The number of brand new Boeing 747s set to be delivered by American aerospace giant Boeing
has fallen to single digits following last month’s 747-8F delivery to UPS. Now, just nine
orders for brand new jumbo jets are outstanding, with the last due to be delivered next year.
2022 will be a bad year for double-decker aircraft programs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Airbus is set to deliver its last three A380s to Dubai-based giant Emirates. Its North American
rival, Boeing, will also be saying farewell to its own giant. The 747 program will draw
to a close after more than half a century of production and countless aircraft variations.
UPS took delivery of a new 747 last month, meaning that there are just nine jumbo jets
left to be delivered. The shipping company is set to take five of these freighters,
while Atlas Air will take the last four having placed a surprising order earlier this year.
All nine of the aircraft are for the freight version of the 747-8. Although the passenger
version of the -8 never really gained popularity, cargo operators love the freighter variant.
According to data from ch-aviation.com, these are the aircraft are still to be delivered,
There is technically a tenth outstanding Boeing 747-8,
according to Boeing’s books. However, it isn’t a brand new aircraft.
The jumbo jet in question is a passenger Boeing 747-8 that Lufthansa didn’t take
up. Its MSN is 37826, and it is currently registered in the United States as N828BA.
This particular jet is already ten years old, having taken its first flight on
April 26th, 2011. The aircraft is currently in storage at Victorville in the Mojave Desert.
As we reported earlier this year, Boeing has already found a buyer for the jet,
but the details are being kept under wraps.
There’s no doubt about it. The end of the Boeing 747 program
is undoubtedly the end of an era. The Boeing 747 first flew over 52 years ago, in 1969.
Thousands of 747s have been built, and the type has gone on to become an
icon of the aviation industry. Indeed, we only have to look at how disappointed many
travelers were when they missed out on the chance of a final Boeing 747 flight in 2020
when many airlines suddenly retired the type without notice last year.
The good news is that they won’t disappear from the skies completely any time soon.
While falling out of favor with passenger operators, the Queen of the Skies remains
a vital part of the cargo industry, and the aircraft yet to be delivered will have a fair
tour in the skies before retirement. Even passengers flights are possible,
though harder to find. One airline remains a strong possibility for 747 flights. Indeed,
German flag carrier Lufthansa has committed to its eight remaining 747-400s until 2023 and its 747-8s
for even longer. Air China and Korean Air are the other operators you’ll find operating the 747-8i.
Are you sad that Boeing 747 production is finally coming to an end?
Let us know what you think and why in the comments down below!