The Douglas DC-3 is the most famous aircraft in the history of air passenger transport, produced in 1935 to replace the outdated DC-2. Its original purpose was to offer comfortable air travel across America with a sleeping arrangement; however, the aircraft was later equipped with standard passenger seats. Thanks to its reliability and safety record, the plane became popular among the leading airlines of its time, and its extensive use continued until the arrival of larger four-engine aircraft. More than 10,000 of this type were built in the USA alone. Some of them are still operated today in certain countries in Africa and Asia as a means of transport and have broken all sorts of aviation records for long operational durations.