Well, some of you know that all their 744 will phased out by 2019 or 2020. Many of these 747 is set to leave fleet this year ahead of the arrival of the 787-10.

I'm hoping ORD can hang on to their 747 through the end of next summer (2019). I'm flying out to Poland, and I'd like to make it via Amsterdam.

Toronto is now showing a mix of B-747, B-787 and B-777W operating the KL691/692 for the foreseeable future. This according to Radar 24 through to April 2nd, inevitable I suppose.

SQ789 wrote:

Well, some of you know that all their 744 will phased out by 2019 or 2020.

Spring 2021. Just flip back one page:

747classic wrote:

Most recent KLM 744 phase-out schedule (subject to change) :

PH-BFC 7 Mar-18
PH-BFB Nov-18
PH-BFU Dec-18
PH-BFG Nov-19
PH-BFH Mar-20
PH-BFI May-20
PH-BFS Jun-20
PH-BFT Oct-20
PH-BFL Nov-20
PH-BFV Mar-21
PH-BFN Apr-21
PH-BFW Apr-21
PH-BFY Jun-21

Source : Scrammble- Praethuis - KLM (Dutch ).

On top of that, no plans for possible phaseout or replacement of the 744ERF/BCF subfleet. Yet.

The official video (made by AELS*) of the last flight of PH-BFF (Jan 28th) to ENS/EHTW is now on line : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMnUAE--6wE

* Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS)

There are only 12 remaining 744 in KLM fleet, 6 each which are 747 Combi and 6 others are standard version of the 747.

SQ789 wrote:

There are only 12 remaining 744 in KLM fleet, 6 each which are 747 Combi and 6 others are standard version of the 747.

I think the 6 PAX 747 include 2 Combis configured to PAX. 8 Combis plus 4 PAX plus 3 factory 744 freighters.

aristoenigma wrote:

I think the 6 PAX 747 include 2 Combis configured to PAX. 8 Combis plus 4 PAX plus 3 factory 744 freighters.

Think that there are 12 744 PAX and 3 Freighters then?

aristoenigma wrote:

I think the 6 PAX 747 include 2 Combis configured to PAX. 8 Combis plus 4 PAX plus 3 factory 744 freighters.

Think that there are 12 744 PAX and 3 Freighters then?

8 744 Combis plus 4 744 PAX plus 3 factory 744 Fs. Two of the Combis have been in PAX configuration but they are technically still Combis.

Plus 1x 747-212BCF , PH-MPS, also integrated into the KLM/MP cargo 744 fleet. The total operational KLM/MP fleet consist at this moment (until Nov 2018) of 16 aircraft.

747classic wrote:

Plus 1x 747-212BCF , PH-MPS, also integrated into the KLM/MP cargo 744 fleet. The total operational KLM/MP fleet consist at this moment (until Nov 2018) of 16 aircraft.

small details, it's a 747-412BCF

DALCE wrote:

747classic wrote:

Plus 1x 747-212BCF , PH-MPS, also integrated into the KLM/MP cargo 744 fleet. The total operational KLM/MP fleet consist at this moment (until Nov 2018) of 16 aircraft.

small details, it's a 747-412BCF

Not so small, a -200 vs -400
Still, this one seems to an oddball in more ways than one -- a conversion, PW-powered...

DALCE wrote:

747classic wrote:

Plus 1x 747-212BCF , PH-MPS, also integrated into the KLM/MP cargo 744 fleet. The total operational KLM/MP fleet consist at this moment (until Nov 2018) of 16 aircraft.

small details, it's a 747-412BCF

Correct, my typo !

Note : a 747-212 BCF has never been produced, an ex Singapore 747-212B, converted to full freighter would have been indicated by 747-212SF (= Special Freighter)

Currently at AMS soon going to board PH-BFI. I’m so happy I’m about to fly on the old lady, there aren’t many 747-400’s left!

ahmetdouas wrote:

Currently at AMS soon going to board PH-BFI. I’m so happy I’m about to fly on the old lady, there aren’t many 747-400’s left!

