I flew on a Swissair CV990A "Coronado" (HB-ICA)between Geneva and Bangkok in 1964. What is still vivid in my mind is the planes tremendous acceleration on take off. It really threw you back into your seat and made a hell of a racket. I have never felt anything like it since, even on a B777 or B747.
One of the stops on this flight was Bombay in India. A violent and very spectacular thunderstorm (lots of lightning) was fast approaching the airfield as we taxied out and not wanting to get caught in it, or on the ground by it, the pilot did a full power "ballistic" climb to cruise altitude (36,000 feet). Took off, gear up jet fighter style the moment we left the ground, nose up into a steep climb and full throttle on all the way up! It was a real buzz.

I was thrilled to be allowed up into the cockpit during the flight and remember the captain (He and his crew took over the plane at Bombay) telling me that it was the only airplane that he had flown (outside Hawker Hunters for the Swiss Airforce) that gave him a "hair standing up on the back of the neck buzz " through its "kick in the back" power when the engines were spooled up for takeoff.
I remember that it was very noisy on take off. (I am reminded of the 990A when ever I hear a military jet take off at an airshow) The pilot who let me into the cockpit was also rated on Caravelles and DC8's, but said that he preferred the 990A.
It was nicknamed "the Maserati of the air" by captain Rudolpho Bay, founder of "Spantax" because of its power and speed and it still holds many point to point speed records for airliners. Captain Bay once said that "Once you flew a Coronado, you would never want to fly anything else."
I agree

--David Wood

I observed many 990s taking off and landing in San Diego through a couple decades. The most recent operations I witnessed were Denver Ports of Call jets. What truly impressed me about these rakish space-age airplanes was their fast takeoffs. They looked like they were going so fast that the tires might catch on fire, then rotation and climb. In just a few moments they'd be way, way up like a dart in the clouds. I recall their left departure over Mexico taking mere seconds. I could see their rather high speed up there too. But alas they were out of sight.

--Daniel

As a 13-year old, I flew in a Convair 990 from Dulles, near Washington, DC, to Texas. I can't remember if we flew in to Love Field or the old Greater Southwest airport. I do remember the a/c having a series of black and white TV monitors in the cabin connected to a camera which must have been attached to the nosegear...you could see fuzzy b&w pictures at takeoff and landing.

--RBLloyd

Convair's use of a thick skin made them extremely quiet inside while cruising. Also the takeoff experience was amazing. I also thought the flight deck was fighter like.

All Convair airliners were built in San Diego (in plant one and two), except for a few Convairliners (twins) produced under contract out of the country.

The first flight of a 990 was from San Diego to North Island Naval Air Station. And that was its home for testing prior to the FAA testing at the Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB. The test pilots were Don Germeraad (Chief) and Phil Prophet.

The Convair B-58 was powered by GE Turbojets, as were the 880s. 990s had that engine with a ducted aft-fan at the rear.

--Greeneyes

I was First Officer, for the CV990A, for APSA Peru airlines, this airplane was the Cadillac of the air.

--Anonymous

In your listing of airlines using the 990, I'm surprised you missed Northeast Airlines (NEA). They had ONE. I was surprised to learn they even had THAT one, as their fleet was mostly FH-227's, and referred to as "Yellow Birds" due to the yellow and white color scheme. When Delta Air Lines purchased NEA, the 990, it seems, was already a gonner. Too bad... as a Delta employee, I was looking forward to actually seeing it. Another site is selling an 880 model in NEA colors, but I must say, I don't remember them having any of them.

--Kenny

In looking back over my history of air travel, having flown aboard a large majority of the commercial jet liners ever built, I guess i consider myself lucky to have been aboard a Convair 990 in 1964, as i emmigrated from S. America to the U.S.

I was aboard one operated by the Brasilian airline Varig. Boarding it in Sao Paulo, after a lengthy delay on the ground prior to departure awaiting the replacement of an engine part, my journey to a new land and life began. During an era relatively free from, among other things, current security restrictions, i had the enviable privilege of being granted permission to make a very brief visit to the cockpit during our flight. The trip was smooth & without incident, making several stops along the way. Dont travel much by air these days so each opportunity is certainly special and memorable. I havent forgotten my trip aboard the Convair 990.

--Anonymous

I remember a school trip to Idlewild International Airport when I was in the 9th grade. One of my classmates' older brother was a junior exec. with American Airlines. We were given a complete tour inside and out of a new 990 Astrojet. It was the first time I was ever on a jet. I'll never forget it. Commercial air travel in the 60's was so different. Flying was still for the well to do.

--Anonymous