Do 747 still fly in UK?

British Airways today (Tuesday, 18 August 2020) retired its first Boeing 747 since announcing last month that all 31 of its jumbo jets had sadly flown their last commercial services.



As of March 2026, the era of the passenger Boeing 747 in the United Kingdom has officially come to an end. Following the retirement of the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fleets in 2020, the last remaining scheduled passenger service to the UK using a 747 was Korean Air’s route from Seoul to London Heathrow. However, in February 2026, Korean Air officially switched this route to the more fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER, leaving the UK with zero scheduled 747 passenger flights. However, the "Queen of the Skies" is still a frequent sight in British skies as a freighter (cargo) aircraft. Major cargo hubs like East Midlands (EMA) and London Stansted (STN) continue to host 747-400F and 747-8F aircraft operated by carriers such as Atlas Air, UPS, and Silk Way West. These massive freighters are essential for the UK's high-volume e-commerce and pharmaceutical supply chains. While you can no longer buy a ticket to fly on a "Jumbo" from a UK airport, you can still spot them on the ramps of the nation's busiest dedicated cargo terminals.

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If you want to rekindle memories of flying aboard the world's first jumbo, your first and best choice is Lufthansa. The German carrier operates more passenger 747s than the rest of the world's airlines combined, with eight 747-400s and 19 747-800 models still flying.

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The B747's range falls slightly short of the A380, with a typical range of around 7,790 nautical miles (14,400 kilometers). However, it compensates with a higher top speed, capable of cruising at approximately Mach 0.855. This makes it more versatile, suitable for both long-haul and shorter intercontinental flights.

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There were 440 Boeing 747 aircraft in active airline service as of August 2023, comprising 0 747-100s, 2 747SPs, 19 747-200s, 4 747-300s, 261 747-400s, and 154 747-8s. These aircraft are listed by airline operators and variant in the following table.

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The oldest active 747 aircraft today The oldest passenger aircraft in commercial operation is Boeing 747-400 EP-MEE (SN 24383) operated by Mahan Air, a privately owned Iranian airline. IBA Insight Flights shows that this aircraft frequently makes trips between Tehran and Moscow, and last flew on 30th January 2023.

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The planes are due for delivery in 2024 as part of a $3.9 billion contract. Boeing's 777X, its latest passenger plane model and projected replacement for the 747, is set for delivery in 2025.

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Built in 1967 to produce the mammoth jet, it remains the world's largest manufacturing plant according to Boeing. But after five decades, customer demand for the 747 eroded as Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA) developed more fuel efficient two-engine widebody planes.

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So why has Airbus decided to kill it? The main reason the company will halt production of A380 after 12 years, from 2021, is the low number of planes sold. “In the end, you have to face facts, and we could see that we were building A380s faster than people were ordering them,” Lange says.

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The Pilots For those looking after the safety of everyone on board, the A380 is generally well-loved. “The A380 is a pleasure to operate,” said Nigel, a captain for a European airline. “Handling is similar to the A320, with the 380 being a little more sensitive in pitch.

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According to Boeing's data, the 777-9 has a total length of 251 feet 9 inches (76.72 meters). The 747-8 is just a bit smaller at 250 feet 2 inches (76.3 meters). The 777-9 is the longest commercial aircraft ever built.

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With its impressive size and graceful appearance, the 747, known as the “Queen of the Skies,” has been one of the most recognizable and versatile aircraft since its first flight in 1969.

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This is due to the aircraft's large size and the amount of fuel it requires to make a single flight. On average, it costs around $20,000 to fill up an A380.

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Most of them end up in what's called boneyards. It's like a giant car park in the middle of woop woop where they are all lined up and stored, waiting either to be sold or broken up for parts. Boneyards such as Victorville in California has five hundred spots for old planes.

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In a ceremony that was broadcast live online, the aircraft was handed over to its new owner, US air cargo operator Atlas Air, at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington.

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Modified versions of two Boeing 747 planes will serve as replacements for the White House's Air Force One. The planes are due for delivery in 2024 as part of a $3.9 billion contract. Boeing's 777X, its latest passenger plane model and projected replacement for the 747, is set for delivery in 2025.

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