Wonder if UA and DL might keep a few 744's active for the college bowl season ?

Some of the larger colleges can easily fill 744's with fans or the teams themselves

Delta could fly some more 747s to MSP for the next 5 days. With DTWs longest RWY closed they have to land at MSP to refuel. It already happened two days ago on the Shanghai flight.

MaxTrimm wrote:

Refer to this article for updated 744 passenger fleet/retirement information: http://layoverhub.net/remaining-boeing- ... tirements/

Interesting link, didn't realize so many 744s were still active. The Iraqi one is really beautiful.

I just flew 4X-ELA JFK-TLV and 4X-ELE on return. Very mixed feelings, probably my last flight on a 747 but both planes are begging for the boneyard. Granted, part of it is El Al's unique situation w security costs, sabbath flight restrictions, etc.,but the planes are an abomination. Clear that if it isn't safety related, they're not spending one shekel. That includes grime on the ceilings, broken lights, bad IFEs that are antiquated, etc. I'm not trashing El Al per se, the crews were great and the smoothest ride is still a 747 (OK I haven't flown an A380), but I would have really preferred 777. I tried to be sentimental but prefer to remember my first 747 flights as a child in the 70s. Once the last 744s are gone and LY has 5-6 787s, whole look and feel of the airline will be better.

And as irony, we arrived in TLV 4 hours bf first 787 arrival ...

UA released its retirement flight for the 744
https://twitter.com/united/status/909859584281645056
https://hub.united.com/united-747-final ... 29593.html

Last flight announced:


This fall we will say goodbye to the Queen of the Skies as we retire the Boeing 747 from our fleet, as we shared in a message from Scott Kirby last January. This iconic aircraft deserves a retirement celebration for the ages, so on Nov. 7, we will be flying a special final flight between SFO and HNL, recreating the very first United 747 flight that took place in the summer of 1970.
From a 1970s-inspired menu to retro uniforms for flight attendants to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. We will be inviting employees, customers, sales partners and other guests to join us on this farewell journey in addition to selling seats. The festivities will begin with a 9:00 a.m. gate celebration at SFO, followed by an 11:00 a.m. departure. Upon landing in Honolulu at 2:45 p.m., local employees will welcome the aircraft with final festivities to close out the historic day.
To give even more employees the opportunity to say farewell to the 747 before its retirement, we'll be flying the aircraft from hub to hub throughout October for a series of gate celebrations and special flights. We will be announcing the schedule and more details about participation in these events soon. United's final international 747 flight from Seoul to SFO departs October 29.

flyfresno wrote:

Two years ago, I don't think anyone thought that DAL would keep their 747s longer than UAL (albeit by only about 40 days).

To be honest given how much UA had been talking about replacing them and the complete lack of a Y interior overhaul I think most people 2 years ago expected UA to get rid of the 747 faster than DL. People would have been more shocked over just how quickly DL was dumping the plane after completely refreshing their interiors.

Delta released a video of the recent last scheduled 744 domestic flights (Hurricane Irma evacuations not withstanding) from HNL to LAX and to DTW

http://news.delta.com/delta-customers-e ... boeing-747

As of right now, the last scheduled DL 744 flight is still DL158 ICN-DTW on Sunday 12/17/17

Looks like United will be doing a one-off 747 SFO-HNL flight on Tues, Nov 7 to send off the Queen of the Skies:

https://hub.united.com/united-747-final ... 29593.html

Serving as the ultimate throwback for customers, employees and invited guests, we plan to recreate the first 747 flight operated by us in 1970. From a 1970s-inspired menu to our flight attendants retro uniforms to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. The original United 747 aircraft that first made this journey from San Francisco to Honolulu was named the "Friend Ship," the same name bestowed on this farewell flight.

That flight won't be cheap, I bet.

Bye bye United 747, but based on comments from the experience onboard and poor reliability of model I don't think many will miss her.

Already sold out. They did a poor job of letting people know about the flight, especially there Global Services and 1K's. Heck they should have advertised and published these last flights long ago to everyone. Oh well, hope UNITED AIRLINES needs to add another flight from LAX to HNL.

Looks like 0 seats have been sold. Looks like the seats hold hasn't been lifted yet.

[threeid][/threeid]

adamblang wrote:

Looks like 0 seats have been sold. Looks like the seats hold hasn't been lifted yet.

I could be wrong, but it looks booked right to capacity in each class of service. Showing a Group of 200+ though, so i'm not sure what that's all about?

United has blocked 47 seats for at least 1 contest they're running for travel agents - they're probably doing special invites with the rest.. Yo, United, how about running something for corporate travel managers who sell a lot of United and live in Hawaii?

