How Many Boeing 747 Classic Remains In Passenger Service In The World?

The prototype of the Boeing 747-100

The Boeing 747 entered service in the evening of January 21, 1970, N733PA (named Clipper Young America) became the first Boeing 747 to enter service with Pan American World Airways. It operated its very first passenger flight from New York to London. Unfortunately, it suffered engine overheating before the departure, so Pan American World Airways delayed the first ever passenger flight of the Boeing 747 for six hours. On January 22, 1970, in the next morning N736PA (named Clipper Victor) flew the first ever Boeing 747's passenger flight from New York to London. It was the beginning of the era of the Boeing 747 in the world. Unfortunately, N736PA or Clipper Victor collided with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' Boeing 747-200B at Los Rodeos Airport, killing 583 people on both aircraft. Until now, the collision at Los Rodeos Airport, Tenerife is called as 'Tenerife Airport Disaster' and remains as the deadliest aviation accident in the world. From the 1970s until 2000s, the Boeing 747 Classic is a major sighting at many major airports in the world.

EP-IAC, the last Boeing 747 Classic to operate passenger service

But now, many Boeing 747 Classic had been retired by many airlines in the world. Today, many aviation enthusiasts still trying to fly on the Boeing 747 Classic series. The question is, how many Boeing 747 Classic remains in passenger service in the world? Now, only one airline in the world that still operating the Boeing 747 Classic as passenger aircraft, the airline is Iran Air. Iran Air is the last airline in the world to operate the Boeing 747-100B, Boeing 747-200B(M), and the Boeing 747SP-86 in the world. The last Boeing 747-100B had been retired in 2014, while the Boeing 747-200B had been retired in 2016, leaving the Boeing 747SP-86 in service. Initially, Iran Air has up to three Boeing 747SP-86 in its fleet, but currently, Iran Air has sold its two Boeing 747SP-86, leaving EP-IAC (named Persian Gulf) in passenger service. It means, there's only ONE Boeing 747 Classic remains in passenger service in the world. But how long EP-IAC will operate passenger service in Iran Air? The answer is, EP-IAC, the last Boeing 747 Classic in the world will still operating passenger service for TWO DAYS AGAIN as Iran Air will operate the last ever flight of its Boeing 747SP-86 on June 11, 2016, if the airline doesn't delay the retirement flight. It means people will no longer fly on Boeing 747 Classic in the world. After 46 years in service, maybe the Boeing 747 Classic will leave passenger service forever. Goodbye Boeing 747 Classic, thank you for fond memories in the good old days!

Thai Airways' Former Airbus A340s: Still No Buyer?

HS-TLA, the former Airbus A340-500 of Thai Airways, took off from Milan-Malpensa International Airport

Thai Airways, the national airline of Thailand was one of the costumers of Airbus A340 series at the time. It received the first Airbus A340-500 and Airbus A340-600 in 2005. It had six Airbus A340-600 and four Airbus A340-500 before the airline retired both types in 2015 because both types no longer efficient since the Airbus A340-500 and Airbus A340-600 have two engines. Two engines mean more expensive maintenance cost and more fuel needed than the two-engined Airbus A330-300. Thai Airways also faced a financial problem at the time, so the airline needs to cut operational cost and sell some aircraft, including Airbus A340. After being retired, the Airbus A340s was sold by Thai Airways. But, the airline still had no buyer for its Airbus A340s until now.

Now, Thai Airways has 17 Airbus A330-300 as the replacement of Airbus A340s. The Airbus A330-300 has the same capacity as the Airbus A340s. But, it has two engines instead four engines. So, many airlines (including Thai Airways) decided to replace its Airbus A340s with more efficient aircraft but with same capacity with Airbus A340 like Airbus A330 and Airbus A350 XWB. For many years, the high fuel price becomes a big problem for many airlines, as it reduces airlines' profits. So, many airlines need fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce outlay. Efficient aircraft also helps to reduce air pollution in the atmosphere.