World's oldest active AirBus has been retired by Iran Air after a remarkable 41-year run

The world’s oldest plane, an Airbus A300 flown by Iran Air, has been retired after more than 41 years in service.

Registered as EP-IBG, the aircraft made its first flight in 1984 before joining the carrier in 2009.

Over its career it logged nearly 72,000 flight hours and more than 25,000 cycles.

Its retirement in June tells the story of how Iran Air kept the Airbus A300 flying long after most airlines moved on.

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Oldest plane takes final flight

The A300B4 known as EP-IBG entered service in December 1986 and spent time with airlines in Finland, Turkey, and the UK before joining Iran Air.

It became a workhorse for the flag carrier, flying short and medium routes across the region.

Records show its final journey took place on June 12, from Jeddah to Isfahan.

The aircraft stood out as the oldest plane in active use, a title that made it unique in the aviation industry.

The Airbus A300 was introduced in the 1970s as the first widebody aircraft powered by two engines.

It offered lower costs and higher passenger numbers at a time when most long-haul jets needed four engines.

While other airlines retired the A300 long ago, Iran Air kept flying the model because sanctions limited its access to new aircraft.

The oldest plane in Iran Air’s fleet became a symbol of how the airline managed to stretch the lifespan of retired aircraft far beyond normal expectations.

Iran Air’s fleet choices have been shaped by these restrictions.

With modern planes off-limits, the airline relied on older models that required heavy maintenance.

EP-IBG stayed in service longer than any other Airbus A300, but keeping such an old aircraft airworthy became more difficult as parts declined.

The retired aircraft highlighted the balance between engineering skill and the limits of aging technology.

Iran Air faces an aging fleet

Iran Air still has several Airbus A300-600R aircraft, which now average over 32 years of age.

Some remain active according to tracking data, though further retirements are expected.

This means the airline’s fleet will continue to age until new aircraft can be acquired.

The reliance on retired aircraft shows how sanctions continue to shape Iran Air’s operations.

EP-IBG carried 254 passengers in a two-class layout, with 17 seats in business and 237 in economy.

Over its career it logged more than 25,000 cycles, a total more typical of narrowbody aircraft designed for shorter trips.

Its long service life shows how Iran Air’s engineers managed to keep the Airbus A300 flying with limited resources.

The oldest plane in the airline’s fleet became a case study in extending aircraft service life well beyond the industry standard.

The Airbus A300 program played a key role in establishing Airbus as a major aircraft manufacturer.

It led to later widebodies such as the A330 and A350.

With EP-IBG retired, one of the last active A300B4s has left commercial service.

For Iran Air, it signals the steady disappearance of aircraft that once defined its international operations.

The oldest plane in the world has now joined the long list of retired aircraft that shaped modern aviation history.

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