I saw a KLM 747 Combi loading (or maybe unloading) several horse boxes this morning at LAX. I wonder if KLM has anything else that can do that?

AKLRNO - yup, PH-CKA, PH-CKB or PH-CKC would be options

And after 747s retire they’ll go by full cargo planes or in the belly cargo. Horses lose a bit of value after you disassemble their legs, but main deck pax revenue could make up for that

This morning at Amsterdam Airport, the #4 engine of PH-BFN was severaly damaged when the 747 was under tow and the engine hit a high loader.

Ouch !! Was something parked outside the box or was the tow off course?

readytotaxi wrote:

Ouch !! Was something parked outside the box or was the tow off course?

As far as I know; that loader shouldn't have been there. Then again; they should've seen it when towing the 747.

Here's a video of what happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbF7NgIGluo

PH-BFN is already back in action and has flown KL611 to Chicago today.
Currently she has just departed Chicago heading home to Amsterdam as KL612:
https://www.flightradar24.com/KLM48/1e45e34f

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

Do we know when the last flight is going to be? Really need to catch one before retirement.

The article says: 2021. So you have time to wave you blue passport to the Marechaussee at Schiphol.

Dutchy wrote:

The article says: 2021. So you have time to wave you blue passport to the Marechaussee at Schiphol.

Wow. Was there any need for that? Keep it to the relevant thread.

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

Nice idea, but the wrong registration, as PH-BFS is a combi aircraft.

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

factsonly wrote:

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

But are any of the remaining 747's due for a last D-check? 'Cause that's when they usually get a fresh coat of paint don't they?
BTW, isn't BFY a combi currently flying around in full pax configuration?

76er wrote:

factsonly wrote:

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

But are any of the remaining 747's due for a last D-check? 'Cause that's when they usually get a fresh coat of paint don't they?
BTW, isn't BFY a combi currently flying around in full pax configuration?

Yes, BFY is indeed a 747 Combi flying in full passenger configuration

BFB, BFG, BFL and BFN are the only factory passenger-only 747s remaining with KLM

How many of KLM's 747's are still in the old colors?

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.

Article: in Dutch

I've been dreaming about this for years, but honestly; I don't see it happening.

factsonly wrote:

Nice idea, but the wrong registration, as PH-BFS is a combi aircraft.

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

You and I both know -BFY is also a combi aircraft that just happened to be converted to a full pax version.
She still has a side cargo door so looks just the same as the other combi aircraft.
In that case KLM should bring her back to Everett, chop the rear end of the upper deck off, remove the winglets; find some JT9D's somewhere and hang those beneath her wings.

Mees decided on -BFS because the newer aircraft (including -BFY) already have the new livery and -BFS does not.

76er wrote:

But are any of the remaining 747's due for a last D-check? 'Cause that's when they usually get a fresh coat of paint don't they?

No, no 747's will get another D-check. Some maybe a C-check (-BFL is currently in CGK for a extensive C-check)
And yes; the 747's with the Dolphin livery got this new livery during D-check.

BTW, isn't BFY a combi currently flying around in full pax configuration?

Correct.

xjetflyer2001 wrote:

How many of KLM's 747's are still in the old colors?

PH-BFT, -BFV, -BFW, -BFN have the new Dolphin livery (painted in that order)

How’s PH-BFI (I think that’s the reg), City of Jakarta, doing? Will it be retired soon or will it receive the new paint scheme and be around for awhile? I flew on it last month AMS-ORD so just curious.

af773atmsp wrote:

How’s PH-BFI (I think that’s the reg), City of Jakarta, doing? Will it be retired soon or will it receive the new paint scheme and be around for awhile? I flew on it last month AMS-ORD so just curious.

Still going strong. Scheduled to fly flight KL855 to Seoul this evening. (She arrived from Seoul as well this morning)
Scheduled to retire in May 2020 and will not get the new livery.

