Hi, dear flight-report members and readers! In this short FR I'd like to present a classic Boeing 737-300 of Boliviana de Aviacion (BoA) on a short domestic flight from one of the world's highest international airports - La Paz (LPB) to Sucre (SRE), taken on 24 February 2019.
Intro
BoA (IATA code: OB) is one of the most interesting smaller airlines of Latin America. It has 3 2012-2014 built A332s (from Virgin Australia), which operate longhaul flights from Santa Cruz (VVI), located in lowlands in selva, whereas flights within or from/to cities and towns on Altiplano are operated by the narrowbody fleet: 7 B738s, 4 B737s, 4 B733s and 2 CR2s.
B733s are the most vintage part of the OB fleet, having roughly 28 years old age, and all of them have rich history in multiple preceding airlines. Their layout is single-class Y136.
Boeing 737-300 Passenger Operators
As classic B737s are vanishing type in the passenger service (with some of them being converted to freighters), it would be interesting to list the current passenger operators of B737-300. Their layouts are mostly single-class economy (with a very few exceptions).
1) Air Inuit: 1 unit (Y130/Cargo).
2) Air Peace: 5 units (one in C12_Y124).
3) ALK Airlines: 2 units (Y146).
4) Avia Traffic Company: 3 units (Y148).
5) Belavia: 2 units (Y148).
6) Boliviana de Aviacion: 4 units (Y138).
7) Canadian North: 5 units (Y136).
8) Estelar Latinoamerica: 2 units (Y148).
9) Jet2: 5 units (Y148).
10) Jordan Aviation: 2 units (Y148).
11) Kam Air: 6 units (Y143).
12) KlasJet: 2 units (C68).
13) Magnicharters: 5 units.
14) Max Air: 5 units (three in C12_Y128).
15) Nauru Airlines: 2 units (C18Y96 plus C10Y114).
16) NordStar Airlines: 1 unit (Y148).
17) Rutaca Airlines: 3 units (one in C12Y112, one in Y143).
18) SCAT Airlines: 1 unit (Y146).
19) Sepehran Airlines: 6 units (Y144).
20) SkyFRU: 1 unit (Y148).
La Paz El Alto International Airport (LPB)
La Paz airport is located near the El Alto town (a higher and a poorer part of the magnificent La Paz city) at elevation of 4061 metres, which makes it one of the highest international airports in the world. There are no widebody and no longhaul flights from/to LPB, only mid- and short-haul international and domestic. The terminal is quite modern and compact. There is bus service to the city, but as my flight was departing early, I had to take taxi.
The Aircraft
The aircraft of today is 1997-built CP-3077, which flew for quite a number of airlines before joining OB fleet. On the background one can see typical unfinished (to pay less taxes) brick buildings of El Alto town. Since May 2025 this aircraft is stored in Cochabamba (CBB).
Bolivian flag near 1L door
The 1L door.
The Cabin
A view of the front row of the all-economy cabin during boarding.
The Economy Seat
My seat is 3A in the front of the cabin. The seat is old-style with ample padding and feels comfortable.
The seat has antimacassar with OB logo, tray table and soft pocket.
Inside the seat pocket are safety card, airsickness bag, inflight magazine and health card.
The overhead panel is early 737NG-style…
… whereas the overhead bins are certainly 737CL-style.
The Flight
Takeoff from El Alto.
Surprisingly, on such a short flight a small snack is served.
Impressive views of the Bolivian mountain landscapes begin.
A walk around the cabin. As the flight was relatively empty, I was able to take unobstructed photos of the seats. Note that exit row has duo blocks, aligned to the aisle.
The lavatory is vintage.
Some more Bolivian landscapes, belonging to the Amazon basin' slopes of the Andes.
Our shadow moments before landing in SRE.
A couple of photos of the cabin upon disembarkment.
A view of the portside CFM56-3C1 engine.
Our aircraft in SRE.
Thank you for your attention and see you in the next FRs!
