UK
June 1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 21912
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Blue Translucent
- Runout / matrix
VS 21912 A1 [lyre symbol] BRunout, etched, side A
VS 21912 B1 [lyre symbol] BRunout, etched, side B
Vinyl pressings
Airport
by The Motors · 1978
22 pressings12 countriesNew WavePower PopRockPop
Airport was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Airport
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
UK
June 2, 1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 219
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
VS 219 A2 [Utopia Lyre Logo] 1 17 CRunout side A, variant 1
VS 219 B1 [Utopia Lyre Logo] 7 BRunout side B, variant 1
VS . 219 . A-2 [Utopia Lyre Logo] CRunout side A, variant 2
VS. 219. B2. C 2CRunout side B, variant 2
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 21912
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Blue
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS 219
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Green/Red Labels
- Runout / matrix
VS . 219 . A-2 [Etched] [Utopia Lyre Logo] C [Stamped]A side runout
VS. 219. B2. C 2C [Stamped]A Side Runout Variant 2
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin ZS8 9519
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ZS 8 9519-3ARunout side A, stamped
ZS 8 9519-4BRunout side B, stamped
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Virgin ZS8 9519
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZS 8 9519-1BRunout A, stamped, var. 1
ZS 8 9519-3ARunout B, stamped, var. 1
ZS 8 9519-1F̷ AF SSRunout A, var. 2
ZS8 9519-3E̷ AE SSSRunout B, var. 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s21 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Virgin K7141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2097 955First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2097 955First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 15 596 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 15 596 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 15 596 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 15 596 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 219First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD 1610First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | South Africa | Virgin PD 1610First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 21912First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 219First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Virgin ZS8 9519First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Virgin ZS8 9519First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Virgin ZS8 9519First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | UK | Old Gold OG 98307", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
Tracklist
- AAirport4:10
- BCold Love5:05
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Airport are there?
22 vinyl pressings of Airport are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1988.
When was Airport first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Finland, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 21912, released June 1978.
How do I tell if my copy of Airport is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 21912, VS 219, ZS8 9519, K7141) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 21912 A1 [lyre symbol] B and VS 21912 B1 [lyre symbol] B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Airport on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