Well, if there are no more combi’s or full pax 747’s headed for a D-check/paintjob I don’t see this happening. Unless... There happen to be two more -400s on the Dutch register that are still due for one. It’s only that the passenger windows are missing and they happen to have a short upper deck.
As a matter of fact, one of them is due for heavy maintenance this december. Just sayin’.

Iemand91 wrote:

Some maybe a C-check (-BFL is currently in CGK for a extensive C-check)
And yes; the 747's with the Dolphin livery got this new livery during D-check.

-BFU is also heading for CGK at this moment for maintenance: https://www.flightradar24.com/KLM9875/1e7a205a

I found this on AviationTag's website, for anyone interested. Luggage tags made out of PH-BFR.

https://www.aviationtag.com/en/produkt/phbfr01/

I have a few of their tags made from a Lufthansa 747 and I love them.

Iemand91 wrote:

PH-BFT, -BFV, -BFW, -BFN have the new Dolphin livery (painted in that order)

The PH-BFY flies in new livery, too.

ramsesp wrote:

Iemand91 wrote:

PH-BFT, -BFV, -BFW, -BFN have the new Dolphin livery (painted in that order)

The PH-BFY flies in new livery, too.

You're absolutely right. I forgot that one.

Will BFB be gone before December 1, 2018?

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.

Guys in this case we are talking about a retrojet so KLM can paint any airplane they have with this retro livery. Just like any other special livery, retro liveries aren't linked to D checks or any other checks.

A388

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

This would be some great looking plane. And given the soon-to-follow (alas!) decommission of the bird I would cordially hope corrosion is no more of issue and KLM go for a buffed belly, as good as it gets after all those layers of paint & strip. Doe het, KLM!

aristoenigma wrote:

Will BFB be gone before December 1, 2018?

I believe the last (commercial) flight for -BFB is scheduled for November 26.

Iemand91 wrote:

aristoenigma wrote:

Will BFB be gone before December 1, 2018?

I believe the last (commercial) flight for -BFB is scheduled for November 26.

Will BFB also be headed to EHTW?

ORDSpotter7 wrote:

Hopefully ORD will start to see the 77W

Maybe but the 787 is the most likely candidate. The 77W is a lot aircraft to replace the 747M.

Themack wrote:

Iemand91 wrote:

aristoenigma wrote:

Will BFB be gone before December 1, 2018?

I believe the last (commercial) flight for -BFB is scheduled for November 26.

Will BFB also be headed to EHTW?

No; she will be preserved near Amsterdam Airport. See my post here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=597241&start=400#p20775573

Iemand91 wrote:

Themack wrote:

Iemand91 wrote:

I believe the last (commercial) flight for -BFB is scheduled for November 26.

Will BFB also be headed to EHTW?

No; she will be preserved near Amsterdam Airport. See my post here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=597241&start=400#p20775573

Wouldn't realy call that preserved. Corendon paint job looks hideous. Don't know what I rather have. Scrapper or that?

Iemand91 wrote:

I believe the last (commercial) flight for -BFB is scheduled for November 26.

Please post a final hours/cycles total if you have access to it!

Guys, I'm not sure if I've asked this here but so far I've read that KLM will replace their 747-400 full pax aircraft with the A350-900. When looking at their CUR route, I always said they would go for the 77W seeing the capacity being almost the same. If KLM does decide to use their A350-900's to CUR that means a big reduction in capacity or an increase by flying to CUR twice daily with the A350-900. How likely or probable is it that KLM will use the A350-900 to CUR instead of the 77W? Or will we still see the 77W as replacement to CUR?

A388

factsonly wrote:

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

Nice idea, but the wrong registration, as PH-BFS is a combi aircraft.

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

You can see a line where the main deck cargo door would be

factsonly wrote:

Dutchy wrote:

A nice farewell proposal, KLM is said to consider it for the 100th anniversary celebrations next year.



Article: in Dutch

Nice idea, but the wrong registration, as PH-BFS is a combi aircraft.

