Farewell to the Boeing 747: here are the companies still carrying passengers aboard the Queen of the Skies
Not many airlines continue to use Boeing 747s. After more than 50 years, in July [...]
Lufthansa
Korean Air
Not many airlines continue to use the Boeing 747. After more than 50 years, July 2021, the company announced that during 2022 production of these historic aircraft will cease altogether.
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Farewell then to the "Jumbo Jet" that has definitely made history in the industry. From the tremendous support given to the freight industry, to the push in terms of producing similar models. However, evolution has overwhelmed the 747, with Boeing and Airbus developing twin-engine aircraft capable of low fuel consumption over long haul and high capacity.
Covid has certainly given a remarkable acceleration to the process and now we can say that it is not long before this cult model is finally abandoned. If you have never been aboard the "Jumbo Jet" and would like to try this experience, here are the carriers for you.
Air China
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Air China boasts in its fleet three 747-400s and six 747-8s. However, the first group, which is definitely dated, has been out of service since March 2020 and it is unknown whether they will ever return to flight. Remaining active, however, are five of the six 747/8s that operate regularly to China, as well as on the route to Frankfurt and New York.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa seems unwilling to give up to their Boeing 747s in the short term. All the 19 747-8, as well as the 8 747-400. There is, on the other hand, an official expiration date for the 400, which are now definitely dated. In 2025 they will say goodbye to the skies. Replacing them should be the 777x. Numbers that make the carrier the largest operator of 747-8s.
Air India
Trouble at Air India, as a shortage of pilots and some complications on the maintenance front have pushed into storage the four 747-400s available. Half need extensive interventions, which could lead to a permanent farewell. The rest, on the other hand, need maintenance but, to best explain the situation, they do not have to be "brought back to life." However, the problem of pilots remains, considering how all those on the Boeing 747 have been transferred to the 787. Therefore, it is easy to think of a phase-out, with the 747vsubstituted by the 777-300ERs.
Asiana Airlines
They are regularly exploited well eight 747-400 freighters by Asiana Airlines. To that group is added another, a 747-48E which regularly operates its passenger transport between South Korea and China. In 2020 this aircraft was reported to be close to retirement, considering how in 2021 Asiana wanted to remove some older models from its fleet. For now, however, the 747-48E continues to work unabated.
Korean Air
They are well ten Boeing 747-8s present in Korean Air's fleet. Four of these have been brought back into service. They are being exploited for long-haul routes between Seoul and a variety of destinations in the United States, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is also possible to try your hand at a trip aboard this piece of history to travel to paradisiacal Honolulu. The other six aircraft are in storage. One will be converted into a VIP jet for presidential and other purposes.
Mahan Air
Looking into Iran, Mahan Air still has in service. a 747-400. Another is back in operation after spending a good 10 years in storage. In 2019 it was repurposed for flights within the region. In June 2021, however, it reached retirement.
Rossiya Airlines
Rossiya Airlines is linked to Aeroflot and boasts a fleet of as many as 9 Boeing 747-400. Only two would still be in service. As functional as they are, however, they are currently parked because of the ongoing war.
Iraqi Airways
They are two Boeing 747-400s still included in the Iraqi Airways fleet. One has made some flights as of March 2022. The other, however, is in storage. Before Covid, the plan was to retire both during 2020 so as to renew the fleet.
Long live the 747cargo
Fortunately, for those who love the iconic silhouette of the Queen of Skies, it will still be possible to meet 747s at airports around the world for a long time thanks to the cargo version. Indeed, cargo is the main use where hundreds of 747s are now engaged every day and where will finish the last four specimens that are being delivered.