I feel a trip report comming on.

From Radar 24 it looks like you are on the KL695 to YYZ??? Hopefully you are enjoying the ride as I write this and I look forward to seeing some pictures when you have time. Meanwhile congratulations.

I was returning from Canada the other day back to Houston and as we were taxing past terminal 'D' I glimpsed for the first time the KLM 787-9 sitting at D12 and it just seemed so out of place. Twenty years of living in Houston and seeing that lilliputian 787 parked where "Big Blue" used to sit day in and day out, seems so wrong.

thomasphoto60 wrote:

I was returning from Canada the other day back to Houston and as we were taxing past terminal 'D' I glimpsed for the first time the KLM 787-9 sitting at D12 and it just seemed so out of place. Twenty years of living in Houston and seeing that lilliputian 787 parked where "Big Blue" used to sit day in and day out, seems so wrong.

Did KL up the frequency given the loss of seats on the route? Or was the route not performing well enough to sustain the number of seats of the 774, therefore not replacing with the 77W?

questions wrote:

thomasphoto60 wrote:

I was returning from Canada the other day back to Houston and as we were taxing past terminal 'D' I glimpsed for the first time the KLM 787-9 sitting at D12 and it just seemed so out of place. Twenty years of living in Houston and seeing that lilliputian 787 parked where "Big Blue" used to sit day in and day out, seems so wrong.

Did KL up the frequency given the loss of seats on the route? Or was the route not performing well enough to sustain the number of seats of the 774, therefore not replacing with the 77W?

I can not say, I let someone with a bit more info on that. However, from what I had read here and elsewhere when KLM originally announced the equipment change for IAH, they were planning to use the 77W on certain days and the 789 on others, but that was revised to a straight 789 schedule a few months later. Now the 747-400 used on the IAH run was a Combi, so perhaps the 789 is the right size bird for the route. Again, I let those with far more knowledge fill in the details.

questions wrote:

thomasphoto60 wrote:

I was returning from Canada the other day back to Houston and as we were taxing past terminal 'D' I glimpsed for the first time the KLM 787-9 sitting at D12 and it just seemed so out of place. Twenty years of living in Houston and seeing that lilliputian 787 parked where "Big Blue" used to sit day in and day out, seems so wrong.

Did KL up the frequency given the loss of seats on the route? Or was the route not performing well enough to sustain the number of seats of the 774, therefore not replacing with the 77W?

I can not say, I'll let someone with a bit more info field that question. However, from what I have read here and elsewhere when KLM originally announced the equipment change for IAH, they were planning to use the 77W on certain days and the 789 on others, but that was revised to a straight 789 schedule a few months later. Now the 747-400 used on the IAH run was a Combi, so perhaps the 789 is the right size bird for the route. Again, I let those with far more knowledge fill in the details.

thomasphoto60 wrote:

questions wrote:

thomasphoto60 wrote:

I was returning from Canada the other day back to Houston and as we were taxing past terminal 'D' I glimpsed for the first time the KLM 787-9 sitting at D12 and it just seemed so out of place. Twenty years of living in Houston and seeing that lilliputian 787 parked where "Big Blue" used to sit day in and day out, seems so wrong.

Did KL up the frequency given the loss of seats on the route? Or was the route not performing well enough to sustain the number of seats of the 774, therefore not replacing with the 77W?

I can not say, I'll let someone with a bit more info field that question. However, from what I have read here and elsewhere when KLM originally announced the equipment change for IAH, they were planning to use the 77W on certain days and the 789 on others, but that was revised to a straight 789 schedule a few months later. Now the 747-400 used on the IAH run was a Combi, so perhaps the 789 is the right size bird for the route. Again, I let those with far more knowledge fill in the details.

AMS-IAH gained seats, but lost cargo space with the change from B74M to B789.

SEATING + Cargo Capacity:
- B74M = 268 seats + 7 maindeck positions and a capacity of 45 tonnes.
- B789 = 294 seats + palletized holds forward and rear.

factsonly wrote:

AMS-IAH gained seats, but lost cargo space with the change from B74M to B789.