I don't even see it on the website now.

flyfresno wrote:

F9Animal wrote:

There was a rumor they might paint a 747 in tulip colors for its retirement? That sure would be a nice touch!

It would also be a very expensive touch!

IIRC....wasn't the 1st 727 flying in its original scheme during its last few weeks?

LAXintl wrote:

Last flight announced:



To give even more employees the opportunity to say farewell to the 747 before its retirement, we'll be flying the aircraft from hub to hub throughout October for a series of gate celebrations and special flights. We will be announcing the schedule and more details about participation in these events soon. United's final international 747 flight from Seoul to SFO departs October 29.[/i]

If anyone receives details for the final hub to hub flights please post ASAP......looking forward to the one from IAD

B777LRforeveR wrote:

LAXintl wrote:

Last flight announced:



To give even more employees the opportunity to say farewell to the 747 before its retirement, we'll be flying the aircraft from hub to hub throughout October for a series of gate celebrations and special flights. We will be announcing the schedule and more details about participation in these events soon. United's final international 747 flight from Seoul to SFO departs October 29.[/i]

If anyone receives details for the final hub to hub flights please post ASAP......looking forward to the one from IAD

Is there going to be one from IAD?

Once the aircraft arrives into HNL where will it be going? It would be a long way for it to ferry empty back to VCV/MHV.

How about the return flight HNL-SFO? (Or maybe HNL-VCV...?!)

And how about a donation to a aviation museum???

Apparently economy seats were selling for $551 a pop. Pricey to say the least. Sold out in about 90 minutes, though

I'm pretty sure both UA and DL could operate a week of 747 flights back and forth between hubs like this sell out every one for premium $$$.

jayunited wrote:

jetblastdubai wrote:

How much slack is built into the current 744 fleet? I know at least 1 unit is a dedicated charter frame and that leaves 20 remaining 744s on property. Does UA keep a few back-up planes in SFO for contigency purposes and if so, how many? 14 77Ws and 3 789s scheduled to arrive this year won't fill the vacuum left by 21 744s especially if additional 772s flying Int'l are being converted to domestic birds.

Could there be another source of new/used planes to backfill the fleet?

UA does not come close to using 21 744's. All 744's have been pulled from regular service at ORD which leaves only SFO, with the current and future schedule UA only uses 10-14 frames on a daily basis. From SFO UA flies the 744 to HKG, NRT, PEK, FRA, TPE, and ICN, you can add LHR to the list for the summer and one of the 2 daily SFO-PVG routes is scheduled to resume 744 service in the spring. If all these routes go 77W there are your 14 frames.


For all the problems UA has had in recent memory with this particular fleet it will be strange when the day comes that the Queen of the Skies no longer flies for United Airlines. Reading the responses from employees and just talking to my coworkers a lot of us wanted to see the 747-8 join UA's fleet it just wasn't meant to be. Although I completely understand the economics of 2 engine aircraft v.s. 4 engine aircraft it is still no less shocking to realize that come 2018 no US flagged passenger service airline will be flying any version of the iconic 747.

Queen can only live for So Long. Just like the B747-200 the -400 will fade into History. The reliability of the Big Twins spelled it's doom and it will take a disaster of EPIC proportions to make it a viable alternative again.

adamblang wrote:

Looks like 0 seats have been sold. Looks like the seats hold hasn't been lifted yet.

It's sold out. I am not a United employee, rather a paying customer. It sold out in 90 minutes. I know because I bought one of the economy seats in it.

AWACSooner wrote:

That flight won't be cheap, I bet.

I got my window seat for $300. Granted, The only way I was able to do that was book a "multi-city" itinerary. Still, the entire round-trip from IAD-HNL and back was only $800. Not too bad. Now, on the other hand, the final international flight from ICN-SFO in the upper deck on the 29th of October, set me back around $4k. Still kicking myself for that one, especially since this one has now been announced...

MaxTrimm wrote:

Apparently economy seats were selling for $551 a pop. Pricey to say the least. Sold out in about 90 minutes, though

That's not extraordinarily expensive for HNL. I regularly see RT fares out of PHX for ~$1k.

Does any one know e tail number of the last flight?

Does anyone know the status of N121UA?

Sad to see another of the launch customers finally retire the 747.

The last flight to HNL makes me think of the Hawaii 5-0 footage they used in the later series, of the 747-100 in the original livery.

I saw a UA 747 at LHR last week. I flew to FRA and there was one there too. Looks like they're the last ones I'll see.

By the time I heard about the last flight it was already sold out

My wishful thinking is that UA might do some hub-hub farewell flights between the last ICN rotation and the HNL flight.

