United is retiring its 747-400 fleet this autumn. While I’m hearing rumors of a farewell domestic tour, nothing has been confirmed yet and the final flight is still scheduled from Seoul to San Francisco on October 29, 2017. But the 747 is making a rare domestic appearance this Friday from Chicago to San Francisco. It’s not too late to secure a seat on the Queen of the Skies.
Tomorrow, United Flight 2704 will depart Chicago (ORD) at 6:30 p.m. CT and arrive into SFO at 8:51 p.m. PT. The cost of this flight varies based upon final destination, but is $264 if just purchasing the non-stop:
Business and first class are sold out, but most of the economy class cabin is empty.
Notice the flight number, four digits and starting with two. This is a special flight. In fact, the flight was originally scheduled as a “ferry flight” without passengers simply to move the aircraft to SFO. Thankfully, someone at United saw this as a great opportunity and made it a revenue flight.
As of now, the final flight scheduled flight remains–
Oct 29, 2017
Seoul, KR (ICN – Incheon) to San Francisco, CA, US (SFO)
5:05 pm – 11:35 am (10h 30m)
UA 892 | Boeing 747-400
Still, the retirement of this aircraft is a big deal and I have to imagine that United will be looking into something a bit more special than Seoul to San Francisco to retire its once-flagship aircraft.
Have fun those who booked! I’m sure it’ll be all flight-geeks and readers of travel blogs….so they’ll have a great time.
I flew r/t last year SFO-ORD in May. 16A outbound and 1A on the return. Amazingly my seat-mate in 16B was the father of the pilot! He was flying with his son at the controls for the first time in his life. Of course all the FA’s came by for special hellos, along with the entire flight deck. And talk about great service! Upon landing in Chicago the father was given a tour of the cockpit….and guess who was invited along? An unforgettable experience to be sure!
Then sitting in 1A on the return…..there is nothing like that. I love being in the tip of the nose, “ahead” of the pilot…..and the seat is pretty great too.
Have fun anyone flying tomorrow.
To say goodbye to her, I booked myself Oct 23 SFO-ICN in seat 1k, just before UA retires the old bird. Will be a bittersweet farewell. Can’t wait though!
I wonder if C/F is really sold out or just blocked so UA can provide key customers upgrades.
@DCDan …
You’ll have a great flight. I flew in that seat SFO-ICN just about 4 years ago. While there was no caviar or closed seat compartments, it was still memorable.
Knowing IS, they’ve probably got the same menu. Lol.
Order the Cioppino if it’s still on the menu. 😉
UA…..not IS.
Damn autocorrect.