SEATING + Cargo Capacity:
- B74M = 268 seats + 7 maindeck positions and a capacity of 45 tonnes.
- B789 = 294 seats + palletized holds forward and rear.

Or in other terms; the 747-400M could hold 32 LD3 below; the 787-9 can hold 36. If KLM happen to switch or combine the route with the 777-300ER; this could grow to 44.
So if KLM don't *need* the upper deck cargo capabilities, the new aircraft could be more usefull.
And like you said, more passengers and much more economical.

But horses were a big thing to IAH if I recall correctly. That's done now ...

Guys it was an amazing flight with beautiful views of Greenland. The 747 is such a glorious bird I loved it, it handles so smoothly and the landing and take off felt so graceful. I will really miss her when she is gone, it feels far superior to the 777 and A380. I was chatting with the cabin purser and he told me he started his career in 1989 on the KLM 747 and will be sad when they go.

I could care less if the IFE is dated, the plane felt like it can fly another 20 years!

boeing767300 wrote:

From Radar 24 it looks like you are on the KL695 to YYZ??? Hopefully you are enjoying the ride as I write this and I look forward to seeing some pictures when you have time. Meanwhile congratulations.

How do you attach photos? I have quite a few nice ones!

ahmetdouas wrote:

How do you attach photos? I have quite a few nice ones!

Click on the double commas at top right, then click in the "mountain icon", representing an image icon in 3rd row then paste image address of your photo (right click on your photo) in between, not your browser address of your photo.
Yes, only linked pics, no direct upload.

Will the KL 744 still be on the HKG route through june? Never seen one before and my schedule gets me into hkg at the time she usually arrives, would love to get some photos

Ellofiend wrote:

Will the KL 744 still be on the HKG route through june? Never seen one before and my schedule gets me into hkg at the time she usually arrives, would love to get some photos

June will still see the 747 but not daily.

For the fans who have not been on the KLM 747 (including me ); some people have made a 3D/VR model of a full-pax 747.
You can look around the entire aircraft (including the cockpit) here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=wy1aibgHJia
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Farewel ... 011377576/

Iemand91 wrote:

For the fans who have not been on the KLM 747 (including me ); some people have made a 3D/VR model of a full-pax 747.
You can look around the entire aircraft (including the cockpit) here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=wy1aibgHJia
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Farewel ... 011377576/

Incredible. Thank you for sharing.

jbs2886 wrote:

Iemand91 wrote:

For the fans who have not been on the KLM 747 (including me ); some people have made a 3D/VR model of a full-pax 747.
You can look around the entire aircraft (including the cockpit) here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=wy1aibgHJia
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Farewel ... 011377576/

Incredible. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for sharing with us, The interior is bigger then I thought.

One of KLM Cargo's 747-400ERF freighters has just landed at Amsterdam, back from D-check in Xiamen.
PH-CKA is now also wearing the new dolphin livery:


Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142255795 ... 868186384/

Iemand91 wrote:

One of KLM Cargo's 747-400ERF freighters has just landed at Amsterdam, back from D-check in Xiamen.
PH-CKA is now also wearing the new dolphin livery:


Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142255795 ... 868186384/

Looks great in the new livery.

Beautiful this new KLM Cargo airplane is


A388

They've started cutting up PH-BFR "Rio de Janeiro" at Twente Airport.


Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

Found this on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNNM3Pmi0hs

Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS) is holding another auction, selling parts of PH-BFR (pictured in my post above) and bits of PH-BFF.
Also bits and pieces from Air France's A340-300's F-GLZI and F-GLZR and Swiss A340-300 HB-JMK.
It varies from 747 winglet to A340 crew rest and steering column to entrance doors.

