The Secret World of Saudi Arabian 747s (never before seen)

[@NonstopDan]

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[@beastyfast302]

Ur so great Dan and Oscar. Keep it up!!!!

[@Hundt453]

15:12 I don’t use Nord VPN because they don’t have a Saudi Arabia server

[@ZZZ-xt4gd]

Those supposedly funny TV clips ruin the whole video... it's unwatchable. It gives me nightmares. These are so good without those TV clips.

[@slogan-sd5nr]

Well come again brother

[@Everythingwithonehand]

I think that 747 or its sister might have served as Iron Maiden’s Ed Force One. Their singer Bruce Dickinson was formerly a pilot with Air Atlanta Icelandic and spent some time operating pilgrimage flights as well as flying the band around the world on tour.

[@looseycanon]

Yep Ed Force One was a 747 (I think 200, but don't quote me on that) and yep, he flew it. Kept his license :D

[@MaxMakkusu]

The ed force one was operated by saudia from 2016 to 2022 but it has been retired since

[@dbn52]

Ironic isn't it.. The "number of the beast" flying in Saudi Arabia

[@dannyboyUwU]

@ricequin No, sadly, the Ed force one plane is just sitting in a scrapyard waiting to be scrapped

[@francisbtube]

@@dbn52? I know what the number is, just don’t understand your reference?

[@ThiNo737]

Calling the 747 "retro" still sounds weird to me, but I guess that's the state we're at right now

[@dylanleboff4395]

True , crazy to think

[@MrMakeDo]

Well not that many carriers are still flying them so…

[@dyscea]

I felt that 😨

[@kevinbruggeman5203]

Well it's an old piece of junk by now. 😂

[@MiSSkOCALiNA]

He even has the audacity to call these planes “ancient” 😳

[@magnustan841]

Dan, this was so refreshing! I love watching flight reviews in all cabins from cattle class to yacht class, but more than anything, I love seeing a fellow avgeek acting like a kid in a candy store. I’d love to see more avgeek-specific experiences like this, where you seek out a special aircraft, airline or an airport experience. A welcome break from the usual, the latest business class product or whatever, for sure.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Wow Dan & Oskar, what an AvGeek experience on the 747-400. I think Mahan still flies the -200 with the prayer room on the top deck. Must have been amazing flying over the empty quarter. Great wing & cabin views, unbelievable the aircraft was so empty; but can imagine peak season being chaos. Thanks, Rog from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@3ligh684]

Saudi Arabia like any country in the world,and we all use FaceTime 😂

[@benoitquenneville7756]

Hi Dan! I said it before and l’ll say it again: you’re the best! 👍 This is a blast from the past for me. My first trans-Atlantic flight in 1981 was on an Air France 747. I sat in the same section, at row 2, right in the nose. It was weird to think that the pilot was somewhere behind us upstairs! It’s pretty much the way I remember it. Except for the tv monitors, I don’t think they had those in the seat back then.

[@woutergijs5246]

In 1981 it was not a 747-400 …

[@motoriety]

My last time on the 747 (a 400) was on a Cathay Pacific service between Manila and Hong Kong waaaaay back in December 2014. It was a very short flight but definitely one of, if not THE most memorable trips I have taken. While happily sitting in my seat after being bumped up to biz, a flight attendant walked up to me and said, "Sir, this aircraft is being retired in June, would you like to take this opportunity to sit on the upper deck?" I calmly replied, "Oh, sure why not?" What I meant to say was, "Oh you mean fulfill my childhood dream to fly on the second floor of a 747? F**K YEAH!"

[@ahmadzahid266]

This flight so interesting, a retro 747-400, a crew wearing an old Saudia uniform, the same route where was Saudia operating an own 747 before retired, if IFE functional, having blue seats and walls it became an experience of Saudia between 1996-2011 And welcome in Medina my hometown!

[@ahmad000almahdi]

« إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا » 🥰

[@stephenschwab7143]

Dan, I so enjoyed this video! I flew for Delta/Western for 35 years and the gem of the sky was the 747. I remember how we (the crew) used to stand in the jetway on our way off the plane, at whichever layover, and just look at the plane. It was like reverence. I'm sorry you didn't have access to the crew quarters upstairs at the back of the plane.

