Later this morning I will be one of the passengers onboard United Airlines’ final 747 flight. What is it about that aircraft that stirs so many emotions?
First, it is the aircraft that took me around the world. To Asia. Australia. Africa. Europe. My 747 memories are inextricably intertwined with the places she took me. San Francisco to Seoul, then to the DMZ. Los Angeles to Sydney and then to Circular Quay. Hong Kong to London and to the Tower of London. San Francisco to London, my first international flight in business class. Frankfurt to Johannesburg, followed by a trip to SoWeTo. Air Force One…
The 747 has literally taken me around the world and there is therefore no other aircraft that I have such an emotional attachment too.
But no flight was more joyous than my first 747-400 trip to Chicago in September of 2004. I’ve written about that before, but I took that trip with my then 77-year old Uncle and received the first upgrade of my life…to the upper deck of a 747! Oh what an amazing four hours that was.
Now my Uncle, celebrating his 90th birthday later in the month, will join me again for United’s final 747 flight today. I could not think of a better travel companion for this particular flight.
Why the 747?
The 747 is not just iconic in its humped shape, but for its symbol of speed and quality. With the Concorde retired, did you know that the 747-400 actually maintains the fastest cruising speed of any major jetliner in commercial service today? Yes, trips to Europe and Asia will actually take a tad longer in the new 777 and 787 era.
Even with the days of baby grand pianos and opulent couches in the upstairs lounge long gone, the 747 remained roomy and flying upstairs was always fun. I’m so happy my one-year-old son was able to fly home twice this year from Germany on a United 747-400 upstairs in business class. He may not remember the flight beyond our pictures, but he can tell his friends one day he flew on the 747. It’s like me saying I flew on the 707 (which I can’t say…).
And I’d be remiss if I did not emphasize that today’s flight is doubly special because it is on United Airlines, the airline that has taken me to Australia three times, Asia eight times, and Europe over two dozens times aboard a 747.
I regularly fly between San Francisco and Frankfurt, meaning I’ve seen a lot of 747-400s over the years. My last United 747 intercontinental flight was last month from Frankfurt to San Francisco. It seemed also surreal to think that next time I take this flight it will be on an aircraft with only one level.
CONCLUSION
For such a storied aircraft, the true story is the thousands of human stories people share with another that are built around or made possible by the 747.
By creating the first viable jumbo jet, Boeing ushered in a new era of travel possibilities. The 747 has connected friends and families, delivered troops to war, rescued victims of war, and been an icon of the age of innovation that has made airfare more comfortable and more affordable. And it has connected people without connections, opening up more destinations to nonstop flights.
I’m thankful for the 747 and the history that can never be taken away from her.
Thanks, Matthew, for the great memories. I have my own from Braniff’s “747 Braniff Place”. Those truly were tge days ….
My first flight was also on a 747, when I was 9. (I don’t count my “technical” first flight when I was 18 months old, since I remember nothing about it.) My dad and I flew to SFO on a Northwest Orient 747 to pick up my sister from college so he could help drive her home. Yes, NW really used to occasionally fly 747s from DFW to SFO; I presume they went on to NRT from there. I thought that plane was so freaking cool, especially with the upper deck. NW and the 747 were always kind of special to me after that.
I heard you quick sound bite on NPR this morning! Was not expecting the 747 final flight to make the news like that, but a neat recognition.
Air Force One? Write a trip report about that one.
I have great memories of flying Lufthansa’s 747s between YYZ and FRA as a kid with my family even if we were flying back in Y. No aircraft can replace the feel and experience that the 747 provides, not even the A380 in my opinion. Luckily LH still flies the 747 on the YYZ-FRA route and flying that route today always brings back happy childhood memories. The flights I most look forward to are those operated by the 747, so its sad to see them slowly disappear from the skies.
You’re fortunate you can still fly on the 747 from your hometown to Frankfurt (as am I, during the summer). I love that aircraft!
Congrats on the NPR appearance.
Rick you would enjoy the TWA Museum in Kansas City.
Thanks Grant. I’m sure I would enjoy the TWA Museum as well!
Nice post, Matthew – sorry I didn’t get the chance to meet you on the flight.
First flight on a jumbo was on a Pan Am jet from BOM to FRA. Its even more memorable as we had an aborted take off as the number 4 engine blew up prior to take off.
First flight on the upper deck was in 2006 BOM – LON on an AI jet. Got even luckier as a friends cousin was the captain, and allowed me to sit in FC in the nose for landing only.
The Jumbo, to me, has character and class. She always looks eager to take off, even when she is at the gate getting replenished. The comfort, speed, and exclusivity of the cabins in the nose & the upper deck will always remain unique.
Some say the A380 is a technological marvel. Sadly, it looks like an A320 which had a vacuum cleaner hose stuck up its bum.
PS : Have always thought that Boeing airplanes are nicer looking than Airbus. But then the A350 came out, and I fell in love with the racoon mask. The Jumbo, though, will always remain Numero Uno