Royal Airlines, part of the Montreal based Royal Aviation Group, was a scheduled passenger (and Cargo) service operating flights between half a dozen Canadian cities, as well as international service to a handful of US destinations, and limited destinations in the UK and Germany.

The bulk of service during the airline's history between 1991 and 2001, was flown with the B737-200 and the B727-200 (a combined fleet of 18 aircraft between the two types). International/overseas flights were accommodated with the A310.

I flew with Royal exactly 4 times in the late 90's...yeah, to say my paltry contribution helped their bottom-line would be grossly overstated!

I still recall my first impression of Royal Airlines...I had booked a flight from Toronto-Pearson back home to Vancouver. The flight was booked with a B727-200.

My first "check-in experience" with Royal was memorable...it was the old Terminal 2 at Pearson (named the Aeroquay 1 building)...apparently, the automatic baggage handling system was not in service at the time of my check-in....suitcases were stacked all around the check-in reception hall waiting to be picked up manually with a cart.

As I was walking through the terminal before my flight...seeing the "deserted" luggage in disarray while admiring the old architecture of this very out-dated terminal...I recall at the time thinking "this isn't air travel...this is time travel...in reverse!".

It was definitely one of those flight experiences where you can't help but wonder if you'll be reconnected with your luggage at your destination.

Once onboard, all concerns were alleviated. The customer service of Royal was outstanding...the flight was smooth and the departure and arrival were flawlessly executed...and yes, my bag did arrive with the flight!

One of my greatest memories of B727 air travel overall, unlike flying modern airliners, I never had that sinus congestion feeling for the two days following a flight...bring back the "old school" cabin ventilation!

Based on the positive experience of my first flight with Royal, I did book subsequent flights with them...all with similar customer service experiences (albeit minus the baggage snafus!)...two following flights were on the B727 and one with the B737-200.

In early 2001, Royal Airlines (passenger capacity) was sold/acquired in an all stock purchase by another Canadian carrier...Canada 3000. That would be a very short term arrangement, as Canada 3000 would not be able to survive the unforeseen travel slump following 9/11, and subsequently folded before the end of 2001.

On my return trips to Vancouver in the following years, it was common to see an old B737-200 freighter still wearing the Royal livery colours parked at the south-east cargo ramp of YVR.

Lo and behold, the Royal Cargo fleet (and operations under the Canada 3000 Cargo banner) would be purchased by Ajay Virmani...and would later become re-branded as Cargojet...who soon after assumed the Canada Post business contract long held by Purolator, with a rapid expansion for the Cargojet brand.

As my tribute to Royal Airlines/Royal Aviation, I've re-created one of their B727-200 liveries, C-GRYQ. A 1981 model that was originally delivered to Sterling Airways (OY-SBG), she was acquired by Royal in 1994 following the bankruptcy of Sterling Airways. C/N 22574 later went on to fly with Champion Air...with a somewhat similar tail design, less the dark painted elevators, and remained in active service up until 2009.

Hope you enjoy the photos of this Royal Airlines tribute B727-200...a flight in progress...from CYYZ to CYVR.

Nice shots and interesting backstory.

2 hours ago, John F said:

Nice shots and interesting backstory.

Thanks John...appreciate the comment!

...and a few more photos to complete today's flight into Vancouver...

 

...I guess the ICAO code is kind of dated now for Royal Airlines (ROY)...FSHud directed me to an international arrivals gate...  🙂 

 

...thoroughly enjoying this aircraft...just a joy to hand fly!

Great set of shots  and again another nice paintjob !

cheers 😉

9 hours ago, pmplayer said:

Great set of shots  and again another nice paintjob !

cheers 😉

Thank you!  🙂 

On 9/18/2025 at 5:47 PM, rmeier said:

One of my greatest memories of B727 air travel overall, unlike flying modern airliners, I never had that sinus congestion feeling for the two days following a flight...bring back the "old school" cabin ventilation!

...🙂...True, this is my greatest fear of long-haul (non-stop) flights in a modern airliner...for me, it starts not following but during the flight itself...🙂...

A very nice livery here, simple yet elegant...I don't recall Royal Airlines, but surely remember flying the 737s of Canada 3000...in the SIM...🙂...

Indeed, Canadian aviation is replete with stories of struggle for takeovers and mergers...CP Air and Air Canada's intense rivalry comes to my mind now...

Nice historical bits and remembrances...Thanks for sharing the repaint of this bygone airline...Gone but remembered, as they say...🙂...

16 hours ago, P_7878 said:

...🙂...True, this is my greatest fear of long-haul (non-stop) flights in a modern airliner...for me, it starts not following but during the flight itself...🙂...

Thanks for the feedback!

Back in the early 2000's, before the B727 was officially retired in 2003 by most airlines, I always tried to book my flights on that aircraft...whenever possible. My almost weekly flights out of Cincinnati were typically United for westbound and Delta for eastbound...Delta had numerous B727 flights out of KCVG...slowly, those flights were being substituted with the Comair CRJ200's.

It wasn't just the air quality...back when United and Delta were introducing their A319/A320 fleets, United especially, was very quick to adopt "high density" seating...smaller seats that were as comfortable as a park bench...and my knees were always contacting the seat in front...I used to pay the upgrade for the overwing exit seats on the A320 series.  🙂 

That's not to say the B727's were always super comfortable...nearing their "end of service", aircraft upgrades were no longer happening...there were a few occasions when a seat would swallow you up like bean-bag furniture!  🙂 

Overall, I always enjoyed the B727-200 as a passenger...still miss that aircraft...the noise and smell on the outside...the smooth and quiet ride on the inside. (...and the spectacular view of those wings unfolding on approach!).  🙂 

But it is true...I never felt congestion after flying on the B727...the glory days of commercial aviation...or how I like to remember those flights back in the day!  🙂