When I saw the news yesterday that United Airlines would retire its 747 with a special Hawaiian-themed celebration to recreate its first flight, I resolved to be part of the flight…no matter the cost.
I braced myself for the cost. Would I have to sell my first born son in order to afford a seat on this flight? At around 12:07pm PT, the flight was loaded. Economy Class was $550, First Class was $1978, and business class was blocked…presumably for media and special guests.
Within seconds I had booked two economy class seats…one for myself and the other for my uncle, the uncle who flew with me on my first 747 flight (LAX-ORD on UA / September 2004) and my first time in business class (the ORD-LAX flight home). He designed aircraft, including the L-1011, at Lockheed and loves planes almost as much as I do.
> Read More: A Love Affair with United Airlines
I’m glad I booked swiftly because the flight sold out within an hour.
Delta recently hosted its last 747 domestic flight and now United will follow. It’s a sad final chapter for the Queen of the Skies in the United States. At least we will still have Lufthansa to take us to Frankfurt aboard the 747-8…
Missed the Final Flight?
If you want to take part in the final flight but found that seats were sold out, I recommend you monitor space closely around 12pm PT / 3pm ET today. Many people (wisely) booked without even thinking about it, knowing they had 24 hours to cancel. I am certain many seats will be cancelled today.
The complicating factor is that dozens of passengers are now waitlisted for the flight, so when someone cancels a seat it does not necessarily mean that the new seat will open into general inventory for the public to book. The waitlist must first clear.
Second, United has said that the 747 will make one final tour of domestic hubs in October. We don’t have any details on that yet, but I will provide updates as they become available.
CONCLUSION
Flying my favorite airline (it’s a complicated relationship) on my favorite aircraft is going to be so much fun. I’m happy that my uncle will be joining me on the flight as well and hope to meet many readers as well.
If you missed out on the flight, don’t give up yet. My gut tells me you’ll get on if you are persistent.
image courtesy of United Airlines
I have one request for you, Matthew. Please be sure to review this flight. I won’t be able to go, because I’ll be in school, but will want to hear all about it. Thank you Matthew, and enjoy it, you’ve earned it for being so loyal to United.
I will fully review it. Wish you could be part of it Alan!
Major bummer this is going to happen on a weekday to Hawai’i. Not that Hawai’i isn’t fabulous, but because no way I can make the scheduling work. I second Alan’s request; really looking forward to living vicariously through your report.
Matthew, I cannot believe that I missed this announcement seeing that I’m on United site seemingly every night looking for flights. I would have been all over this big time so I’m a bit devastated as this would have been a once in a lifetime… especially with the throwback celebration. So you think that there is a chance that there will be more domestic flights announced? I really hope so since I’ve been dedicated United since day 1. thanks for keeping us updated. Have a glass of champaign for me on that big boy….
I’m sure UAL will offer more “final” flights – after all, United is all about the money – and this one sold out in 2 hours.
I hope not.
I happened upon your article about United’s last 747 flight to Hawaii. I didn’t realize that was happening so soon. I’m sure it will be quite an event. I actually have their main marketing piece used for their first 747 flight back in 1970. It’s a cute little two-foot silver-haired Hawaiian man waving. I’d upload a picture, but I don’t think this comment box will allow it.
What is the flight number? And is there a return flight? Certainly United is not going to leave the plane in Hawaii, or will it deadhead back to a boneyard in the states?
Yes, it looks like it will just stay in Hawaii and maybe be put in a museum over their. It doesn’t look like it is making a return flight with no one on board
Tell Captain Smith his sister Sue says hello and happiest of blue skies today! Wish I could be there with all of you. Enjoy the day!