Why do airlines not fly the 747 anymore?

They are being retired because they cost more to operate (as people movers) when compared to twin engine planes, such as the 777, 787, and A350. Economics for the longest while predicted the demise of any commercial jets with more than 2 engines. Im surprised the 747 stayed in production as long as it did.



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Thirteen passenger configured 747-400s are currently in VIP service for government and military transport, primarily in the Middle East, though five remain in service in China, Korea, and the United States.

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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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No more 747s are being made, but Boeing notes that they're still taking flight. The 1970s version even inspired one man to build a ground-based replica. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come, Boeing's Smith said. Copyright 2023 NPR.

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Currently, the world's biggest international airline has on order 50 A350-900s, 30 787-9s and 115 Boeing 777Xs. The airline operates 119 A380s, 123 Boeing 777-300ERs and 10 Boeing 777-200LRs. The 777X aircraft will replace the A380s, while the A350s and 787s will eventually replace the 777s.

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Airbus A380 The Airbus A380 widebody airliner is the world's first and only aircraft with two full decks. The world's largest passenger carrier is powered by four extremely powerful Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofans, each producing a thrust of 332.44–356.81 kN (74,740–80,210 lbf).

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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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Although the aircraft is considered a safe design, some 4% of Boeing 747s have been total hull losses. In 1985, Air India Flight 182 was destroyed by a bomb, killing 329 people. Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, UK, in 1988, killing 270. (A perpetrator was recently apprehended.)

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As of December 2022, there were 237 aircraft in service with 16 operators worldwide.

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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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Now that the pandemic seems under control, the great queens of the sky are making a comeback. Etihad, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas, British Airways and other airlines, including new start-up Global, are putting the A380 back to work.

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But equally impressive are some of the unseen innovations, because the A350 is the quietest and most economical long haul jet ever built. It's an incredible machine. As well as the obvious economic benefits, it's much cleaner than the aircraft it replaces, produces far less CO2 and has a much smaller noise footprint.

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Joseph Lau: Boeing 747-8 VIP, $367 million. Sultan of Brunei: Boeing 747-430, $230 million. Roman Abramovich: Boeing 757, $170 million. Kim Kardashian: Gulfstream G650ER, $150 million.

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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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Pan Am Flight 1736 and KLM Flight 4805 On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport), on the Spanish island of Tenerife, Canary Islands. The crash killed 583 people, making it the deadliest accident in aviation history.

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Therefore, the ERJ135/140/145 members of the family are among the safest airliners in history. The Airbus A340 is also one of the safest, with no fatal accidents involving any of the 380 units since its introduction in March 1993.

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According to data from ch-aviation.com, the oldest active Boeing 747 family aircraft left in the world today is a 747-100SF that flies for the Iranian Air Force. Bearing registration 5-8103, this veteran quadjet is 52.86 years old and flew for TWA from 1970 to 1975 before being converted for usage as a freighter.

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