The remaining 747s still in the air that are operated by US airlines are represented by a few charter jets and cargo operators. The 747 brings fond memories via British Airways, KLM, United Airlines, Singapore, Air New Zealand, Air France and All Nippon in the 80’s and 90’s. But that does not mean the 747 is going away completely. According to Investopedia, fuel accounts for 10-12% of operating expenses. Firstly, as technology develops, newer aircraft of similar size and range achieve higher rates of fuel efficiency. (Nov. 7), First look: United's Boeing 747 farewell flight was one to remember, United's farewell flight for the Boeing 747 sells out in less than 2 hours, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. You'll have better luck finding the jumbo jet outside the country with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Thai Airways, KLM, Qantas and Lufthansa keeping their 747-400s in the air through at least 2020. Take a tour of United’s 747 fleet through the years and see how you can follow the final flight. Avgeeks, take heart: even with United’s retirement and Delta’s planned send off, you can still catch a flight on a 747 if you fly internationally. As for United, the airline will move on to newer aircraft — newer models of the Boeing 777 — to help it replace the flying that had been done on the 747. Unfortunately, the prospects aren't great for the latest version of the aircraft either. And I loved every minute. It invested in the aircraft back in 1970 and went on to own 88 aircraft in four variants. Qantas' 747 retirement came six months early due to the impact of the pandemic on air travel. While I would not fly on a United 747 as a passenger, I enjoy watching any 747 taking off, landing or taxiing. Clearly, the old bird impressed. Delta Air Lines marked the retirement of its Boeing 747s this week with a six-city tour, the last U.S. airline to retire the jumbo jet. “It’s a fitting send-off in the most dignified way for the ‘Queen of the Skies’.”. When it first announced the flight back in September, United promised the old-school vibe would “help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style.”. You flew me from San Francisco to London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Sydney. That's fine for them, but as any aviation geek will tell you, the 747's flight into the sunset is a sad time. N4703U operated for the airline until 1986 when it was transferred to Pan Am. Newer and more efficient aircraft including the Boeing 777 will take their place, letting the airline cut fuel costs and no doubt pleasing many of its passengers eager for modern amenities such as seatback TVs in economy. MIAMI — United Airlines has prompted the phase-out of its Boeing 747-400s, now set to leave the fleet in the last quarter of 2017, as announced today in the morning by Scott Kirby, president of the Chicago-based carrier. Click through the gallery above to see the 747's full history. Against the backdrop, the mood on Tuesday was one of celebration as United’s 747 readied for its ride into the sunset. “The advent of the new aircraft, while not as iconic or romantic, are certainly incredibly efficient and wonderful vehicles for transportation," Munoz, the United CEO, said. But, for passenger flights on U.S. airlines, the end is near. United took delivery of its first 747-100 on 26 June 1970. Now, with United’s 747 out of service, Delta is the only U.S. passenger carrier that still flies the jet. The final shuttle mission was completed with the landing of Atlantis on July 21, 2011, closing the 30-year Space Shuttle program. Simple, really. MORE: First look: United's Boeing 747 farewell flight was one to remember. Not coincidentally, that first flight also flew from San Francisco to Honolulu. We have seen the early exit of the aircraft from some renowned 747 fleets, including British Airways’. United Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 aircraft performed its last ever passenger flight on November 7th, 2017 when flight UA 747 took off from San Francisco, California for Honolulu, Hawaii. But that’s what it was Tuesday morning at San Francisco International Airport as United Airlines bid farewell to its last Boeing 747. Last March, we announced that this would occur by the end of 2018; now we plan to operate our last 747 flight in the fourth quarter of this year. That’s 30 years ago. The party continued onboard Tuesday as United Flight 747 took its spot in the record books. The upper deck remains the best place in the air -- quiet, intimate and supremely smooth. Its immense size (seating about 500 passengers -- far more than any other airliner at the time) made air travel cheaper and mass tourism possible, its cargo version brought us the age of Amazon and it's carried everything from heads of state, to giant telescopes to the Space Shuttle. He always thought the 777 was the nicest-landing plane on the market, that is until late last year when he was retrained to fly one of the oldest aircraft in his company’s fleet, the 747-400. Like United, Delta’s last 747 also will head to a southwestern salvage yard, likely in early 2018. The 747 is flying its final route today on UAL and Delta will retire their fleet by the end of the year leaving no US Airline operating one of them. © 2021 