Tupolev Tu-154A CCCP-85109, c/n 75A109, in the classic Aeroflot colour scheme, circa 1978.

Tupolev Tu-154B-2 HA-LCG, c/n 75A127, of Malev Hungarian Airlines, circa 1976. The airline operated 18 Tu-154A, B and B-2 versions from 1973 until they were replaced by Boeing 737s. The last revenue flight was in March 2001.

Tupolev Tu-154M, B-2629, c/n 92A919, of Sichuan Airlines, circa 1998. One of four Chinese airlines to operate the Tu-154, it flew five Tu-154Ms for around ten years in the 1990s.

Tupolev Tu-154M SP-LCL, c/n 89A812, of LOT Polish Airlines (Polskie Linie), circa 1994. Tu-154s replaced LOT'S ageing IL-18s from 1985 onwards, eventually operating 14 Tu-154Ms until 1995.

Tupolev Tu-154M LZ-HMW, c/n 85A707, of Balkan Holidays Air (BH Air) is one of four leased Tu-154s operated by the company.

Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85720, c/n 91A902, is one of 29 Tu-154s in the Kras Air fleet. Like many Russian airlines, Kras Air's aircraft sport a variety of old, new and hybrid colour schemes - this is the current 'official' one.

Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85688, c/n 90A859, of S7 Siberia Airlines wearing the Landor-designed 'all together now' colour scheme introduced in 2005 when Sibir Airlines was rebranded. The airline is one of Russia's largest operator of the type.

Tupolev's Tu-154 first took to the air on October 3, 1968 and production continued until June 2006 by which time 935 aircraft had been built. This Belavia aircraft is a B-2 variant that could seat up to 180 passengers.

A number of airforces have had Tu-154s in their inventories, mostly in the transport role. This aircraft when photographed in 1995 was operated by the Czech Air Force. The air arm still has two of the type in service.

In June 1985, the final version of the Tu-154 entered service with Aeroflot. Among the improvements to the Tu-154M were more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, plus clamshell-type thrust reversers on the outboard engines. About to touchdown at Corfu is Slovak Airlines Tu-154M, OM-AAA.