UA accelerates 747-400 retirement

CONTACREW · Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:28 pm

xxcr wrote:
adamblang wrote:
xxcr wrote:
a few of the above flights are wrong.

They were right five months ago when the post was made.
xxcr wrote:
SFO-ICN - Oct 29--no idea what they'll fly here after the 744 retires. Maybe the 77W or 789??

It's showing a 789 in the schedule right now.

i just checked, it still shows a 744 for the next few weeks.

It switches to the 789 October 29th.

VirginFlyer · Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:09 pm

kgaiflyer wrote:
Luckily I've gotten my 747 kicks on Northwest, KLM, and British Airways.

Shame, though - I've flown the 200 and the 300 but never the 400.

Oh well. Too late now.

There's a few more years in the 747-400 with other operators, so you haven't missed your chance yet. Have a look at this thread I posted last week with details of who is still flying them: Boeing 747-400 Passenger Fleet Tracking/Retirements Thread.

V/F

BOEING777EK · Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:51 pm

United Boeing 747-400 N104UA is now ferried to Victorville for storage as UA2780 last passenger flight was from Beijing to San Francisco as UA889

xxcr · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:05 pm

what happens to the seats and interiors once they arrive at victorville? are they stored in a warehouse or scrapped along with the plane?

BOEING777EK · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:20 pm

xxcr wrote:
what happens to the seats and interiors once they arrive at victorville? are they stored in a warehouse or scrapped along with the plane?

Depends on what the previous operator wants to do with the retired airframe if its a scrap deal then all the interior will be decommissioned and parted out, if their storing and putting the retired plane on sale then the interior will be the same depending on whats the next operator is planning to do with the plane interior change etc. And if the plane is bought for passenger to freighter conversion then the interior will be removed alongside other cabin equipment thats all i know so far

UAL747422 · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:32 pm

I'm really bummed out about it to☹️. Why can't Boeing try a little harder than the -8 and make it the next big thing? I always wished UA would order the -8, but they're not looking for that type of market.☹️

KTPAFlyer · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:50 pm

readytotaxi wrote:
We appear to have lost the SFO 747 here at LHR, now getting the T7 unless this is a seasonal thing.

Took this two days ago at LHR

stealth777 · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:57 pm

N107UA (B744) is about to depart SFO for LHR, so yeah the B744 is still on the SFO-LHR run for a bit.

glbltrvlr · Tue Jul 18, 2017 1:22 am

xxcr wrote:
SFO-PEK - Oct 28-This will be the last 744 Flight. UA889

Uh, no... 889 is the PEK-SFO flight, and according to the United public reservation interface, turns into a 889 on September 7th.

jfklganyc · Tue Jul 18, 2017 1:35 am

I remember the summer before Delta retired the 762. Every LGA-ATL flight was on a 762.

Long story short, enjoy them in LHR while they last. One last hurrah.

Super80Fan · Tue Jul 18, 2017 1:44 am

Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Bald1983 · Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:11 am

Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Why shame on Delta and United? They are retiring a plane that served its purpose well, but is out of date and cannot compete with newer aircraft. The aircraft are not there for ascetics; they are there to make money. I recall a time, before the merger when Continental launched EWR to HKG using 777 ERs. Pre-Merger UAL tried it with 747-400's from JFK and lost out big time. It is not about prestige; it is about money and making it. That is why you do not see any American flagged carrier buying A-380's.

AA737-823 · Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:24 am

Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Dude, they're approaching 30 years old. Delta was flying the very first 744 constructed.
It's time.
They've lasted far longer than the previous generation 747s typically did, in PAX service.

Granted, I'd like to see UA and DL flying 748's to replace them, but that clearly isn't going to happen, as both have chosen airplanes that better suit their needs.

Super80Fan · Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:34 pm

AA737-823 wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Dude, they're approaching 30 years old. Delta was flying the very first 744 constructed.
It's time.
They've lasted far longer than the previous generation 747s typically did, in PAX service.

Granted, I'd like to see UA and DL flying 748's to replace them, but that clearly isn't going to happen, as both have chosen airplanes that better suit their needs.

I know it's time, I just don't want to see the Queen of the Skies go. Unfortunately I have yet to fly on one but hopefully even if I can't catch a 744 I can hitch a ride on a Lufthansa/Korean Air 748.

jbs2886 · Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:51 pm

Super80Fan wrote:
AA737-823 wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Dude, they're approaching 30 years old. Delta was flying the very first 744 constructed.
It's time.
They've lasted far longer than the previous generation 747s typically did, in PAX service.