Not sure how much this is of interest to anyone, but I have to share. I flew last Sunday evening LHR to JNB on BA57, operated by 747-400. No bragging intended, but up to now I've flown the queen only a handful of times, and always in the upper deck. This time I was in the lower deck, exactly in the middle where the wing meets the body, and facing backwards. I didn't seen nearly anything else from the window apart from that massive wing. Absolutely huge. And seeing that wing twist and turn, and the flappy thingies going all over the place during the flight with amazing agility, while carrying that massive body - was nearly a spiritual experience. It just made me respect what marvel of engineering this plane is - especially given that is was first designed in the 1960's. I really felt privileged to be on board. It may have even been my last flight on the -400, there were so few of them up to now already.

At the same time I did realize that the giant bird IS getting old, it's like a dinosaur in a modern day, still so incredibly beautiful and graceful though. It was a special moment to (re-)live a chapter in aviation history. Seeing these babies scrapped makes me feel incredibly sad. I know it's their time, but I feel so sad. And even by today's standards, the ride is incredibly smooth! I wonder what the pilots of today feel like when they fly these, is it just another day in the office, or still even a little bit of something special?

What an awesome airplane.

*sigh*

The scrapping of KLM's PH-BFR "Rio de Janeiro" continues.

First picture is taken last weekend:


Source

Next two are taken yesterday (August 14):


Source



Source

She'll probably be gone before the weekend ...

Iemand91 wrote:

The scrapping of KLM's PH-BFR "Rio de Janeiro" continues.
She'll probably be gone before the weekend ...

She is. Rio is gone...


Source

She's the 2nd or 3rd KLM 747-400 to be scrapped completely.

Is so sad to see such a beatiful aircraft like the 747 is being scrapped, has anyone news about when will be the farawell flight? I may try to be there

Good news for the queen, KLM will apparently keep the 747 a bit longer.

Link (in french):
http://www.air-journal.fr/2018-08-28-kl ... 03593.html
In english:
https://worldairlinenews.com/2018/08/28 ... 400-fleet/

Boair wrote:

Good news for the queen, KLM will apparently keep the 747 a bit longer.

Link (in french):
http://www.air-journal.fr/2018-08-28-kl ... 03593.html
In english:
https://worldairlinenews.com/2018/08/28 ... 400-fleet/

Not really news. The last KLM 747's will leave after the summer of 2021 and that's known already.

76er wrote:

SQ789 wrote:

Well, some of you know that all their 744 will phased out by 2019 or 2020.

Spring 2021. Just flip back one page:

747classic wrote:

Most recent KLM 744 phase-out schedule (subject to change) :

PH-BFC 7 Mar-18
PH-BFB Nov-18
PH-BFU Dec-18
PH-BFG Nov-19
PH-BFH Mar-20
PH-BFI May-20
PH-BFS Jun-20
PH-BFT Oct-20
PH-BFL Nov-20
PH-BFV Mar-21
PH-BFN Apr-21
PH-BFW Apr-21
PH-BFY Jun-21

Source : Scrammble- Praethuis - KLM (Dutch ).

On top of that, no plans for possible phaseout or replacement of the 744ERF/BCF subfleet. Yet.

Just wonder if above 747 retirement schedule is still current. I noticed on the Dutch Wiki KLM page there will be 4 787-10s delivered in 2019 (number of pax also rose from 338 to 344 for the KLM 787-10). IIRC, the previous delivery schedule for 787-10 was 2 in 2019, 3 in 2020 and 3 in 2021. Seems 2 of the 2020 deliveries were pulled forward, I wonder if this means some 744s will be retired in 2019 instead of 2020 too?

frigatebird wrote:

76er wrote:

SQ789 wrote:

Well, some of you know that all their 744 will phased out by 2019 or 2020.

Spring 2021. Just flip back one page:

747classic wrote:

Most recent KLM 744 phase-out schedule (subject to change) :

PH-BFC 7 Mar-18
PH-BFB Nov-18
PH-BFU Dec-18
PH-BFG Nov-19
PH-BFH Mar-20
PH-BFI May-20
PH-BFS Jun-20
PH-BFT Oct-20
PH-BFL Nov-20
PH-BFV Mar-21
PH-BFN Apr-21
PH-BFW Apr-21
PH-BFY Jun-21

Source : Scrammble- Praethuis - KLM (Dutch ).

