Iconic Boeing 747 embarks on final flight

Today United Airlines will retire the original jumbo jet dubbed "the queen of the skies." The Boeing 747 revolutionized long-distance air travel when it debuted nearly 50 years ago. But more efficient aircraft have replaced it. United is now giving the 747 one final tour. Kris Van Cleave reports.
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[@nasanierulastname2997]

Always flew these old birds to Nagoya, Seoul and most recently Tokyo to connect onwards to Manila. The 747 will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@Racko.]

She’s very iconic!

[@larryscott3982]

The 747-8 is still in production. And used by several airlines. Just not US airlines? Including Lufthansa has 19 747-8s , an EU carrier !! UPS had 14. 747 will around for long while yet.

[@AlexMProductions]

yes true but boeing is planning to slow production of the 747-8. Anyways United has ordered the a350 and has the 787 for its replacement. Quad jets are coming to an end. Gonna miss the queen of the skies.

[@connyrcheung]

Christopher Park delta will retire it too

[@uss_04]

AXEL GAMING Hub and Spoke model worked in the 1970’s, but fuel efficiency has fell behind and its hard to fill those seats. Plus it doesnt have recent innovations since that time such as high bypass fans, improved winglets, and supercritical wings. It didnt need ETOPS, and Trijets are just so weird. Still, it changed Aeronautical history and I’ll miss it. But odds are the airframes since then has reached their service life of pressurizations, and probably just arent fuel efficient enough to maintain, and probably a PITA to fill all those seats to keep it profitable. Wendover Productions have good videos on the economic of airliners. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ2sla18ZsSVa68

[@haydenbailey7190]

CrisiGlassimo unfutunatly delta airlines has anounced it's 747-400 is soon to be put into storage for possible use in the future

[@lillllillliil]

Korean air still has the 747-400 and the 747-8

[@vincentstruckstrainsplanes34]

Rest In Peace United 747 One Like = One Prayer

[@freddyhoyt1849]

I was a flight attendant for 34 years and I flew on the plane ✈️ 747 for 25 years it was a beautiful plane ✈️ I will miss the queen of the skies

[@沈紹光]

it was my 1st flight when trip to tokyo in 1985, the plane full passengers and food well served

[@Etherus69]

Did they retire the 747 400 and is keeping newer 747 or are they replace it ?

[@johnoconnor6356]

Many of the aircraft that serve the airlines today were not even thought of in the days of the 707 through the 747, or DC-8 through the DC-10. It is really sad to see the 747's go. There are many if these historic aircraft in North Carolina, now just sitting there baking in the sun. I wish that maybe they could be converted into museums if themselves. I only flew on a 747 once, from New York to Los Angeles, on Tower Air, a now defunct airline, which only had the 747 in it's fleet.

[@andrewphelps614]

I have always wanted to and still do want to be a pilot on a 747. Seeing that it's not going to happen now. It's just sad

[@alphaexpress6881]

CrazyDonkey lol then be a pilot of a private b747 duh kiddo.

[@jacksalcedo2699]

Tatabusa Express same

[@SplicesAndCelluloid]

Well, maybe not for passengers, but definitely for cargo. 747 is a great freighter.

[@uss_04]

So its just the base model? Its upgraded varients still run on other Carriers, right? They getting replaced by Long and Skinny routes (vs Hub and Spoke) with the Dreamliner?

[@andrewphelps614]

Sad to see it go

[@haydenbailey7190]

British air ways will still be oparating it's going 747-400 for a while as it has just spent thousands of pound's retrofitting sitting them the 400 series will still be around for a long while

[@v12tommy]

I don't see the big deal. So you won't see any 747s that say United on them. So what? At United's current pace, you won't see any airliners with United on the side in a few years. There are still airlines flying the 747, and Boeing is still cranking out new ones.

[@christopherblunt6087]

v12tommy This is very special because no US Airline has the Boeing 747 anymore

[@Stacie45]

The 747 will be flying cargo around the world long after the last A380 has been turned into beer cans.

[@dotdankory]

?

[@kevintang2605]

Boo final “friend” ship flight