Granted, I'd like to see UA and DL flying 748's to replace them, but that clearly isn't going to happen, as both have chosen airplanes that better suit their needs.

I know it's time, I just don't want to see the Queen of the Skies go. Unfortunately I have yet to fly on one but hopefully even if I can't catch a 744 I can hitch a ride on a Lufthansa/Korean Air 748.

So what do you expect UA and DL to do? Its one thing not to want them to go, but quite another to say "shame" on UA and DL and its "[a]bsolutely revolting."

ILNFlyer · Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:59 pm

I have a feeling that in the future, seats on a 748i are going to come at a premium for 747 lovers like us.

mcdu · Tue Jul 18, 2017 3:13 pm

Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

What are you on about? Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes? It's a business.

You should have a rethink of what is actually shameful in this world. Removing 747's from a fleet is certainly not.

Super80Fan · Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:20 pm

mcdu wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

What are you on about? Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes? It's a business.

You should have a rethink of what is actually shameful in this world. Removing 747's from a fleet is certainly not.

Absolutely. Nostalgic fleets of DC-3's, DC-9's, DC-10's, 747's, 727's, MD80's, and A300's just for me. (I'm joking, I don't expect airlines to operate planes that aren't viable for their business but my feelings for certain aircraft trump practicality at times).

RyanairGuru · Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:52 am

Super80Fan wrote:
AA737-823 wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

Dude, they're approaching 30 years old. Delta was flying the very first 744 constructed.
It's time.
They've lasted far longer than the previous generation 747s typically did, in PAX service.

Granted, I'd like to see UA and DL flying 748's to replace them, but that clearly isn't going to happen, as both have chosen airplanes that better suit their needs.

I know it's time, I just don't want to see the Queen of the Skies go. Unfortunately I have yet to fly on one but hopefully even if I can't catch a 744 I can hitch a ride on a Lufthansa/Korean Air 748.

You still have plenty of time to fly on a 747-400 if you want to, just not with DL or UA. British Airways, Lufthansa and Qantas, and probably several more, will be flying the 747-400 into the 2020s.

KTPAFlyer · Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:13 am

This is kind of a side tangent, but I've always wanted to get a picture like the cover photo for up in the air, which was of a 744 in DTW. Since DL is also accelerating their 744 retirements, I probably won't be able to get to DTW before then. Anybody else know what other airports could offer a similar photo op?

BOEING777EK · Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:02 am

when will the next 747-400 of UA will be retired? and which registration will it be?

iahcsr · Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:22 am

BOEING777EK wrote:
when will the next 747-400 of UA will be retired? and which registration will it be?

N127UA 15Aug'17 .. Subject to change of course.
14 currently left in service

Eyad89 · Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:28 am

jbs2886 wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
AA737-823 wrote:

Dude, they're approaching 30 years old. Delta was flying the very first 744 constructed.
It's time.
They've lasted far longer than the previous generation 747s typically did, in PAX service.

Granted, I'd like to see UA and DL flying 748's to replace them, but that clearly isn't going to happen, as both have chosen airplanes that better suit their needs.

I know it's time, I just don't want to see the Queen of the Skies go. Unfortunately I have yet to fly on one but hopefully even if I can't catch a 744 I can hitch a ride on a Lufthansa/Korean Air 748.

So what do you expect UA and DL to do? Its one thing not to want them to go, but quite another to say "shame" on UA and DL and its "[a]bsolutely revolting."

At least 747 had the glory to be called queen of the skies for decades. It is not a shame at all, it has done its part. If Boeing only made 747 in all of its history, then that would be enough to make Boeing proud for ever. However, the case of A380 is different, I feel sad already knowing that it won't have that success. Seeing it go like that is something I would call "shame" for real.

jfk777 · Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:21 am

What will United replace the 744 fleet with since the A350-1000 is delayed and may never see service at UA. 777-300ER are nice but with 366 passengers United really packs them in, I am going to Tokyo on a JAL 77W with 242 passengers.

767333ER · Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:29 am

Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

No, just shame on United. Delta parked their N661US open for people to see, United has no such thing. Delta has announced a retirement flight between LAX and DTW a rather affordable route as far as what 747s normally fly, AFAIK, UA hasn't announced such a thing yet.

mjoelnir · Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:43 am

Eyad89 wrote:
jbs2886 wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:

I know it's time, I just don't want to see the Queen of the Skies go. Unfortunately I have yet to fly on one but hopefully even if I can't catch a 744 I can hitch a ride on a Lufthansa/Korean Air 748.