[@Bughttun]

Wow! those are the best and most satisfying front and rear wing views of a CF6-80 Boeing 747-400.

[@ceejae2349]

Love this. My first international flight was on PAN AM on a 2 storey plane (1982) from South America to Australia. It took several days and a huge number of stops. Now that’s retro! At some point we changed to air New Zealand (maybe?)

[@BrhomHD]

You don't need a VPN to access FaceTime or "Messenger" in Saudi

[@miho76zehop13]

Great Video! Loved it... Reminds me of my "retro flight" in a 747-SP with Iran Air in 2009 - great flight that ewas and on one of the most iconic 747's I miss the 747 in service and hope they will be back one day in one shape or form Keep up the good work and happy travels! 😁

[@MusicmanDavid]

I've been watching your videos for years and every once in a while you say the very last thing I'd think I'd hear. This time you actually made me spit my iced green tea out and laugh when you said "high heels on my tippies."😂🤣😂🤣😅🤣🤣

[@NonstopDan]

😭🤣

[@moggiemidge2162]

it makes me so happy to see nonstop dan notifications omg

[@AHMAD.ALAMOUDI]

These wide-bodied air crafts were (and still are) one of the greatest " Masterpieces " ever engineered and built. Also " Carrier " who invented the ac, and as a gratitude I pray for that sucker every time I turn on my air-con because he made my life a lot easier in the heat of Summer.

[@jamesharris2058]

Wonderful video, Dan!! I always look forward to your videos. I love the 747, but this is certainly interesting.

[@josetterobertson6962]

lol when Dan said “Ancient queen of the skies” 😂 it’s giving historical narrator on a journey to ancient civilizations 😅

[@flyingcheesehead9439]

What a nice vid 🤩. I did not fly this specific flight, but I am a Pilot of Air Atlanta. Last year I flew many Passenger Flights with the ZA ZB and ZC. It feels even for me unreal that I am flying this beauty as a Pilot. Im really glad you enjoyed your flight on our Aircraft and the Service of our wonderful crew. Keep up the great work 😄✈️.

[@Mr1988wk]

Jao jao😉 Aza must be added newly. Miss the former air france pax J,K,L

[@AeroMaster-xy8eo]

Wow that's amazing! Can you confirm that those 747s are really going to be retired by the end if this year?

[@V1aviation]

I've been lucky enough to fly AMS-LAX-AMS back in 2012 on KLM's queen and boy oh boy, what an experience it was. The 'butter' landing you've experienced is exactly what i've experienced as well and exactly like you say: the 747 is such a unique experience.

[@MC-emmcee]

I have fond memories of flying many times on BA, Qantas, Cathay Pacific 747s in club/business class. Some of the best flights ever.😀

[@qjb75]

I was a flight attendant on the Qieen of the skies for almost 20 years before they were retired from our fleet. Miss that beautiful aircraft and it was soooo very cool to see it in your vlog Dan. My newest favourite vlog by a mile ❤

[@Alex-ym7tr]

what airline?

[@qjb75]

@@Alex-ym7trair new zealand

[@Rv_L]

as a saudi that uses saudi airlines my whole life i didnt know this thanks dan for showing it to me much love.

[@glennkennedy441]

What a great video, I'm a huge fan of the 747 and this video really hit the spot, really enjoyed the tour of the upper and lower deck, the galley and he lav, great job, thanks !

[@Daniel-jt7xw]

That’s the emptiest plane I’ve ever seen 💀

[@corrado]

I used to like the 747 because although most of economy used to be a 3-4-3 configuration, there would be one or two rows in the back that had a 2-4-2 so you would have a huge gap next to you on the window side.

[@woutergijs5246]

Ahum … yes and no. I had numerous flights in economy in these 747-400 on BA, Qantas , China Airlines and others. Very little leg room and noisy.

