Aircraft Read more on Wikipedia
IATA IL8ICAO IL18
Ilyushin IL18
Ilyushin TravelerPulse profile
Soviet turboprop airliner that defined medium-haul travel.
First flight
1957
Category
Narrow-body turboprop
Seating
75–122
Range
6,500 km
Engines
Four Ivchenko AI-20 turboprops
Status
Mostly retired
The Ilyushin Il-18 is a four-engine turboprop airliner developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1950s. Designed to meet Aeroflot's need for a reliable medium-to-long-range passenger aircraft, it entered service in 1959 and became one of the most widely used Soviet airliners of its era.
The Il-18 was exported to numerous airlines and air forces across Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia, earning a reputation for ruggedness and reliability. Its Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines gave it a strong performance record in varied climates and conditions.
While largely retired from passenger service, a number of Il-18 airframes continue to operate in cargo, survey, and military roles. The aircraft played a foundational role in building Soviet civil aviation infrastructure during the Cold War era.
Notable operators
Aeroflot was the primary operator, with significant fleets also operated by CSA Czechoslovak Airlines, Cubana, LOT Polish Airlines, and various African carriers.
Notable facts
- ›The Il-18 first flew on 4 July 1957, with service entry in April 1959.
- ›Over 600 aircraft were built at the Khrunichev factory in Moscow.
- ›The Il-18D variant extended range to approximately 6,500 km.
- ›A maritime patrol derivative, the Il-38, was developed from the Il-18 airframe.
- ›The type was widely exported and served with more than 20 operators worldwide.
This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.
Latest news
MSFS Addons· 8/8/2026
Nemeth's Ilyushin Il-18 is the Soviet propliner MSFS 2024 wanted, but it arrived as a "first milestone"
Read at MSFS Addons
Defense Feeds· 9/28/2026
Ilyushin Il-20: Why Is This Russian Spy Plane Still Flying?
Read at Defense Feeds
thresholdx.net· 5/4/2026
RuSky Group Announce the Development of the Ilyushin IL-18 for X-Plane 11
Read at thresholdx.net
Simple Flying· 11/21/2021
Huge Turboprop: The Story Of The Ilyushin Il-18
Read at Simple Flying
Key Aero· 8/20/2020
Ilyushin Il-18: Soviet Turboprop Triumph
Read at Key Aero
AirlineReporter· 5/22/2013
Flying on an Air Koryo Ilyushin IL-18 in North Korea
Read at AirlineReporter
NK News· 3/12/2024
North Korea takes top communist moms sightseeing on rare flights to nowhere
Read at NK News
ch-aviation· 2/9/2024
Kazakhstan's Irma Air Service launches Il-18 operations
Read at ch-aviation
Operators
No operator data available.
About on Wikipedia
Ilyushin Il-18
Soviet medium- to long-range airliner with 4 turboprop engines, 1957
The Ilyushin Il-18 is a large turboprop airliner that first flew in 1957 and became one of the best known Soviet aircraft of its era. The Il-18 was one of the Soviet Union's principal airliners for several decades and was widely exported. Due to the aircraft's durability, many examples remain…
Read on WikipediaText from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA. May be out of date — verify important details.
