RIP Boeing 747

BlackTalon · Dec 7, 2022

I flew on a 747 a couple months ago (Lufthansa). If one just rolled off the assembly line it's a good bet we will not say 'goodbye' to in-service 747s until the 2070s.

I flew on one to Italy about 30 years ago that was less than half full. Full banks of seats were open for those that wanted to lay out and sleep. There was a nice lounge at the rear (upper deck was 1st Class/ Business Class only) I hung out at for most of the flight.

The flight a couple months was full, and no lounge space at the rear -- all sardines seating.

abrod520 · Dec 7, 2022

BlackTalon
If one just rolled off the assembly line it's a good bet we will not say 'goodbye' to in-service 747s until the 2070s.

Also don't forget that even 747s retired from passenger service often continue on as cargo freighters. The 747 is uniquely well positioned for the job - so we'll be seeing them regularly for a while for sure.

Hang around at larger airports and you'll see plenty of them, lots of Kalitta and Atlas planes about.

Archer · Dec 7, 2022

Flown in 747's many times back and forth to Australia...

mydeafcat · Dec 7, 2022

I love those old birds. My first trip was in 1990 flying to Fiji from LAX (Air NZ) and then on Singapore Airlines in 1992 from Vancouver to Singapore. The rest, India via Frankfurt and other trips back and forth to Europe have been on Lufthansa’s 747s. I’m so glad they continue to fly the 747. It’s the most beautiful of large aircraft; the A380 isn’t nearly as sleek. Every night at 6:45, a BA A380 lumbers across the sky not far from us on its way to YVR. It’s a wonder the ponderous beast doesn’t just drop.

On a late 2017 mini Europe tour, our band flew to Frankfurt from YVR on a 747. I was thrilled.

140dave · Dec 7, 2022

Flew a 747 back from AMS to SFO on KLM in Feb of this year. They still (were/are?) using them for flights that are cargo-heavy and passenger light.

kkt · Dec 7, 2022

gbesq
Although the 747 has a storied history, many forget that two 747s were involved in the deadliest accident in aviation history which occurred on March, 27, 1977 when KLM flight 4805 collided with Pan Am flight 1736 on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The collision occurred when the KLM aircraft initiated its takeoff roll in heavy fog while the Pan Am aircraft was still on the runway. There was no ground radar at the airport at the time which almost certainly would have prevented the accident. The impact and resulting fire killed everyone on board the KLM aircraft and most of the occupants of the Pan Am aircraft, resulting in 583 fatalities with only 61 passengers seated in the front section of the Pan Am aircraft surviving the collision. A terrible tragedy that resulted in the installation of ground radar at vitually all major airports.

True but that tragedy had nothing to do with the design, construction, or condition of the 747s. If they'd been other airliners it would also have been a disaster.

kkt · Dec 7, 2022

The 747 was a great plane, changing the nature of air travel almost as much as jets and pressurized cabins. Made affordable for huge masses of people to make trips that would have been completely impossible before.

gbesq · Dec 7, 2022

kkt
True but that tragedy had nothing to do with the design, construction, or condition of the 747s. If they'd been other airliners it would also have been a disaster.

Oh, I agree. Wasn’t implying otherwise.

asrnj77 · Dec 7, 2022

Foo2rama
well there is the A380…

not the most successful but a double decker still being flown today in some high volume long distance routes.

it too has been discontinued but existing models expected to remain in service for another 10-12 years

https://amp.dw.com/en/airbus-a380-the-end-of-a-multibillion-dollar-dream/a-60124995

Evitzee · Dec 7, 2022

gbesq
Oh, I agree. Wasn’t implying otherwise.

Since the Tenerife disaster was brought up, and is the worst airline incident in history, here is a really comprehensive video by Mentour Pilot on what led up to the disaster. A series of coincidences including terrorism, a substandard airport, poor weather and poor communications came together for a terrible conclusion. Worth a view, as are all of the videos by Mentour Pilot.
(1996) What REALLY Caused the Tenerife Airport Disaster?! The WORST Aviation Accident in History - YouTube

Paul m · Dec 7, 2022

I recently visited the superb Seattle museum of flight whilst in the USA on holiday.some of the most iconic planes made including Concorde,SR71 blackbird and the very first Boeing 747 ever made are on display.great to see.

kgb · Dec 7, 2022

I've taken at least 3 dozen 747 flights, mostly trans-Pacific, and always a thrill. Landing at SFO in 2017, I caught United's final 747 flight, in special livery out my window:

Twice I got upgraded to first class in the nose cabin. Getting an almost forward view from those windows was a unique flying experience.