[@tombrooks5933]

Back in 1977 I flew from Columbus to Nice on a 747 that was chartered by an industry association with my parents. It was full of members who were all adults and I found 2 other "kids" who's parents were on the main level, and we asked the f/a if we could see the upper deck even though the stairway was roped off, and they agreed. We ended up staying up there for the entire flight. I seem to remember couches in addition to regular seats. Quite a memory, playing cards and dozing off without any parents. A week later for the return Air France flight, the airline workers went on strike, which ended in about 8 hours, so we diverted to Paris where we spent the night in a hotel at CDG, leaving for CMH in the morning, and I saw the Concorde on the runway there. Quite a memorable trip.

[@tacodias]

Thanks for sharing! Great memories to have

[@woutergijs5246]

Strikes in France ? How strange 😅😅😅

[@paulgray5572]

Thanks Dan for an awesome experience on the legend of the skies. Brings Back memories .First flight for me was the 747 from Johannesburg - LHR via Abidjan in the 1980's when SAA South African airways was banned from flying over Africa due to Sanctions. SAA was a great Airline in those Days. Thanks for the great content.

[@rasha6689]

Welcome to Saudi arabia Dan, if there is something that is the most special in Saudis is our hospitality. Glad you visited and enjoy your saty.

[@pchaynes]

In 1998, I flew this 747 configuration from Tokyo to Bangkok on United. The configuration at that time designated this section as first class. I was flying business class, which was on the upper deck. Because my seat was double booked, and I was a single traveler, I was moved into the first class section, row one. I have never forgotten how excited I was to fly international first class. This was years before lie flat seats but there was significant recline. One of the highlights of my travel years.

[@woutergijs5246]

Those were the days. And the excitement to get a upgrade because of over booking

[@Aviation129]

Amazing video Dan! I never even new Saudi Arabia had the 747!

[@christopherhadsell9049]

Oh! I have really missed you! I've been thru a ton a stuff, so glad to see you with your handsome friend! Keep flying!

[@debramage739]

Loved the retro look, ashtrays bring back fond memories 😊. Thanks Dan😊

[@Hundt453]

14:26 Dan that’s false information, I downloaded my VPN for work purposes in Saudi Arabia. I use my VPN to access my Saudi services when I’m abroad

[@exhaleofsmoke]

Oh, this jogged some memories I had forgotten! I am pretty sure I have flown Saudia 747 during my childhood, looks pretty similar to what I remember from 17 to 20 years ago.

[@Mazhypic]

I've never flown on a 747 but I have stayed at the Jumbo Stay hotel in Arlanda, Stockholm. It's a 747-400 that they've compleatly renovated so that it is a hotel. You can sleep in the cockpit and even the engines, and on the back there's a swing made with a real 747 tire. It's such a special expreince and if you ever by any chase visit Stockholm, try it.

[@houseclearance7509]

Plane Trains Automobiles channel has just covered this. Well worth watching.

[@Mazhypic]

@@houseclearance7509 I gotta go watch that.

[@dizzy7992]

I remember when I was younger, I used to fly on the exact same airplane. It’s very nice since it brings back. Good memories 747.😅

[@Ulkian]

Another fantastic video with loads of insights, that's hardly known by anyone 🙂❗

[@erickantony2903]

I'm so happy to see this. Flown the SAUDIA 747 about 7-10 years ago.

[@WarlockofSF]

Cool flight vlog! Nice pronunciation of Pakistan. Ancient 747 interior -> ur like Indiana Jones ! That’s a Hot Wing! 🥵🪽 18:21

[@jenniferjanssen9876]

So interesting Josh, keep the great videos coming !!!!!!

[@wwewrestlemaniacs]

Saudia one of the best Airline in the world ❤

[@brettkeller5071]

Hey Dan! Awesome video of the 400 variant of the 747. I have jumpseated on some cargo 747's (Upper level is it's own crew quarters) and it just is magical, especially seeing those wings out the window in the crew quarters! Been a subscriber for a while! Happy Jetsetting!

[@ashishpoonia4047]

I was eagerly waiting for this video ever since you talked about it in the podcast. I’m going to watch it and then comment later about it.

[@dhmacher]

I love the 74 as much as the next person, but let's be honest: the 787 has the best looking wings.

[@Alex-ym7tr]

Agree that the A350 has the best cockpit?