So what do you expect UA and DL to do? Its one thing not to want them to go, but quite another to say "shame" on UA and DL and its "[a]bsolutely revolting."

At least 747 had the glory to be called queen of the skies for decades. It is not a shame at all, it has done its part. If Boeing only made 747 in all of its history, then that would be enough to make Boeing proud for ever. However, the case of A380 is different, I feel sad already knowing that it won't have that success. Seeing it go like that is something I would call "shame" for real.

Let us see, how did this go to be about the A380?

BOEING777EK · Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:48 pm

Im surprised seeing United retire its younger 744s rather then retiring the older ones first

KTPAFlyer · Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:43 pm

iahcsr wrote:
N127UA

That was the A/C I saw at LHR! (See pic above) Kind of bittersweet knowing that was the last time I'll ever see that 747. :frown:

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N12 ... /KSFO/EGLL

SFOtoORD · Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:48 pm

BOEING777EK wrote:
Im surprised seeing United retire its younger 744s rather then retiring the older ones first

If they're all going to be gone by the fall why does it matter?

glbltrvlr · Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:49 pm

BOEING777EK wrote:
Im surprised seeing United retire its younger 744s rather then retiring the older ones first

It's not so much the absolute age as where the aircraft is in the maintenance cycle and what condition the interior is in.

SuseJ772 · Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:24 pm

767333ER wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

No, just shame on United. Delta parked their N661US open for people to see, United has no such thing. Delta has announced a retirement flight between LAX and DTW a rather affordable route as far as what 747s normally fly, AFAIK, UA hasn't announced such a thing yet.

When is the LAXDTW flight? I haven't seen that mentioned.

Block40Osan · Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:41 pm

SuseJ772 wrote:
767333ER wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

No, just shame on United. Delta parked their N661US open for people to see, United has no such thing. Delta has announced a retirement flight between LAX and DTW a rather affordable route as far as what 747s normally fly, AFAIK, UA hasn't announced such a thing yet.
When is the LAXDTW flight? I haven't seen that mentioned.

September 5th. Flight schedule as follows:
DL1352 LAX2325 – 0640+1DTW 744

dcajet · Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:52 pm

blacksoviet wrote:
Surely the youngest 744 (built in 2000) will find a new owner.

Even later production 744s (2003) are being scrapped. The only future these UAL 744s have is as spares for the 747 freighter fleet out there. Converting them to freighters is too costly vis-a-vis their residual value. Worth more as spares and scrap.

BOEING777EK · Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:24 pm

glbltrvlr wrote:
BOEING777EK wrote:
Im surprised seeing United retire its younger 744s rather then retiring the older ones first

It's not so much the absolute age as where the aircraft is in the maintenance cycle and what condition the interior is in.

I thought united would retire the oldest 744s first before phasing out the younger ones as the younger ones are cheaper to operate maintenance is easier more cycles whereas the older ones have a more expensive maintenance cost.

Polot · Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:36 pm

BOEING777EK wrote:
glbltrvlr wrote:
BOEING777EK wrote:
Im surprised seeing United retire its younger 744s rather then retiring the older ones first

It's not so much the absolute age as where the aircraft is in the maintenance cycle and what condition the interior is in.
I thought united would retire the oldest 744s first before phasing out the younger ones as the younger ones are cheaper to operate maintenance is easier more cycles whereas the older ones have a more expensive maintenance cost.

The 747s are leaving when they have expensive maintenance checks coming up. UA doesn't care if plane A is newer than plane B, and if plane A's check is cheaper than plane B's. If plane A's check comes before plane B's then plane A is going first. UA is retiring all 747s this year. They will not perform required heavy maintenance on a newer plane and then turn around and retire it a few months later. The day to day costs to UA of operating a 747 is not significantly dependent on their ages (even the "newer" ones are still 17-20 years old, its not like they are <5 years old).

DfwRevolution · Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:52 pm

KTPAFlyer wrote:
This is kind of a side tangent, but I've always wanted to get a picture like the cover photo for up in the air, which was of a 744 in DTW. Since DL is also accelerating their 744 retirements, I probably won't be able to get to DTW before then. Anybody else know what other airports could offer a similar photo op?

You'll have the opportunity at FRA for years to come.

Super80Fan · Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:08 pm

767333ER wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

No, just shame on United. Delta parked their N661US open for people to see, United has no such thing. Delta has announced a retirement flight between LAX and DTW a rather affordable route as far as what 747s normally fly, AFAIK, UA hasn't announced such a thing yet.