I'd say the majority of seats sold were probably to employees. In my department alone I know of 19 people who bought seats

B747forever wrote:

By the time I heard about the last flight it was already sold out

My wishful thinking is that UA might do some hub-hub farewell flights between the last ICN rotation and the HNL flight.

They announced that the 747 will be operating hub-hub throughout October in the announcement about the SFO-HNL final flight.

Does anyone know where the aircraft is going from HNL?

77H

77H wrote:

B747forever wrote:

By the time I heard about the last flight it was already sold out

My wishful thinking is that UA might do some hub-hub farewell flights between the last ICN rotation and the HNL flight.

They announced that the 747 will be operating hub-hub throughout October in the announcement about the SFO-HNL final flight.

Does anyone know where the aircraft is going from HNL?

77H

Wait, really? All I ever wanted was to be able to fly SFO-DEN or LAX-DEN on the 747 one last time. I had very little interest in booking the very last SFO-HNL flight, but if they're doing hub-hub next month, then sign me up.

intotheair wrote:

77H wrote:

B747forever wrote:

By the time I heard about the last flight it was already sold out

My wishful thinking is that UA might do some hub-hub farewell flights between the last ICN rotation and the HNL flight.

They announced that the 747 will be operating hub-hub throughout October in the announcement about the SFO-HNL final flight.

Does anyone know where the aircraft is going from HNL?

77H

Wait, really? All I ever wanted was to be able to fly SFO-DEN or LAX-DEN on the 747 one last time. I had very little interest in booking the very last SFO-HNL flight, but if they're doing hub-hub next month, then sign me up.

It looks like it will be traveling from hub to hub for gate celebrations throughout October. I imagine they will be rev flights as it would be awfully expensive to ferry it around for sake of it. Even if she is the Queen. I wonder why UA isn't operating the aircraft on a turn back to SFO then onto storage/scrapper. Given how quickly SFO-HNL sold out surely there are thousands of people who missed out on getting a seat that would pay.

UA says the first rev 747 flight was SFO-HNL which most likely meant HNL-SFO was the second. Seems like a waste to pay for fuel and pilots from HNL-VCV/MHV/etc when you could fill the return and only have to pay SFO-VCV/MHV/etc. But what do I know. Congrats to everyone who got a seat. I'll be waving you in on the ramp in HNL!!! I'm sure half the airport will turn out.

77H

TWA772LR wrote:

Does anyone know the status of N121UA?

N121UA is at SFO

Is it certain that it won't stay in HNL as a static display for a loooooooong time?

OneSexyL1011 wrote:

I'd say the majority of seats sold were probably to employees. In my department alone I know of 19 people who bought seats

Unless your department had the inside track that this announcement and flight was going to be announced I seriously doubt 19 people from one department bought tickets. I know many department directors and some V.P.'s here at Willis Tower who immediately tried after the announcement was made to buy tickets and they were already sold out and these directors and V.P.'s had no idea this announcement was coming so I find it odd that 19 people from one department was able to secure tickets unless they knew in advance this flight would take place and what time the seats would go on sale. If that is what happened shame on United because everyone both the general public and employees should have equal access to these seats.

For others who would like to get on one of those hub to hub flights what I was told is keep checking the website and hope that you get lucky because if the SFO-HNL flight is any indication by the time the announcement is made the flights will probably sell out in a matter of minutes. So by the time it is posted websites like this one it already to late the flight is sold out. So I for one will be checking United.com every day hoping to secure a seat on one of the hub to hub flights.

Does anybody know when UA might bring the 747 to Houston in October for the Hub to hub celebration flights?

An employee told me the company plans to keep 2 aircraft in the fleet. I am assuming they will be used for military and other charters. Has anyone heard of this?

77H wrote:

It looks like it will be traveling from hub to hub for gate celebrations throughout October. I imagine they will be rev flights as it would be awfully expensive to ferry it around for sake of it. Even if she is the Queen. I wonder why UA isn't operating the aircraft on a turn back to SFO then onto storage/scrapper. Given how quickly SFO-HNL sold out surely there are thousands of people who missed out on getting a seat that would pay.

77H

I hope they do not add a flight back to SFO. All that would succeed in doing, is devaluing everyone's seat bought on this one, as it would then not truly be the "last" flight. If they were to do that, should've been announced with this one. Call me selfish, but when I'm told it'll be the special last flight and then I pay money for it, it should actually be the last flight.

ual763 wrote:

77H wrote:

It looks like it will be traveling from hub to hub for gate celebrations throughout October. I imagine they will be rev flights as it would be awfully expensive to ferry it around for sake of it. Even if she is the Queen. I wonder why UA isn't operating the aircraft on a turn back to SFO then onto storage/scrapper. Given how quickly SFO-HNL sold out surely there are thousands of people who missed out on getting a seat that would pay.

