Modern First Flight Covers?

Most first flight covers I see are from the 1960's or prior. Here in Israel there was some fanfare over a new direct route between Tel Aviv and Boston. Apparently El Al airlines had never flown direct to Boston from Tel Aviv before.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/El...oston-407412

Would have been nice for someone to make a cover for this route. But do people even make modern first flight covers?

Is there a tutorial on the web about how to make a first flight cover for those who are interested?

Not that I have seen - but anyone can do it - and all you need is imagination . I made my own FDCs for an issue in the 80's and sold a large number. I would suggest you start by - when the FF is announced - going to see the senior airline agent in your community and ask that they carry a bag of specially processed mail with them (of course you would need your country's stamp issuing authority's approval).

For extra credit, get both sides of the city pair for each first flight.

For help with that, here are some lists of aerophilately clubs around the world:

http://www.fisa-web.com/Members/members1.html

http://www.fipaero.org/societies/societies.HTML

http://geocities.ws/stamplink/i/xref/1soc-a.htm ... and more!

To help me, please explain the date in the Athens cds

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

The American Air Mail Society used to have a service to notify anyone interested in upcoming first flight covers so people could prepare them for themselves, but I am not sure they have it anymore. I am not sure there are any possible first flight city pairs left anymore these days, other than perhaps airlines who are making their first flights over an already established route.

China has been opening two new airports every month. Some of these will meet your gold standard (new city pairs), while some of these will only be new airport pairs and/or new airline routes.

I was not aware that anyone was turning away FFCs for anything other than new city pairs.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

A nice FDC I have just received. Now need more pages for my covers album!

I'm not 100% sure but I think Tel Aviv -> Boston direct is a first for the route. Before the Boston route the only direct flights from Tel Aviv to the US were for the following cities: Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Philly, NYC Area - but perhaps requires more research. Thanks everyone for your insightful responses on this topic.