KLM should select PH-BFY for this special paint scheme for two reasons:

- Currently PH-BFY is to be the very last KLM B747 to leave the fleet in June 2021.
- PH-BFY is a full pax aircraft and all early B747-206 that actually carried this 1971 KLM livery were full passenger aircraft.

You can see a line where the main deck cargo door would be

Sorry about double post

A388 wrote:

Guys, I'm not sure if I've asked this here but so far I've read that KLM will replace their 747-400 full pax aircraft with the A350-900. When looking at their CUR route, I always said they would go for the 77W seeing the capacity being almost the same. If KLM does decide to use their A350-900's to CUR that means a big reduction in capacity or an increase by flying to CUR twice daily with the A350-900. How likely or probable is it that KLM will use the A350-900 to CUR instead of the 77W? Or will we still see the 77W as replacement to CUR?

A388

Can 77W take off from CUR to AMS or does it need to fly the triangle route as well? I think it would be highly unlikely that CUR goes double daily.

Dutchy wrote:

A388 wrote:

Guys, I'm not sure if I've asked this here but so far I've read that KLM will replace their 747-400 full pax aircraft with the A350-900. When looking at their CUR route, I always said they would go for the 77W seeing the capacity being almost the same. If KLM does decide to use their A350-900's to CUR that means a big reduction in capacity or an increase by flying to CUR twice daily with the A350-900. How likely or probable is it that KLM will use the A350-900 to CUR instead of the 77W? Or will we still see the 77W as replacement to CUR?

A388

Can 77W take off from CUR to AMS or does it need to fly the triangle route as well? I think it would be highly unlikely that CUR goes double daily.

Yes, the 77W should have no problem taking from CUR at full payload. I also think it is highly unlikely that KL will go double daily but I was just wondering what the possibilty is.


A388

Just did a round trip to CUR this month with -BFB on both legs. It was a wonderful ride even though the bird did look a little tired here and there. Sorry to hear she will be gone this month.

When will they be pulled off the JFK route? I don’t particularly want to go to CUR, so JFK is my only shot of getting a KLM 747 next year.

Arion640 wrote:

When will they be pulled off the JFK route? I don’t particularly want to go to CUR, so JFK is my only shot of getting a KLM 747 next year.

Still showing KL643 as operating until at least Oct 2019 - but not every day with 744.

According to an intern that wrote a blog for KLM, PH-BFB has logged 134.729 flight hours in 18.024 cycles. KLM also confirmed through facebook that she will be preserved at the Corenden Hotel next to Schiphol in February 2019.

KL0643 will be operating until w2020, atleast 3/7 flights. tue/wed/sat
especially for horses/flowers

The world's oldest active 747-400 PH-BFB is at Toronto at the moment, about the head back to Amsterdam. She will arrive at AMS at 07:25.
FR24 link: https://www.flightradar24.com/KLM86/1ea92afa

Then at 09:55 she will go out on her last rotation; KL601 to Los Angeles where she'll arrive at 11:24.
She will return to Amsterdam at 14:15 as KL602 and land at Amsterdam Monday morning at 09:05.
KL602 will be PH-BFB's last commercial flight.

"City of Bangkok' 2 weeks ago at AMS:

https://www.airliners.net/photo/KLM-Roya ... Ad/XPcA%3D

Wondering whose nacelle panel KLM borrowed. I'm having a hard time thinking of a 744 operator that has engines painted yellow.

seabosdca wrote:

Wondering whose nacelle panel KLM borrowed. I'm having a hard time thinking of a 744 operator that has engines painted yellow.

Isn't the engine type used on other aircraft types, too? If that is the case, my guess is a DHL part.

Isn't that just the colour of the base coat (primer)? I.e a general pool part, not having its top coat done until installed?

PH-BFB's last visit to Toronto yesterday:




https://twitter.com/TomPodolec/status/1 ... 8729353217