77H

I hope they do not add a flight back to SFO. All that would succeed in doing, is devaluing everyone's seat bought on this one, as it would then not truly be the "last" flight. If they were to do that, should've been announced with this one. Call me selfish, but when I'm told it'll be the special last flight and then I pay money for it, it should actually be the last flight.

That is a fair point. I was looking at it from a purely logistical and financial standpoint. To me it makes more sense logistically and financially to operate the aircraft with paying customers back to SFO then ferry it to its resting place than to operate a ferry from HNL to that place. Ideally they open the return flight (if there is one) for industry non-revs or UA employees. If the latter, my understanding is UA could still operate Part 91 back to the mainland if it is just employees.

77H

jayunited wrote:

OneSexyL1011 wrote:

I'd say the majority of seats sold were probably to employees. In my department alone I know of 19 people who bought seats

Unless your department had the inside track that this announcement and flight was going to be announced I seriously doubt 19 people from one department bought tickets. I know many department directors and some V.P.'s here at Willis Tower who immediately tried after the announcement was made to buy tickets and they were already sold out and these directors and V.P.'s had no idea this announcement was coming so I find it odd that 19 people from one department was able to secure tickets unless they knew in advance this flight would take place and what time the seats would go on sale. If that is what happened shame on United because everyone both the general public and employees should have equal access to these seats.

For others who would like to get on one of those hub to hub flights what I was told is keep checking the website and hope that you get lucky because if the SFO-HNL flight is any indication by the time the announcement is made the flights will probably sell out in a matter of minutes. So by the time it is posted websites like this one it already to late the flight is sold out. So I for one will be checking United.com every day hoping to secure a seat on one of the hub to hub flights.

There are over a 1000 employess in the NOC any given day. Its quite very possible.
And yes, word spreads very fast on 27 and 28 in big Willy.

AMERICAN757 wrote:

Does anybody know when UA might bring the 747 to Houston in October for the Hub to hub celebration flights?

I don't know yet, but they will definitely bring it, because it is touring "all domestic hubs."

Second, United has said that the 747 will make one final tour of domestic hubs in October. We don’t have any details on that yet, but I will provide updates as they become available.

http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/ ... ic-flight/

So if you live in any of these cities, you will probably get a chance to see it.

Newark
Washington D.C.
Chicago
Houston
Denver
Los Angeles (Maybe?)

Looks like this one is about to make it's final landing in VCV. Farewell.

https://www.flightradar24.com/UAL2799/eff23c1

WN732 wrote:

Looks like this one is about to make it's final landing in VCV. Farewell.

https://www.flightradar24.com/UAL2799/eff23c1

Got to fly on her sisters 117UA and 118UA over Labor Day weekend. Will be very sad to see those two go

although sites google showed that N181UA was the next one to exit the fleet, N116UA surprisingly exited before 181

Fond memories. No more. I'll never fly one again. Oh well.

United planning 2-hour celebration flights departing and arriving in same city, along with open-house tour.

SFO - 12 Oct
LAX - 16 & 17 Oct
IAH - 18 Oct
IAD - 19 Oct
EWR - 24 Oct
ORD - 25 Oct
DEN - 26 Oct

Sooner787 wrote:

Wonder if UA and DL might keep a few 744's active for the college bowl season ?

Some of the larger colleges can easily fill 744's with fans or the teams themselves

Delta is flying the 744 to TPA*, LAX, SEA, EWR, CLT, DFW, BUF, and FLL in this order. If you live in these cities, keep an eye on Delta's 744 fleet on Flightradar between Dec. 19-31.

*TPA will get the 744 twice

FoxtrotSierra wrote:

Sooner787 wrote:

Wonder if UA and DL might keep a few 744's active for the college bowl season ?

Some of the larger colleges can easily fill 744's with fans or the teams themselves

Delta is flying the 744 to TPA*, LAX, SEA, EWR, CLT, DFW, BUF, and FLL in this order. If you live in these cities, keep an eye on Delta's 744 fleet on Flightradar between Dec. 19-31.

*TPA will get the 744 twice

Thanks for the heads up. I assume the DFW visit will be bringing schools in for the Cotton Bowl one last time?

LAXintl wrote:

United planning 2-hour celebration flights departing and arriving in same city, along with open-house tour.

Will these fights be open to the public? If so, is there a website/etc. available to book one?