[@dhmacher]

@@Alex-ym7tr yes, but they don’t allow people like me in there. :)

[@eman31683]

I flew Lufthansa 747 from FRA to ORD late last year. Beautiful plane for sure

[@bracedgod4505]

6:00 I had this experience flying first/business class domestic on a United a320 just after the merger. Comfy seats that looked more fitting in a 1 star motel. The crew was 5 stars though, I felt like I was in Grandma's house with all the food.

[@thomasravenscroft5184]

When i was a kid we flew back an fourth from south africa to Ireland Via France on these. Seeing this gave me such nostalgia

[@florents.27]

I got an aircraft change in January 2023 in Paris, for a flight to Boston, on Air France, and got those seats also on a B777, with a 2-3-2 configuration in business! I was quite a shock and deception!

[@newtonferrers1]

6:36 sent me out - nearly spat out my tea 🤣

[@johannatrahan6613]

I was flying 747s back in the 1970s. We're talking PanAm/TWA. Everybody dressed up and the seats were huge! The Pan Am terminal at JFK was so freaking amazing.

[@sctpoch]

I used to fly on Air Frace's 747s all the time between Paris and New York - probably more than a few times on this very plane! They were great if you were traveling for work (like me) but your employer wouldn't pay for a business-class ticket (like mine), because Air France was one of the very rare airlines that put Economy-class seats in the upper deck, rather than business- or First-class seats. If you got a window seat, you had a little extra bin next to you, between the seat and the wall. And you were in this little mini-cabin, up above everything. As cattle-class travel goes, it was about as good as it got.

[@weestevie04]

Wow my last 747-400 flight was HKT-BKK back in 2007. I feel old.

[@woutergijs5246]

Join the club😅

[@jasonday7378]

I wouldn’t say the 747 is retro to be fair but good video👌

[@roxxma]

My one and only 747 flight was Halloween, 2006 from Frankfurt to Boston aboard Lufthansa's -400, D-ABVL, "München", and I watched The Devil Wears Prada on the IFE. Germany had just hosted the World Cup a few months before, so the nose of the aircraft was painted like a soccer ball.

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Great content as always.

[@beardown6574]

What a cool experience! You could tell how excited you were 😄

[@saadhassan8813]

Amazing video production

[@Oduck22]

9:37 despite the legroom, being old economy means these seats look more cushioned and wider than modern economy seats.

[@Blo0dyMustard]

I have a theory about why there's little to no information about these 747s. They're used for hajj & umra flights and the seat booking is handled by the government or the hajj/umra travel agents, the passenger doesn't book for themselves. That's why there's no accurate info about the seating map online as it is not used by many people

[@jliscorpio]

Even in economy the Saudia crew is always fantastic.

[@thewhiteninja8947]

Always great content, keep up the great work m8

[@yaronsteinbuch3956]

I’ve flown quite a few TWA 747s between the US and the Middle East. Great memories

[@thejetchannel]

Lol when you say you were not expecting good food on this flight ?! What WERE you expecting I am intrigued 😅

[@HO-vr9kf]

Thank you so much I always wondered what inside of 747 look like

[@pascalolivier4458]

I've flown once on AirFrance's 747-400, and I was upstairs in economy, and it felt special taking the stairs in a plane. My second time was with Corsair, still in economy, on main deck at the front. The flight was so silent. I was not used to seat in front of the engines.

[@niklasgermann]

Hi Dan! I flew with Lufthansa and their 747-400 twice, both times with D-ABTK in Businnes Class in the Upper Deck, and it was amazing! 😍

[@OP38074]

I have flown on an Air India 747-400, but i was 5 at that time, so I'd definitely want to fly on a 747 again. And as always, amazing content, Dan, and thanks for letting me know about this very unknown flight!!!:)

[@houseclearance7509]

I flew on AI from LHR to JFK on their 747 using fifth freedom. I remember the steward was smoking at the back and flicking the ash out of the rear door which was open. Instead of showing you to your seat he literally waved his hands around!

[@os9706]

I am a Saudi avgeek and pilot. In 2013, when Saudia was about to retire its last few original 747s, I had the opportunity to book a flight from Jeddah to Dammam in August and booked a seat on the upper deck. Unfortunately I missed that flight and never flew on the 747 again to this day 😢.