Definitely correct with that remark. Haven't been to the Delta museum since the renovation so I'm overdue for a visit.

CALTECH · Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:39 pm

Old news, reported on United Fleet Upgrade Status -2017 Thread, months ago.

2Holer4Longhaul · Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:19 pm

I'm not sure what's up with the 744 fleet.
Yesterday's UA 59 (FRA-SFO) was cancelled, and today's flight got diverted to ORD. I don't know if it's weather or the 747s.

BOEING777EK · Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:56 pm

What will happen to the retired UA 744s which are stored at Victorville?

777PHX · Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:05 pm

BOEING777EK wrote:
What will happen to the retired UA 744s which are stored at Victorville?

They'll get sold or scrapped(probably scrapped).

UALFAson · Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:34 pm

767333ER wrote:
Super80Fan wrote:
Absolutely revolting. Shame on United and Delta.

No, just shame on United. Delta parked their N661US open for people to see, United has no such thing. Delta has announced a retirement flight between LAX and DTW a rather affordable route as far as what 747s normally fly, AFAIK, UA hasn't announced such a thing yet.

Slow your roll, Captain Outrage. Have you considered that maybe UA hasn't done the math yet and figured out the exact final date and final flight? Pre-merger, they did a huge to-do for the final 737 flights (I would know, I was on the very last flight SFO-LAX and have the certificate to prove it.) I am sure they will do something similar for a plane as grand as the 747. Untwist your panties and be patient.

KTPAFlyer wrote:
This is kind of a side tangent, but I've always wanted to get a picture like the cover photo for up in the air, which was of a 744 in DTW. Since DL is also accelerating their 744 retirements, I probably won't be able to get to DTW before then. Anybody else know what other airports could offer a similar photo op?

Terminal B at IAD (Washington Dulles) might get you something pretty close.

tigerotor77w · Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:58 pm

Have there been any updates since the January post on Routesonline regarding the retirement schedule? Or retirement festivities?

coolian2 · Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:16 pm

CALTECH wrote:
Old news, reported on United Fleet Upgrade Status -2017 Thread, months ago.

This was reported by this thread, months ago.

DocLightning · Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:43 pm

mcdu wrote:
Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes?

I wonder if someone couldn't make money selling DC-3 tourist flights. Then again, they couldn't make money flying Zepplins around the SF Bay Area, (probably because they were charging US$1-2k/pp) so perhaps not.

AA737-823 · Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:21 pm

2Holer4Longhaul wrote:
I'm not sure what's up with the 744 fleet.
Yesterday's UA 59 (FRA-SFO) was cancelled, and today's flight got diverted to ORD. I don't know if it's weather or the 747s.

A pretty significant A/C system failure while taxying for departure from FRA cause passengers to faint:
http://avherald.com/h?article=4abd937a&opt=0

blacksoviet · Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:36 pm

DocLightning wrote:
mcdu wrote:
Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes?

I wonder if someone couldn't make money selling DC-3 tourist flights. Then again, they couldn't make money flying Zepplins around the SF Bay Area, (probably because they were charging US$1-2k/pp) so perhaps not.

Does the DC-3 have enough range to fly from LAS to SFO?

2Holer4Longhaul · Thu Jul 20, 2017 12:00 am

blacksoviet wrote:
DocLightning wrote:
mcdu wrote:
Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes?

I wonder if someone couldn't make money selling DC-3 tourist flights. Then again, they couldn't make money flying Zepplins around the SF Bay Area, (probably because they were charging US$1-2k/pp) so perhaps not.

Does the DC-3 have enough range to fly from LAS to SFO?

DC-3 has about 1500mi in theoretical range. 2 stops on the way across the Continent, in theory.

DfwRevolution · Thu Jul 20, 2017 12:30 am

DocLightning wrote:
mcdu wrote:
Should the airlines still be flying DC-3 for nostalgia purposes?

I wonder if someone couldn't make money selling DC-3 tourist flights. Then again, they couldn't make money flying Zepplins around the SF Bay Area, (probably because they were charging US$1-2k/pp) so perhaps not.

There's a Silicon Valley plot line somewhere in there.

DocLightning · Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:08 am

blacksoviet wrote:
Does the DC-3 have enough range to fly from LAS to SFO?

I'd be shocked if it didn't. Can you imagine a really lavish all-F DC-3 service from SFO or SJC to LAS? I'd prefer OAK because it's 15 minutes from home.

Can you imagine?
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