Over the vast expanses of Alaska, where horizons stretch to infinity and nature imposes its harsh rules, an airline that has become a true legend soars—Desert Air. Despite its name evoking thoughts of sandy dunes, this company embodies the spirit of Alaska: resilience, reliability, and freedom. Desert Air is not just a carrier; it is a vital link connecting remote corners of the state, unreachable by road or rail. The company’s fleet, where classic meets modern, is its true highlight.
History and Mission
Desert Air Alaska is based at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the heart of the state’s aviation life. The company specializes in cargo and charter flights, delivering everything from food and equipment to mail and construction materials to Alaska’s most inaccessible regions. Its mission is simple yet crucial: sustaining life in remote communities where planes are often the only connection to the outside world.
There’s little public information about the company, but that’s no surprise—advertising isn’t their focus. They do what they do best: fly where others wouldn’t dare, using aircraft that are living history.
Legends of the Sky
Desert Air Alaska’s fleet makes it truly unique. There are no shiny new jets here, only time-tested machines proven by the harsh conditions of the “Snow State.” Let’s meet these stars up close.
Douglas DC-3: Timeless Classic
The DC-3 is more than an airplane; it’s a symbol of aviation’s golden age. Designed in the 1930s, it remains in service, and Desert Air is among the operators keeping this legend aloft. These planes, sometimes over 80 years old, still fly over Alaska, delivering cargo to short, unpaved airstrips. Their rugged construction, ability to land almost anywhere, and impressive payload make the DC-3 ideal for the region.
But don’t mistake them for relics. Desert Air keeps its DC-3s in top condition, with engines and systems regularly upgraded. They’re like a trusty old truck that only gets more reliable with age. Watching a DC-3 land on a gravel strip in the Alaskan wilderness makes you realize that not everything under the moon grows old.
History and Mission
Desert Air Alaska is based at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the heart of the state’s aviation life. The company specializes in cargo and charter flights, delivering everything from food and equipment to mail and construction materials to Alaska’s most inaccessible regions. Its mission is simple yet crucial: sustaining life in remote communities where planes are often the only connection to the outside world.
There’s little public information about the company, but that’s no surprise—advertising isn’t their focus. They do what they do best: fly where others wouldn’t dare, using aircraft that are living history.
Legends of the Sky
Desert Air Alaska’s fleet makes it truly unique. There are no shiny new jets here, only time-tested machines proven by the harsh conditions of the “Snow State.” Let’s meet these stars up close.
Douglas DC-3: Timeless Classic
The DC-3 is more than an airplane; it’s a symbol of aviation’s golden age. Designed in the 1930s, it remains in service, and Desert Air is among the operators keeping this legend aloft. These planes, sometimes over 80 years old, still fly over Alaska, delivering cargo to short, unpaved airstrips. Their rugged construction, ability to land almost anywhere, and impressive payload make the DC-3 ideal for the region.
But don’t mistake them for relics. Desert Air keeps its DC-3s in top condition, with engines and systems regularly upgraded. They’re like a trusty old truck that only gets more reliable with age. Watching a DC-3 land on a gravel strip in the Alaskan wilderness makes you realize that not everything under the moon grows old.
Basler BT-67: DC-3 on Steroids
If the DC-3 is a classic, the Basler BT-67 is its modern reinterpretation. Built from the DC-3 airframe, the BT-67 undergoes a complete overhaul at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, it boasts impressive thrust, allowing it to fly faster and farther than the original. The fuselage is lengthened, the airframe reinforced, and the avionics upgraded to modern standards. It’s still a DC-3 at heart but with a 21st-century edge. Desert Air uses the BT-67 for demanding tasks—hauling heavy cargo, operating in extreme weather, and even special missions like scientific research or polar deliveries.
Those who’ve seen the BT-67 often describe it as meeting an action movie hero: the familiar DC-3 silhouette, but with the roar of turbines and confidence in every move. Desert Air knows how to push these machines to their limits.