On top of that, no plans for possible phaseout or replacement of the 744ERF/BCF subfleet. Yet.

Just wonder if above 747 retirement schedule is still current. I noticed on the Dutch Wiki KLM page there will be 4 787-10s delivered in 2019 (number of pax also rose from 338 to 344 for the KLM 787-10). IIRC, the previous delivery schedule for 787-10 was 2 in 2019, 3 in 2020 and 3 in 2021. Seems 2 of the 2020 deliveries were pulled forward, I wonder if this means some 744s will be retired in 2019 instead of 2020 too?

I already miss The Big Friendly Giant (PH-BFG) winging her way over Maho Beach at Sint Maarten. Somehow the A332 doesn't quite do it for me...

Looks like retirement will be delayed by a year.

frigatebird wrote:

Just wonder if above 747 retirement schedule is still current. I noticed on the Dutch Wiki KLM page there will be 4 787-10s delivered in 2019 (number of pax also rose from 338 to 344 for the KLM 787-10). IIRC, the previous delivery schedule for 787-10 was 2 in 2019, 3 in 2020 and 3 in 2021. Seems 2 of the 2020 deliveries were pulled forward, I wonder if this means some 744s will be retired in 2019 instead of 2020 too?

I heard the last flight for -BFB will be on November 26 and -BFU on April 8, 2019.

As for the introduction of the 787-10; I'm not sure. It depends where the submitter of the wiki-page got their info from. In the past Wikipedia hasn't been very reliable for a source.

neomax wrote:

Looks like retirement will be delayed by a year.

Nope, as I said in my previous post above, the 747 retirement in 2021 was known already for quite some time.

Iemand91 wrote:

Well, there's a chance a full KLM 747-400 will stay in the Netherlands.

There's construction going on in the old Sony and AirHolland buildings in Amsterdam, it will become the Corendon Village Hotel and with 677 rooms it will become the biggest hotel in the Benelux.
And apparently they're talking with KLM about placing an entire KLM 747-400 on the hotel grounds. It will be used as a museum, but it's not yet decided what kind of museum.
The plan is to place the aircraft there in 2018.

They've already placed a Boeing 737 cockpit in another hotel; the Corendon Vitality Hotel Amsterdam in 2014.

Iemand91 wrote:

Iemand91 wrote:

Well, there's a chance a full KLM 747-400 will stay in the Netherlands.

There's construction going on in the old Sony and AirHolland buildings in Amsterdam, it will become the Corendon Village Hotel and with 677 rooms it will become the biggest hotel in the Benelux.
And apparently they're talking with KLM about placing an entire KLM 747-400 on the hotel grounds. It will be used as a museum, but it's not yet decided what kind of museum.
The plan is to place the aircraft there in 2018.

They've already placed a Boeing 737 cockpit in another hotel; the Corendon Vitality Hotel Amsterdam in 2014.

In this - Dutch - article it is said this will be a ex-Transaero 747, not a KLM 747.

As for updates on the KLM 747 fleet: in this - Dutch - article from today; a KLM spokesman said the last KLM 747 will be phased out afther the 2021 summer season.
The youngest 747 (delivered in April 2002) PH-BFY will probably be the last man standing...

Meanwhile; PH-BFW has returned to Xiamen for a C-check a week ago. She was there in 2016 for a D-check.

It's going to be a KLM 747-400 after all. KLM's PH-BFB (currently the worlds oldest active 747-400) will be placed next to Corendon Hotel ; near Amsterdam Airport.
PH-BFB "City of Bangkok" is scheduled to retire next month and the plan is fly her to Rome for painting, fly her back to Amsterdam and then it's going to be a big operation to lift her to her final place at the hotel. She should be placed at the hotel in February 2019.

Iemand91 wrote:

She should be placed at the hotel in February 2019.

Call me cynical but I believe it when I see it.