Hong Kong for the very last time. It's a story we're hearing from
nearly every airline still flying the most recognizable passenger jet in
aviation history -- rising fuel costs are prompting carriers to ground
their fleets, opting to shuttle passengers in more modern (and
efficient) airliners instead. Hundreds of 747s still take to the skies
every day, but their numbers are dwindling, with Boeing's 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner, as well as the enormous Airbus A380,
picking up the slack. The flagships of yesteryear now litter the
desert, with several sites in California serving as a permanent resting
place for the plane that was once known as the Queen of the Skies, the
Boeing 747-400.
The 400, the most prolific 747 type, first entered service with
Northwest Airlines in 1989. It was the fourth iteration of Boeing's
popular jumbo, featuring a more advanced flight deck, a lighter build
and, perhaps most importantly, a significantly boosted range. The most
recent iteration can travel more than 8,000 miles, enabling airlines to
fly from North America to Southeast Asia or Australia without stopping
to refuel. An extended-range model, which added fuel tanks to the cargo
hold, is used exclusively by Qantas. That plane has a nearly 9,000-mile
range, which covers the 8,500-mile trek from Sydney to Dallas, Texas
(with a fueling stop on the longer westbound return). The Airbus A380
will replace the 747-400ER on that route beginning in September.
During the last three decades, more than 500 747-400s have been
built, with British Airways, Lufthansa and United placing some of the
largest orders. That latter carrier still operates one of the longest
747 routes, transporting nearly 400 passengers the 7,000 miles from San
Francisco to Hong Kong every day. The versatile 777-200 has replaced its
aging sibling on many of UA's other long-haul routes, though, offering
significantly improved performance and a better passenger experience,
with amenities such as more comfortable seats, WiFi and in-flight entertainment.
in an attempt to reclaim some of the superjumbo market from Airbus, and
Lufthansa has begun operating that higher-capacity plane on routes
between Germany and the US. And while carriers like British Airways,
Delta and Qantas are phasing out the 747 entirely, other airlines are
reassigning their planes to regional service. Thai's 747 travels
throughout Asia, for example, and even carries passengers on the
one-hour trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, while Cathay Pacific continues
to operate the type between Hong Kong and regional destinations such as
India and Bali.
that excludes power outlets and seat-back TVs, such as those operated by
United, getting to fly the quad-engine jet on a short hop is nothing
short of a thrilling treat. Even shorter routes will transition to more
efficient aircraft over the next few years, but for the time being, you
can still experience the original superjumbo on select flights. In the
commercial aviation world, there's nothing more exhilarating than
traveling in seat 1A, where the curvature at the nose makes it possible
to see at a near-forward angle during takeoff and landing. And, if
you're lucky enough to be traveling in business class, climbing the
stairs up to the exclusive second deck is an experience in and of
itself.
For aviation buffs, the 747's retirement is a devastating milestone,
but it also represents significant progress. Better fuel efficiency
means reduced emissions, and the 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A380
and the upcoming A350XWB
offer unprecedented comfort, for passengers and crew members alike.
Fortunately, there's still time to hop aboard a 747-400, and while you
might find a better experience elsewhere, I highly recommend taking this
brilliant craft for a final spin.
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