Discussion
Chinese president has just arrived in Saudi Arabia in his 747.
And isn't Airforce One still a 747?
Been a while since I've been in one, late 90s on Saudi Air.
Several trips and one night the flight out of Heathrow had problems so it was swapped for one that was all tourist class. Out of the 70s complete with decor.
All passengers with 1st class and business tickets were given a row to themselves.
I wasn't complaining as I'd had a cheeky upgrade to business, which wasn't all that but now had 4 seats to myself.
And isn't Airforce One still a 747?
Been a while since I've been in one, late 90s on Saudi Air.
Several trips and one night the flight out of Heathrow had problems so it was swapped for one that was all tourist class. Out of the 70s complete with decor.
All passengers with 1st class and business tickets were given a row to themselves.
I wasn't complaining as I'd had a cheeky upgrade to business, which wasn't all that but now had 4 seats to myself.
I flew on the Sultan of Oman's 747SP a few times when it was Royal Flight Oman. Check in at LHR was a single small counter iirc. Customs at the Seeb end was simply grabbing your own case and leaving via the RFO / SOAF exit, as it was away from the passenger terminal.
My worst ever flight was on an SAA 747 into Joburg. The seats were tights as hell in cattle class, absolute nightmare of a flight.
Last trip was in 2007 on Thai airways "Phimara" from LHR to BKK, it was so old it didn't even have IFE in the seat backs.
I often see the Atlas Air 747 coming over sunny Suffolk. I can't recall the last time I saw a 747 in passenger guise though.
If I had the money, the space and nothing better to do I'd do as this guy has:
https://onemileatatime.com/thai-airways-747-kept-i...
Meanwhile I'll have top make do with my EVA Air "Plane Tag" keyring from B-16462
My worst ever flight was on an SAA 747 into Joburg. The seats were tights as hell in cattle class, absolute nightmare of a flight.
Last trip was in 2007 on Thai airways "Phimara" from LHR to BKK, it was so old it didn't even have IFE in the seat backs.
I often see the Atlas Air 747 coming over sunny Suffolk. I can't recall the last time I saw a 747 in passenger guise though.
If I had the money, the space and nothing better to do I'd do as this guy has:
https://onemileatatime.com/thai-airways-747-kept-i...
Meanwhile I'll have top make do with my EVA Air "Plane Tag" keyring from B-16462
Yes, the new Air Force 1 is a 747, to replace the venerable 747-200 series, rather an old airframe now - you can tell by the engines it uses (General Electric rather than Rolls Royce), quite abit smaller and more "retro" in their design, beautiful plane compared to the -400 and now -800 series I think.
But yes, they will be around for decades more flying as freighters, less demanding schedules and maintenance isn't an issue compared to missing commercial flights due to down time, and their cheap(er)
That's why lots of freight companies use older aircraft, the likes of MD-11's and DC-10's all left passenger service in the 80's/90's but many many still fly for FedEx and the likes.
Love seeing those Tri-jets when they pass!
But yes, they will be around for decades more flying as freighters, less demanding schedules and maintenance isn't an issue compared to missing commercial flights due to down time, and their cheap(er)
That's why lots of freight companies use older aircraft, the likes of MD-11's and DC-10's all left passenger service in the 80's/90's but many many still fly for FedEx and the likes.
Love seeing those Tri-jets when they pass!
Edited by 757 on Wednesday 7th December 20:44
aeropilot said:
There's already a few in service and have been or a few years now.
Don't think they exist anymore.
The -400 was converted back? to a freighter. (Not sure it had a career as a freighter in between its passenger and firetanker career.) It half kept its firetanker colour scheme though.
Edited by motomk on Sunday 11th December 16:15
My last was in 2007 - JFK to LHR - we arrived early & were treated to being held in a stack on the outskirts of London as dawn approached. It’ll be etched in my memory for ever.
A stunningly agile plane & for a nervous flyer like me, massive reassurance of a couple of engines visible from either side.
A stunningly agile plane & for a nervous flyer like me, massive reassurance of a couple of engines visible from either side.
As passenger aircraft the 747s days are numbered. BA were the largest operator of the type and they retired their entire fleet during the pandemic, as did Virgin & KLM. Cathy retired the last of theirs in 2019 etc etc. The aircraft’s operating costs simply cannot compete with modern wide body twinsets such as 777, 787 and A350.
In the cargo market, it’s a completely different story. 747 freighters are in high demand and with the continued growth of e-commerce creating ever greater time-sensitive cargo volumes, they will be around for decades to come.
In the cargo market, it’s a completely different story. 747 freighters are in high demand and with the continued growth of e-commerce creating ever greater time-sensitive cargo volumes, they will be around for decades to come.
Bradgate said:
As passenger aircraft the 747s days are numbered. BA were the largest operator of the type and they retired their entire fleet during the pandemic, as did Virgin & KLM. Cathy retired the last of theirs in 2019 etc etc. The aircraft’s operating costs simply cannot compete with modern wide body twinsets such as 777, 787 and A350.
In the cargo market, it’s a completely different story. 747 freighters are in high demand and with the continued growth of e-commerce creating ever greater time-sensitive cargo volumes, they will be around for decades to come.
If costs is costs, why is the freight market so much less sensitive? I guess the schedule is less demanding?In the cargo market, it’s a completely different story. 747 freighters are in high demand and with the continued growth of e-commerce creating ever greater time-sensitive cargo volumes, they will be around for decades to come.
The way things are going I think flying on anything with 4 engines might be a novelty sooner than we think.
Teddy Lop said:
If costs is costs, why is the freight market so much less sensitive? I guess the schedule is less demanding?
The way things are going I think flying on anything with 4 engines might be a novelty sooner than we think.
Generally lower flying hours, so purchase price more important, fuel and maintenance less. Aviation bangernomics.The way things are going I think flying on anything with 4 engines might be a novelty sooner than we think.
Fantastic aircraft. 
Dr Jekyll said:
Teddy Lop said:
If costs is costs, why is the freight market so much less sensitive? I guess the schedule is less demanding?
The way things are going I think flying on anything with 4 engines might be a novelty sooner than we think.
Generally lower flying hours, so purchase price more important, fuel and maintenance less. Aviation bangernomics.The way things are going I think flying on anything with 4 engines might be a novelty sooner than we think.
Fully depreciated so costs to have them not flying were minimal.....saying that we flogged them to death on night freight charters.
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