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March 25, 2026Into the Jungle with a Legend: Flying Columbia’s DC-3
Written by Ediney Ribero
I’ve always had a great admiration for the Douglas DC-3, and in 2024 I learned that the Douglas DC-3 (HK1315) belonging to Allas Colombia Airlines was the oldest commercial aircraft in operation in the world — and it was flying regularly! So, in November 2024, I decided to go to Colombia to fly on a DC-3 for the first time.
I left São Paulo, Brazil, and flew to Bogotá on an Avianca A320. From Bogotá, I took a bus to the city of Villavicencio, about 200 km away, where my adventure began. Villavicencio Airport is quite small and serves as a gateway to the Colombian Amazon. There are numerous flights to small towns in the middle of the jungle, and Allas Colombia operates various types of aircraft, including DC-3s, especially HK1315. The flights are very popular for locals as it’s the easiest option to reach the remote villages in the jungle. I had to wait three days until I received a seat for one of their flights.
This aircraft was built in 1942, making it the oldest commercial aircraft still in operation in the world. Upon arriving at Villavicencio Airport, I met Juan, an Allas employee who managed to get me on a flight deep into the Colombian jungle. The flights are not weekly but operate to various destinations and, as he told me himself, “they are always full.” I paid the equivalent of 400 US dollars for a round-trip flight that included stops at two locations, with three landings and three takeoffs — it couldn’t have been better.
On the appointed day, I arrived very early at Vanguardia Airport in Villavicencio (VVC/SKVV).
Check-in took place in a small square at the airport, but boarding was in the main hall. I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw the DC-3 coming towards me; it was so exciting!
Along with me were indigenous people, logging workers, a group from an NGO, and a large amount of cargo. Passengers and freight were accommodated together. We then took off for the first leg to the town of Guerima, where we landed on a very improvised airstrip. The sound of the old engines felt like music to me.
Our first landing was in the town of Guerima, about an hour and a half after taking off from Villavicencio. Guerima is a small village in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, accessible only by plane or boat. All passengers were allowed to disembark, and I took the opportunity to speak with Commander Vivas Amaya, a remarkably kind and welcoming person.
I told him that I had come all the way from Brazil just to fly on this iconic aircraft, the DC-3. He looked at me in amazement and said, “Then come up to the cockpit with me!” I could hardly believe it. For the remainder of the journey, I stood right behind the commander.
We took off from Guerima, and I was already in the cockpit, standing behind the captain, enjoying what was truly the flight of my life.
We then landed in another small town in the rainforest, Barranco Minas.
After a short stop, we took off again. This time, there was a coffin in the cargo hold with a body inside. The smell was not very pleasant — but that is part of the reality of flying in remote regions of Colombia.
Finally, we returned to Villavicencio after several hours of flying. I felt completely fulfilled after this adventure through the Colombian skies in a Douglas DC-3 — a dream come true.
Reminds me of stories in Propliner magazine back in the 80s! Fantastic report Ediny!
Thanks, Paul.