[@MrFayomari]

Dan, just wanted to say that all three phone applications like FaceTime work in Saudi without vpn with high speeds too.

[@grantt4691]

First time I flew was in 1981. A 747 from SYD to LHR via BKK on BA. I was invited into the cockpit for 5 minutes. I’ll never forget it, but it was all a blur trying to take it in. Sensory overload. That wouldn’t happen today. In 2011, BA gave me a free upgrade to business class in a 747 from SYD to BKK. I had no idea why but I didn’t say no. The return in economy was not so great. These are the only times I’ve flown BA, so I can’t bag them. A trip to the cockpit and a business class upgrade in 747’s. Pretty happy with that.

[@MuhammadAdeel-cx3kg]

Dan you are the best😊 you have the best content and both of your channels are the best even the Oskar and Dan channel. I wish to see more content like this and keep it up❤

[@farrukhmfker1250]

Flew on this type of 747 many times and didn’t know that it would be such a rare plane as i was a kid

[@iMizzy777]

Just earned yourself a new subscriber

[@NonstopDan]

Welcome! 🙏

[@iMizzy777]

@@NonstopDan cheers

[@dezxter8186]

This was my childhood plane omggg thank you soo much for this video

[@ahmadbaghdadi4744]

Good afternoon like you presentation and it thing and the way you presenting Saudi Airlines it’s more than professional way on KZbin. Thank you very much. Good luck

[@philipguacci6452]

My last trip was an Air New Zealand 747-400 from Auckland to Rarotonga Cook Islands in September 2001. 3 days after 9/11. Ansett Australia had collapsed and we had to fly Melbourne to Auckland. We blagged a ride on a 767-300 of Qantas, as all Air New Zealand planes were blocked by Ansett employees who blamed them for the collapse. We were exhausted but ANZ crew were magnificent. The 747 also. Cheers.

[@احمدالمشعل-غ6ز]

من أفضل طائرات 747 سافرت عليه له ذكريات في حياتي احبه جدا جدا

[@BenZFAN-s4r]

انا كذالك اذكر سافرت بها في عام ١٩٩٤ كانت مذهلة جدا جدا

[@librarymohammed8220]

I have a beautiful memory of traveling from Jeddah to Dammam in 1999❤

[@justinbeasley5661]

I remember flying the Saudia 747-400 several times back in the early 90s when I lived in Jiddah. They were operating the 747 between Jiddah and Riyadh!. It was pretty new then and I remember that a couple of them had really lavish interiors. I was pretty young, but I remember lots of emerald green and gold trim! I wish I had some photos…

[@EinfachLuap]

I've flown to and from jeddah so many times and always wondered why there were 747's in gleaming condition standing around and nobody could ever answer me what they are. Nice to know.

[@gyanaranjanmishra4654]

Looking at your attraction and love towards the Saudia B-747, I feel you were one of the passengers on SV 763

[@AakifAmeen]

I flew on her sister ship 9H-AZC back in 2019. However back then it was registered as TF-AAM. An absolutely wonderful retro experience.

[@9deebee]

My first 747 flight? June 1972, on Delta. The early 70s were difficult, economically, and there were only about 100 of us onboard, LAX-ATL. My first 747-400 flight? NRT to HKG, the old Kai Tak airport, November '93. We left Japan over three hours late. Since I had started my day in Texas, I didn't know that a typhoon had just left Hong Kong and that a 744 had overrun runway 13 and was sitting in the harbor at the runway's end. I'm lucky my flight wasn't canceled altogether. Yes, we flew the infamous approach to runway 13 and in the ensuing week I got many shots on film at the airport, along with the usual sightseeing.

[@shompirass]

"Secret" 747. I still love you Dan and Oskar anyways.

[@jrwxtx]

Last 747-400 flight was on United: SFO to HKG, back to SFO--in economy. If I remember correctly, I think the flight was during the last month of 747 service on that route--UAL then switched to 777. Previously, I had flown the SFO to HKG route on Cathay Pacific 747 in business class, upper deck, a few times. Now, that was great service! Now CP flies the A350, which I have flown in economy to HKG--which was pretty good for economy--nice airplane.