Preferred PT-3TP: Rare Bird
Finally, the fleet’s gem—the Preferred PT-3TP. Another DC-3 variant, this one takes a unique approach. The PT-3TP aims to breathe new life into the classic airframe while preserving its simplicity and adding modern technology. Such planes are rare, and Desert Air’s use of them reflects their love for unconventional solutions.
Like the BT-67, the PT-3TP features turboprop engines but emphasizes fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance. It’s perfect for routes where reliability and the ability to operate with limited resources are critical. For Desert Air, flying to places where the nearest hangar may be hundreds of miles away, this is vital.
If the DC-3 is a classic, the Basler BT-67 is its modern reinterpretation. Built from the DC-3 airframe, the BT-67 undergoes a complete overhaul at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, it boasts impressive thrust, allowing it to fly faster and farther than the original. The fuselage is lengthened, the airframe reinforced, and the avionics upgraded to modern standards. It’s still a DC-3 at heart but with a 21st-century edge. Desert Air uses the BT-67 for demanding tasks—hauling heavy cargo, operating in extreme weather, and even special missions like scientific research or polar deliveries.
Those who’ve seen the BT-67 often describe it as meeting an action movie hero: the familiar DC-3 silhouette, but with the roar of turbines and confidence in every move. Desert Air knows how to push these machines to their limits.
Preferred PT-3TP: Rare Bird
Finally, the fleet’s gem—the Preferred PT-3TP. Another DC-3 variant, this one takes a unique approach. The PT-3TP aims to breathe new life into the classic airframe while preserving its simplicity and adding modern technology. Such planes are rare, and Desert Air’s use of them reflects their love for unconventional solutions.
Like the BT-67, the PT-3TP features turboprop engines but emphasizes fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance. It’s perfect for routes where reliability and the ability to operate with limited resources are critical. For Desert Air, flying to places where the nearest hangar may be hundreds of miles away, this is vital.
Why It’s Special
Desert Air Alaska is more than an airline. It’s a team of people who live and breathe aviation, understanding that their work isn’t just business—it’s about sustaining life in Alaska. Their pilots are masters, capable of landing a DC-3 on a tiny strip in a blizzard. Their mechanics are wizards, keeping these retro machines in pristine condition. Their planes are a bridge between past and present, between aviation’s romance and the harsh reality of the Last Frontier.
Desert Air’s fleet is also a reminder that some technologies never grow obsolete. The DC-3, BT-67, and PT-3TP prove that a well-designed plane can serve for decades if cared for with love. In a world increasingly focused on drones and supersonic jets, Desert Air Alaska stays true to proven solutions that thrive where others fail.
Looking to the Future
How long can Desert Air Alaska keep its DC-3s and their modernized variants in the sky? Judging by their approach, for decades to come. Parts for these planes are still available, and the team’s expertise works miracles. The fleet may eventually welcome new aircraft, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Desert Air is the spirit of Alaska, and it will endure as long as there’s a sky above and wings soaring through it.
Desert Air Alaska is more than an airline. It’s a team of people who live and breathe aviation, understanding that their work isn’t just business—it’s about sustaining life in Alaska. Their pilots are masters, capable of landing a DC-3 on a tiny strip in a blizzard. Their mechanics are wizards, keeping these retro machines in pristine condition. Their planes are a bridge between past and present, between aviation’s romance and the harsh reality of the Last Frontier.
Desert Air’s fleet is also a reminder that some technologies never grow obsolete. The DC-3, BT-67, and PT-3TP prove that a well-designed plane can serve for decades if cared for with love. In a world increasingly focused on drones and supersonic jets, Desert Air Alaska stays true to proven solutions that thrive where others fail.
Looking to the Future
How long can Desert Air Alaska keep its DC-3s and their modernized variants in the sky? Judging by their approach, for decades to come. Parts for these planes are still available, and the team’s expertise works miracles. The fleet may eventually welcome new aircraft, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Desert Air is the spirit of Alaska, and it will endure as long as there’s a sky above and wings soaring through it.