I find it ironic that the 747 is going pretty strong (447 planes still in service per Wiki) at 50 yrs, yet the first A380s were being scrapped just 12 years after introduction.

johnireland · Dec 7, 2022

My first flight in a 747 was with my wife to Paris in the mid 90s. Everything before that was 707s. But to get my wife on a plane at all was because of a course Pan Am offered in the seventies called Fearful Flyers. It was a multiweek course conducted at LAX. Graduation was a flight in a 707 from LA to San Francisco and back (no landing). For this The flight was graduation flight everyone was allowed to bring one guest. I was hers. At first everyone just got on the plane and sat there...then everyone got off and those still too fearful didn't have to go further. Next they went out on the runway...got up to take off speed, then shut down. If anyone wanted to get off, they could. Finally, they did the Full Monty...and as the plane took off there was a great silence...and then cheers and applause from everyone. Pan Am picked up the entire cost of the course including the flights. When we went to Paris in a 747 we were in the cheap seats, but just being on a 747 was a special event. If I am correct, John Travolta owns one and flies it often. In contrast, the very first plane I flew on was a DC-3 going from Los Angeles to Phoenix. For a 9 year old kid that was very exciting. And yes, we did dress up for the event.

gbesq · Dec 7, 2022

kgb
I've taken at least 3 dozen 747 flights, mostly trans-Pacific, and always a thrill. Landing at SFO in 2017, I caught United's final 747 flight, in special livery out my window:

Twice I got upgraded to first class in the nose cabin. Getting an almost forward view from those windows was a unique flying experience.

I find it ironic that the 747 is going pretty strong (447 planes still in service per Wiki) at 50 yrs, yet the first A380s were being scrapped just 12 years after introduction.

Boeing builds one hell of a good aircraft. The 747 is a classic, but ask any commercial airline pilot which commercial airliner they would fly if given the choice and most won’t hesitate to say the 757. That plane handles like a Ferrari and climbs like a scalded cat. One of the best designs to ever come from Boeing and a true pilot’s aircraft.

abrod520 · Dec 7, 2022

Ah! As it happens I do have a couple photos from my flights on BA. Including a sighting of their own farewell livery.

Kraal90 · Dec 7, 2022

Foo2rama
well there is the A380…

not the most successful but a double decker still being flown today in some high volume long distance routes.

That’s true. Better save up my Lufthansa miles and get an upgrade on along haul flight for my wife and me. Not that same as a 747 but as you say. At least it has two floors.

Braindrain · Dec 7, 2022

Like many, I've flown the 747 many times. My best memory was on the Pokemon liveried ANA flight from HKG to NRT. (flight to HKG was a normal 777).

I was flying business class and had pre-booked seats on the upper deck. NRT-HKG-NRT is a well-travelled tourist route and there are very few C pax. As such, we were asked, upon entering the plane, whether we'd like to sit in the lower deck. I replied no, I like the upper deck. As it turns out, my wife and I were the only pax there and had a FA with us the entire time. Personalized service. I've had a lot of great experiences on different 747s, but that one sticks out.

noelekal · Dec 7, 2022

The 747, a great way to do long haul. My last flight on a 747 was a trans-Atlantic flight on Luftansa. Best trip ever! Flying on a 747 is impressive in a way that the newer planes fail to capture.

I even liked the old 707. I was once young and impressionable. Even the people in coach were first class back then.

We did a trans-Atlantic flight three weeks ago, going out a 787 and returning on a 777. I miss flying in the olden days. Flying these days is a mauling (except on any plane that has Mad Dog in the cockpit - Then it's a rave).

Foo2rama · Dec 7, 2022

johnireland
My first flight in a 747 was with my wife to Paris in the mid 90s. Everything before that was 707s. But to get my wife on a plane at all was because of a course Pan Am offered in the seventies called Fearful Flyers. It was a multiweek course conducted at LAX. Graduation was a flight in a 707 from LA to San Francisco and back (no landing). For this The flight was graduation flight everyone was allowed to bring one guest. I was hers. At first everyone just got on the plane and sat there...then everyone got off and those still too fearful didn't have to go further. Next they went out on the runway...got up to take off speed, then shut down. If anyone wanted to get off, they could. Finally, they did the Full Monty...and as the plane took off there was a great silence...and then cheers and applause from everyone. Pan Am picked up the entire cost of the course including the flights. When we went to Paris in a 747 we were in the cheap seats, but just being on a 747 was a special event. If I am correct, John Travolta owns one and flies it often. In contrast, the very first plane I flew on was a DC-3 going from Los Angeles to Phoenix. For a 9 year old kid that was very exciting. And yes, we did dress up for the event.

re: Travolta

while he did own at some point a 707 or 737…

He did though have a 747 type rating and would periodically captain Quantas 747 flights as part of his spokesman deal for Quantas. They paid to cert him and keep him current as part of the contract which also meant he would periodically captain commercial routes with passengers.

Nepomuceño · Dec 7, 2022

The perks of being on the ramp is getting real close 😁

RIP Boeing 747

BlackTalon

abrod520

Archer

mydeafcat

140dave

kkt

kkt

gbesq

asrnj77

Evitzee

Paul m

kgb

johnireland

gbesq

abrod520

Kraal90

Braindrain

noelekal

Foo2rama

Nepomuceño

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