[@lmacd2510]

Loved this video. The last time I flew on a 747 was Virgin Atlantic Manchester-Barbados in 2015 I remember most my flights folding UK to Sydney was on 747’s

[@malcolmmorris9483]

747s have been all my grown-up life. 1970 Continental 747 HNL-LAX-ORD on the way from MEL to ITH. Last year LH 747-8 FRA-ORD. Over 2 million miles flown in between. Hard to see the 747 diminishing and referred to as retro.

[@abdelkadermehiz9407]

I always get to see it at Algiers and I'm glad they extended its lifespan, so I still got chance to spot it from a closer point to the airport not from my house at 4 miles away, but it's still flies close to us ❤😍

[@TheHersonCastillo]

This vid is sooooo classically iconique tbh 😃😄

[@tariq96]

You are giving really useful information to avgeeks like us! Loved it!♡♡♡

[@kyzgaming18]

Wow so that's why Dan didn't upload. He was too busy being the Indiana Jones of airplanes XD

[@NonstopDan]

😂 😂 😂

[@brucewatt1032]

All those 747 wing views are beautiful. We’ve all got to make the most of them until they’re all gone…

[@lvsluggo007]

The pax ones are becoming scarce, but cargo ones should be around for a while, what with the latest 747-8.

[@thiagocastro8596]

One and only time I flew in a 747-400 was in 2013, on my way to CDG from Rio de Janeiro with Air France. I do believe that this flight you took was the same (or very similar) aircraft as the economy class was in the upper class. My seat was 60A on my way to CDG and 60F on my way back. :)

[@patrickmoralesramon9577]

Here's a wild one for you! I've flown in that business class seat from CDG to Punta Cana back when that 747 was at air France (maybe not that very plane), but I distinctly remember the experience on the upper deck as it was my first time flying business.

[@gebe8978]

When I lived in Makassar, which is an important Indonesian hub, I used to host the crews from these aircrafts doing thse flights to Mecca during Umrah. However, for Hajj the flights were operated by Spanish Wamos Air, also using 747-400 aircrafts together with some A330. The planes were always flying during Hajj... full to go, empty to return. Once finished, there was a small break and it was the opposite: empty to go and absolutely full to return, with generally overload of luggage and things pilgrims would be bringing. Also, there were every year several passengers passing away during the return flight, if not earlier in Saudi Arabia. It was a very interesting time.

[@woutergijs5246]

Thank you for this info, also about people DYING during flights! It does happen every day. But we only know about hearing

[@kbhasi]

When you mentioned the flights ferrying 'religious worshippers', i immediately thought of Muslims (a lot of people in Malaysia follow Islam religion, and there are also a number of those who do in Singapore and Indonesia, if I recall correctly) and the Hajj, so the flight you showed makes sense as an option for those who need to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lives (at least based on what I read on Wikipedia). (7:59) I believe it was cheaper and easier for them to set up a separate server and Wi-Fi access points for BYOD IFE than to try to use the existing IFE hardware already installed in the aircraft, especially considering that the SDK for that would've been long gone and media would've had to been converted down to older formats and lower resolution video, but surprisingly, engineers at the leasing company (I presume) didn't figure out how to cut power to the entire IFE system, so there are screens still glowing but not displaying anything, and at 11:12 that on the screen confirms that all storage devices were removed because it couldn't start up. The system likely dates from the late 2000s as I remember being on a Qantas flight in the early 2010s that had Q (their IFE system at the time) likely running on a similar or identical Rockwell Collins IFE platform as I recognised the remote design (shown at 9:46). (9:40) I think those economy class seats were the ones installed in place of the Air France first class seats, and they clearly came from a plane that had a different and older IFE platform installed, hence the remotes being different, but surprisingly power was still connected. At 9:46 I can see what looks like a remote for the Collins platform the aircraft likely had from back when it was owned by Air France. While writing this comment, I started realising that power to the IFE system was likely still connected to allow the remotes to control power to the reading lights.

[@Silverelfz]

Yup! The 747 is still my favourite commercial liner! I will miss it!