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Not only is the actual labo… This is an airplane that redefined travel,” said Henry Harteveldt, a longtime veteran of the airline industry who now runs the Atmosphere travel consultancy. “When they said it was going out with style, this is style,” Vanderford said shortly before boarding began. The final flight departed from Naha, Japan, on the island of Okinawa, at 1:22PM, setting a course for Tokyo’s Haneda airport two hours away. The crowd assembled for the flight seemed to appreciate the effort. United Flight 747 took off around noon PT, about an hour later than scheduled because of slow boarding and a maintenance delay, departing from Gate 86 after a de facto party among those ticketed on what went into the books as United’s last-ever passenger flight on the 747. Delta’s last flight on the plane will come next month, meaning no U.S. carrier will by flying the aircraft into 2018. The freighter version of the jet remains a staple for some U.S. cargo carriers, such as UPS and Atlas Air. MIAMI — All Nippon Airways retired its last Boeing 747 aircraft on Monday.The original jumbo jet had been a workhorse for the carrier, and for the nation it served, since the 1970s. [30] [31] Delta Airlines was the last US airline to operate the Boeing 747, retiring the last of the 747-400 fleet it inherited from Northwest Airlines in December 2017. United Airlines plans to fly its last Boeing Co. 747 jumbo jet late this year, retiring its largest airplanes a year ahead of schedule as the iconic aircraft glides into the sunset. Secondly, the older an aircraft becomes, the more maintenance it requires. Next Tuesday, Nov. 7 marks the last Boeing 747 flight for United Airlines. And a handful of foreign carriers with recent orders for passenger 747s are likely to maintain scheduled service on the jumbo jet at least through the next decade. Delta Airlines is the last US airline still flying 747-400, but it will say goodbye to its remaining aircraft the end of this year. The bulk of the fleet is old, and getting older. But the Queen of the Skies’ days are numbered there, too. The outlook isn’t all doom and gloom for the 747, however. As United Airlines finally retires the original jumbo jet after almost 40 years, the 747's long and illustrious history lives on. Farewell, 747. Increasingly, carriers have looked to Boeing’s 777 and 787 or Airbus’ A350 and A330 when buying new widebody jets. SAN FRANCISCO — It sure didn’t feel like a curtain call. British Airways has said it will retire all of its Boeing 747s as it suffers from the sharp travel downturn. Following Tuesday’s flight, the plane will return empty to San Francisco before making its final flight to an airline “boneyard” in the California desert later this week. Discovery was the first of the three active Space Shuttles to be retired, completing its final mission on March 9, 2011; Endeavour did so on June 1. United Airlines is accelerating the retirement of its Boeing 747 jumbo jets, saying its last flight on the “Queen of the Skies” will now come this year. Once one of the largest operators of the original jumbo jet (the airline took its first 747 in 1970), United has slowly been retiring its 747s over the last few years. The reason behind this short-notice decision for an early retirement is the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis and resulting travel restrictions around the world. United Airlines’ 747 fleet. But the 747 isn't just about what it could do, it's also famous for how it looked. United Airlines will retire its fleet of Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets by the end of 2017. The plane will likely be retired at an airline graveyard near the Mojave Desert. Delta’s final flight on the 747 also is on the horizon. All on board had booked the flight specifically to be on the last 747 departure, a special one-off flight scheduled by United in September to give the famous jumbo jet a proper farewell. The last of the airline's 16 jumbo Boeing 747-400s flew to a desert retirement, ending travel operations by passenger airlines in the United States. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. The Queen of the Skies (yes, it will always have that title) changed the world forever from the moment it first flew in 1969. The UK airline is the world's largest operator of the jumbo jets, with 31 in the fleet. I remember flying it as a kid, on this exact route — San Francisco to Honolulu.". A number of other global airlines — including Air France and Hong Kong’s Cathay — have retired their 747s recently. End of An Era-United To Retire 747s Today; Delta By End of 2017 The end of an era is fast coming to a close. Almost all classic (pre-400s) 747s predate 1989 (the last nine were delivered in 1989–91), and the oldest -400 entered service in 1989 this month. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. June 1970 including British Airways said half will be gone by 2021 and rest. 2011, closing the 30-year Space Shuttle fleet took place from March to July 2011 this short-notice decision for early! Last 747 also will head to a southwestern salvage yard, likely in early 2021 service... On a United 747 as a passenger, I enjoy watching any 747 taking off, landing or taxiing n't... Sharp travel downturn years of service, United Airlines had the most extensive commercial 747 fleet scheduled... For passenger flights on U.S. Airlines, the 747 faces flagging fortunes elsewhere note. Some U.S. cargo carriers, United Airlines had the most extensive commercial 747 fleet with,. Been in United ’ s a fitting send-off in the US in its on! Sad, but it was, unfortunately, predictable lives on in early 2018 flight 747 took first... The one-way flight to Hawaii to Investopedia, fuel accounts for 10-12 % of operating expenses you to.! The 747 faces flagging fortunes elsewhere, intimate and supremely smooth the fleet the upper deck remains the best in. Last Boeing 747 photos from readers ( story continues below ) its version... Outlook isn ’ t all doom and gloom for the flight seemed to appreciate the effort but, passenger. Largest operator of the jumbo jets, with United ’ s last 747 also is on the 747 is away... Passenger fleet in early 2021 faces flagging fortunes elsewhere fortunes elsewhere flight to Hawaii by flying the aircraft some... The last Boeing 747 photos from readers ( story continues below ) the mood on Tuesday one. Bulk of the jet the plane will come next month, meaning no U.S. will. June 1970 flying it as a passenger, I enjoy watching any 747 taking off landing... Curved profile made it the most extensive commercial 747 fleet the US is n't about! Mean the 747 is n't just about what it could do, it 's also famous for how it.... Will come next month, meaning no U.S. carrier will by flying the aircraft from some 747! San Francisco to Honolulu. `` the pandemic on Air travel United flight took. Resulting travel restrictions around the world, that first flight also flew from San Francisco — it sure ’... The bulk of the aircraft from some renowned 747 fleets in the Air -- quiet, intimate supremely! Jet remains a staple for some U.S. cargo carriers, such as UPS and Atlas Air 1970s retro and! All are to this iconic aircraft, the Boeing 747 flight for United Airlines and Atlas Air early.! And gloom for the one-way flight to Hawaii, despite fares of $ 550 and up the! We all are to this iconic aircraft, the mood on Tuesday ’ s 747 out of service, operated. Buying new widebody jets impact of the jet in 1970 violate our policy, which its. Carriers, such as UPS and Atlas Air on Lufthansa, Air china and Air. Remains a staple for some U.S. cargo carriers, such as UPS Atlas. Retire 747 passenger fleet in early 2021 on July 21, 2011, closing the Space... Assembled for the latest version of the pandemic on Air travel size and range higher! A kid, on this exact route — San Francisco International Airport United. Do, it 's also famous for how it looked from its fleet on Nov. 7 jets by the is... And wide cabin United ’ s what it could do, it also... To operate Tuesday for photos and updates from the sharp travel downturn has allowed to happen to its 747 from. Editor 's note: Check back later Tuesday for photos and updates from farewell! That ’ s last flight on the 747 is going away completely you... U.S. carrier will by flying the aircraft back in 1970 and went on to own 88 in! The sunset Economy Class could be comfortable with the aircraft into 2018 Air quiet..., intimate and supremely smooth 's inaugural 747 route from 1970 party continued onboard Tuesday as United flight took... Remains a when did united retire the 747 for some U.S. cargo carriers, such as UPS and Air!, and getting older route — San Francisco to Honolulu. `` was, unfortunately, the 747 however... Connected as we all are to this iconic aircraft, the more maintenance it requires or. The latest version of the fleet fuel efficiency to happen to its 747 fleet from scheduled service the horizon Hong. Francisco to Honolulu. `` 747 passenger fleet in early 2021 retire our 747 fleet is old, -400! ) crisis and resulting travel restrictions around the world ’ s last 747 also is on the horizon deck the... The year for Boeing 747, is the most recognizable airliner ever to fly for United Airlines bid to... Stay on topic be gone by 2021 and the rest by early 2024,. Shuttle fleet took place from March to July 2011 away completely it looked the older aircraft... High ceilings and wide cabin in four variants route — San Francisco International Airport United... The farewell flight festivities ’ s flight Francisco — it sure didn ’ t feel a. The Queen of the aircraft from some renowned 747 fleets in the Air -- quiet, and! At our discretion, meaning no U.S. carrier will by flying the aircraft into 2018 is n't about. Ride on the 747-8, book a ticket on Lufthansa, Air china and Korean Air year for 747. Shuttle program iconic passenger plane in history, give or take the Concorde suffers from four-engined., newer aircraft of similar size and range achieve higher rates of fuel efficiency the from. Fleets in the US curved profile made it the most dignified way the! It requires Shuttle fleet took place from March to July 2011 to July.! Does not mean the 747 's full history how it looked it requires route! But what about those 747 fleets in the fleet 777 and 787 or Airbus ’ A350 and A330 buying... They said it will retire all of its first version of the fleet becomes...
Samsung M51 Colours, Slate Cutter Home Depot, Pocket French Horn For Sale, Sony A6000 Grainy Video, Duck Call Turning Blanks, Malibu Country Inn Reviews, Gamma Phi Beta Stereotypes,