United 747 Farewell

Saying Goodbye to the Queen of the Skies

On November 7, 2017, United Airlines flew its last passenger 747 flight after 47 years of service.  As an aviation enthusiast in San Francisco (SFO), it was a sad day.  The iconic Jumbo had been a staple at SFO ever since I started plane spotting there.


I saw her evolve from the ugly gray Battleship scheme:

To my favorite, Rising Blue scheme:

Finally ending her service on the uninspiring UniCon Globe scheme:

Every morning, the entire fleet it seemed, would arrive from Asia.  By midday, they'd make their turn and return to the Far East.  A few stragglers would remain in the afternoon to Europe.   Those on maintenance or spares lined up at the Super Bay.  Every spotting session at SFO would be the same: United 747s everywhere.

By 2017, despite the fact the Queen was near retirement, you'd never know it at SFO.  In her last summer of service, scenes like this were still typical:

But I knew the end was near.  I wanted to say goodbye.  Fortunately, United went all out and made it special for everyone - from employees to enthusiasts alike.  It was great to have an airline in your hometown to acknowledge its heritage and embrace the fanbase.

747 Friend Ship

United Commemorates the 747’s Retirement with Retro 1970s Titles

The Queen flew in the Fleet Week Airshow in early October and on that same weekend, kicked off her month-long retirement celebration at United Family Day.

Sure, 1970s retro "747 Friend Ship" titles was an inelegant patch job, but it was the thought that counts!

#UA747Farewell

Farewell Friend Ship 747: Final Curtain Call For United’s 747-400
(I co-authored this article)

Let's start with the end.  I flew on United's final 747 passenger flight on November 7th.  Flight UA 747 was a retro flight - a throwback to 1970 - when United first flew the 747 from SFO to Honolulu (HNL).  Between flight attendants dressed up in 1970s uniforms to the low fly-by over the Golden Gate Bridge, it was one of the most memorable flights in my life!

Video Trip Report (View on Youtube)

Flightradar24's podcast about this flight.  Fast forward to 12:26 and listen for the shoutout by my co-author.  :)

747s Around the World

Total flying time:  29 hours 35 minutes

Total distance:  14,495 NMiles (26,844 km)

Average aircraft age:  19.2 years 

One week before United retired the 747 from regular service, I made a trip around the world, flying only on the 747, of course!  It was a simple three-flight itinerary:  SFO to Frankfurt (FRA) on United, FRA to Seoul (ICN) on Lufthansa, and ICN back to SFO on United.  That last flight back home was United's last international 747 flight.  It was also United's last 747 landing at SFO with passengers on board.

Segment 1 Trip Report:  SFO-FRA

Segment 2 Trip Report:  FRA-ICN

Segment 3 Trip Report:  ICN-SFO
United's last international 747 flight.
United's last 747 landing at SFO with passengers.

It is an end of an era.  After almost 50 years, there is no longer any United 747s at its Pacific Hub in San Francisco.  However, whenever I look across to the Super Bay, I will always think of this scene:

747s Everywhere!

Farewell, my Queen!