Flight Details
- Airline: Samaritan’s Purse
- Class: Economy
- Route: Greensboro (GSO) to Greensboro (GSO) via Daytona (DAB)
- Aircraft: Douglas DC-8-72
It’s a sad day, but also a moment of immense gratitude and reflection. Recently, I was given the extraordinary honor of documenting America’s last active Douglas DC-8 mission before this groundbreaking aircraft finally retires.
A plane that shaped the aviation industry for over 70 years is finally saying goodbye. Please join me as we celebrate the legacy of this incredible quad-jet.
The Mission Behind the Metal: Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse goes around the world to help those with physical and spiritual needs. They specialize in emergency relief and development assistance, providing critical supplies like hospitals, water, food, and shelter in the midst of disasters, wars, or infectious disease outbreaks.
Their unique mission is to bring relief, comfort, and physical help to those in their darkest hour, often flying into troubled regions where commercial aid flights cannot reach. The DC-8 was instrumental in allowing them to carry both large amounts of cargo and essential Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) members simultaneously.
Our journey started in Greensboro, North Carolina, where I was invited by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization, to document the final mission of their 56-year-old DC-8.
The Queen of the Skies Takes a Bow
The Douglas DC-8, introduced in 1959 with Delta Airlines, revolutionized air travel alongside the Boeing 707. It flew further, faster, and more economically than its predecessors. While over 500 units were sold and the DC-8 was a common sight in the 60s and 70s, today, only two remain flying: one in Peru, and this particular bird, which sadly went on its last flight with us.
Stepping into the warehouse and seeing the rows of spare parts, including tires and even a spare engine, for one of the rarest planes in the world, the moment felt surreal. Then, I saw her: the beautiful, majestic DC-8. I was instantly grateful to be there.
Inside the Unique Combi
This DC-8 is a rare Combi – a combination freighter and passenger plane.
- Cargo Hold: It can swallow up to two truckloads of cargo, which has been used to transport vital aid around the globe. When asking about the most unusual item carried in the last decade? Not a panda, or elephants—but a lion and a tiger transported from Saipan to Colorado!
- Passenger Cabin: In the back, it features 32 American Airlines seats and a small galley for the crew.
- A Lavatory Time Capsule: During the flight, I took my very last “Lou Review” ever. Nothing can beat the DC-8’s lavatory. It’s a genuine time-travel experience everything is old school, from the buttons to the lock. It was a fitting, high-water mark for the segment!
One of the most remarkable parts of this aircraft is its history. Delivered to Finn Air on Christmas Eve 1968, it served as an all-passenger jet before being repurposed by the French military, and finally configured by Air Transport International into the 10 cargo positions and 32 passenger seats we see today for Samaritan’s Purse.
A Mission of Compassion
This aircraft’s true legacy lies in its humanitarian work. I spoke with Danny, a DC-8 cabin crew member for the last 10 years, who shared a deeply moving memory:
“We would bring as many refugees as we could… we did about 10 missions… for a total of 270 Ukrainians that we evacuated.”
He recalled one flight where a mother and her three musically gifted daughters sang to the crew and passengers for a good 45 minutes, a joyous moment of relief and gratitude in their escape from conflict. Danny’s message to the plane was simply, “Never stop serving.”
The future of Samaritan’s Purse aviation is now transitioning to a former Qantas 767 freighter. While the 767 can carry more cargo, it lacks the DC-8’s crucial combi configuration, the ability to carry both supplies and aid workers (like the disaster assistance relief team or DARTS). As Director of Operations Andrew Cler noted, the DC-8 allowed them to “show up on the ground with the full package.”
The Final Takeoff and Landing
After a thrilling tour, it was time for the short hop from Greensboro to Daytona, and then the return legpotentially the very last flight. Sitting on board felt like any other plane, but it was so much more exciting. Four engines roaring, pushing back, and that final, powerful DC-8 takeoff was utterly special.
Andrew Cler, one of the world’s last DC-8 pilots, shared the emotion of the day: “This is tough. It is very difficult to think that I will never fly this jet again. It’s been a part of our lives for five years.”
The descent into Greensboro marked the end of an era. The atmosphere on board was filled with storytelling, warmth, and shared appreciation for this hard-working bird.
From flipping burgers 20 years ago to documenting the last flight of a global icon, this day filled me with immense gratitude. It’s a reminder that if you follow your passion and do what you love, anything is possible.
To the mighty Douglas DC-8, which served those in need around the world for over half a century: From all aviation lovers across the globe, a heartfelt thank you. You will be missed!
How You Can Help
If you want to support the vital work of Samaritan’s Purse, you can learn more about their projects and find ways to give at their official website. They rely on prayer and support to help those in their darkest hour, bringing critical relief where it is most needed.
This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!
FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
About the Author
Josh Cahill is an award-winning Aviation YouTuber who is reportedly one of the most-watched flight reviewers on the internet. He organised Afghanistan’s first all-female flight together with Kam Air in February 2021 on a flight from Herat to Kabul for which he received the Aviation Achievement Award. His favourite hobby? Flying exotic airlines nobody has ever heard of.
