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Does Virgin have 747?

For 36 years, Virgin Atlantic flew Boeing 747 aircraft around the world. Now, the planes have been retired in favour of newer, more sustainable aircraft such as the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9. If you miss the 747 as much as we do, here are five things you might not know about the Queen of the Skies…



No, Virgin Atlantic no longer operates the Boeing 747. The airline officially retired its "Queen of the Skies" fleet in December 2020, accelerated by the global downturn in travel and the industry-wide shift toward more fuel-efficient, twin-engine aircraft. For decades, the Virgin 747 was an icon of transatlantic travel, famous for its "V-Girl" nose art and upper-deck bars. In 2026, Virgin Atlantic has completely transitioned to a younger, greener fleet consisting primarily of the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, alongside the newer Airbus A330neo. These modern aircraft use significantly less fuel and produce fewer emissions than the four-engine 747. While aviation enthusiasts still fondly remember the "Tinker Belle" and "Ladybird" 747s, those looking to fly Virgin today will experience the latest in cabin technology and quiet-engine performance on their twin-aisle jets, marking the end of the four-engine era for the British carrier.

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As our last 747 departs, we know that replacing them are the next generation of airliners. The very latest Boeing 787 and Airbus A350s, and soon, the Airbus A330 NEO. These modern, sophisticated, quiet and green jets are the worthy successors of the 747. So that's it.

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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.

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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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Lufthansa Flight 540 was the first fatal crash of a 747. On November 20, 1974, it stalled and crashed moments after taking off from Nairobi, with 59 deaths and 98 survivors.

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The Airbus A380 beats the Boeing 747 in passenger capacity, with the ability to accommodate 250 more passengers in a full economy configuration. The A380 offers more interior space, allowing for the inclusion of bars, showers, lounges, and private suites, making it a popular choice for luxurious first-class offerings.

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A total of 251 Airbus A380s were built and delivered for civil aviation. How many A380s are still flying? As of May 2023, about 130 A380s are in service - but several airlines plan to reactivate more aircraft during the year.

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