Pantheon Airways | Lockheed L-1011-500 | SX-EFQ | 1976-1995

In the 1970s, Greece was facing significant instability. A coup d'etat in 1967 had lead to major political instability, and the country's economy took a major hit in 1972. The junta government nonetheless wanted to keep up with the rest of the world and show them that all was well within the nation. One of the main ways to demonstrate this was via then-state-owned flag carrier Pantheon Airways. Under government control, the carrier expanded rapidly with the purchase of state-of-the-art airliners and grew its route network across the globe, oftentimes beyond what was financially viable. This started a string of mismanagement of the company, leading to heavy losses throughout the end of the 20th century and ending with a near-bankruptcy and the privatisation of Pantheon in 2008. However, the 70s and 80s are considered by many as the golden age of Pantheon, and this time period undoubtedly helped shape the airline's reputation and played a major role in its current shape.

The L-1011 was an unexpected addition to the Greek carrier's fleet. Pantheon Airways, wanting to keep up with Europe's other major airlines, had placed orders for 6 747s, and a follow-up order for 8 747SPs lead many to the assumption that the airline had finished expanding its intercontinental network. Thus, in 1974, the order for 8 L-1011-500s with options for 6 more left many surprised. In fact, the L-1011 was being used as an indirect replacement for the original 747-100/200 series jets, as the jumbos could only be filled up on two routes, Athens-New York and Athens-Montreal-Toronto. The relatively long range of the TriStar, plus the fact that it had one less engine than the 747, made it an attractive option for the airline, which was still looking to expand, however wanted to do so more profitably.

The TriStar was first delivered to Athens on February 6th, 1980, entering service 16 days later on the Athens-London route. In mid-March, the L-1011 started flying long haul routes, specifically inaugurating flights to Boston. The trijet was beloved by passengers, who appreciated the incredible spaciousness and quiet engines of the jet, and pilots, who were fascinated by its incredible technology. Management also was fond of the aircraft, eventually growing the TriStar fleet to a dozen planes that flew from the capital of Greece to North America, Asia and Africa. Despite its success for the airline, after just 14 years of service, Pantheon Airways withdrew the type from service in mid-1994, replaced in part by second-hand 747SPs and in part by new 767-300ERs. The TriStars only wore this single livery, and the first one is preserved at the Pantheon Aviation Museum at Athens International Airport.

SX-EFQ, christened Hephaestus. was the 5th L-1011 delivered to Pantheon, entering service in June 1981. The aircraft operated with the Greek flag carrier until 1993, when it was stored and later scrapped for parts. Just like all L-1011s in the fleet it was configured with 28 Olympian Class and 220 Traveller Class seats. Notably, during its short life it launched the short-lived Athens-Mumbai-Kuala Lumpur service on May 18th, 1986, a route that only operated for 11 months before being cancelled.