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Home » United Airlines » United Announces Final 747 Flight
NewsUnited Airlines

United Announces Final 747 Flight

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 21, 2017November 14, 2023 19 Comments

Final United 747 Flight

UDPATE: Final United Boeing 747 Flight Will be SFO-HNL on November 07, 2017


Scott Kirby promised a proper send off for the Queen of the Skies and with United’s schedule update, it appears that will be on October 29, 2017.

Retirement Dates (by Route) for United 747-400

Per Routes Online,  777-200s will replace 747-400s on the following dates (with the exception of SFO-LHR, which will become  a 787-9 route)”

effective 05OCT17
San Francisco – Shanghai Pu Dong

effective 28OCT17
San Francisco – Beijing
San Francisco – Frankfurt
San Francisco – London
San Francisco – Taipei Taoyuan
San Francisco – Tokyo Narita

effective 29OCT17
San Francisco – Seoul Incheon

Note that for each of the above flights, the 747-400 will return to San Francisco the following day.

Thus, according to this schedule update, the final 747-400 flight from the USA will be from San Francisco to Seoul on October 28, 2017:

Oct 28, 2017
San Francisco, CA, US (SFO) to Seoul, KR (ICN – Incheon)
10:25 am – 3:15 pm (12h 50m)
UA 893 | Boeing 747-400
Operated by United Airlines

And United’s final 747-400 flight will be from Seoul returning to San Francisco on October 29, 2017:

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
Operated by United Airlines

Why the 777-200 and not the 777-300ER?

Good question. United has 777-200s instead of its incoming 777-300ERs scheduled on the former 747-400 routes. Where will those aircraft come from and why not the new 773s? My thought, since we have heard rumors we will see more 777-300ERs out of San Francisco, is that the 777-200s are currently a placeholder. United is still deciding how to allocate its new planes and placing 777-200s (old business class, less capacity) will better manage expectations than putting in a new 777-300ER then taking it away alter on.

CONCLUSION

It will be an end of an era and sad day when United parks its last 747-400. Although we do not have an official announcement from United yet, its schedule has been updated and the last 747-400 flight will be on 10/29/17. Will you be on it?
photo from Wikimedia commons

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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19 Comments

  1. sil Reply
    January 21, 2017 at 9:58 am

    I have an awards ticket for August 15, 2017 for LHR to SFO on United 900. Will this still be the United 747 according to the change?

    • Matthew Reply
      January 21, 2017 at 10:03 am

      That will remain a 747-400. SFO-LHR goes to a 777 on 28 October 2017.

      • sil Reply
        January 21, 2017 at 10:07 am

        Thanks for the prompt response Matthew.
        Cool. I will be able to go first class on United 747 , my first time.

  2. Andy K Reply
    January 21, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Will you be on this flight to do a trip report? I wonder if United will have any special events.

    • Matthew Reply
      January 21, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      I plan on it. There should be some special recognition of the flight.

      • Hugh B Reply
        January 21, 2017 at 4:05 pm

        1A first class I assume?

        • Jason Barnes Reply
          January 22, 2017 at 12:07 pm

          Looks like 1st is full.

  3. Bill Reply
    January 21, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I’ll fly, you buy! 🙂

  4. MeanMeosh Reply
    January 21, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    I might try to do this. October 29th is our wedding anniversary. A weekend in Seoul wouldn’t be a bad way to spend it.

  5. Duke787 Reply
    January 21, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    Might have to do this as well as a birthday present to myself. How likely is it to stick?

    • Matthew Reply
      January 21, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Personally, I am waiting. It may stick, but I’m not sure.

      • Duke787 Reply
        January 22, 2017 at 7:05 pm

        Ahh okay decisions decisions. There’s an attractive oneway ICN – RDU fare but I’d hate to pull the trigger and have the date / location change.

  6. Robert Reply
    January 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

    I’d book it now if you’re trying to get a window in the upper deck. You can always pay a change fee. Yeah, it’ll cost a few extra hundred dollars, but once again, it’s the final flight of the most influential aircraft on commercial aviation for United. You have to evaluate that risk though. Otherwise, I’d wait. As economy won’t fill up until they officially announce it. I’m booked on seat 13A upper deck business!

  7. David Reply
    January 23, 2017 at 3:26 am

    Why on earth anyone would want to fly United and be subject to harassment by tacky United Flight Crews?
    Didn’t you learn your lesson when you got kicked out of UA for allegedly taking pictures of the seats?
    United has the trailer trashiest waiters and the waitresses in the skies.
    United should be reported to the health department because on the 747’s still use the carts for meals that is operated by an Electric outlet and most these pads do not work, therefore the Flight Attendants either cook heat them up for higher number of time, so they will get heated. This results on the plastic covers to melt on top of the meals and that is why your eggs turn gray/green and it is totally disgusting. Plus, because United has set of 6 beds and 2 chairs in their bunk for their crew, the Flight Attendants split into two, so they can have longer breaks and instead of group of 3, for better cabin coverage and customer service, you end up with 6 or 7 Flight Attendants for the entire 747 while the other ones have taken their ambien, (football sleeping pills that United Crew’s call them) they buy them illegally in Sydney and they are form of Temezapam) while they go to sleep for 5 or 6 hours. Then you end up with one hour before landing for the nasty trashy Breakfast service. Also, Flight Attendants fill out those pitchers with potable water from the aircraft which is disgusting and contains, a host of bacteria and insects that cause violent illness.
    So, why would you want to fly United?
    Plus, the 747 seat cushions have not been replaced in ages and United has the most antiquated entertainment and seats, disgusting food and disgusting waiters and rude waitresses who read the trashy magazines in the galley and gossip the entire time!

    • Dan Reply
      September 8, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      I think you are way overstating you case, but are directionally correct.

      The client experience on the 747-400 is subpar compared to the 777 for the reasons you mentioned: the seats are older and the entertainment system is terrible, or entertainment is it bring your own device and the movies United has in their library are not that great (nor is the selection that wide). And worse of all, they have that big wide screen in the middle of the plane which they keep on all flight long and you cant get to sleep. I fly these a lot and it’s worse in economy plus because you are closer to the screen and even if you close your eyes you can see the flashing lights.

      Oh and I have run into engine maintenance issues and ended up in Beijing 3 hour laters than I should have arrived.

      So honestly, it is time for these planes to go. They are beautiful, smooth fliers, but they just haven’t been invested in by United and so it has led to a subpar experience. They are cool, but having flown then a bit I try to avoid them and pick out flights with newer equipment whenever possible.

  8. Christine Reply
    January 24, 2017 at 9:29 am

    Matthew, can you book an award ticket for me on this flight? I’m coming to US for Chicago Seminars so this might work for return.

  9. Jim Wirshborn Reply
    September 14, 2017 at 1:51 am

    any one know what the tail number of the last UAL B747-400 flight? Making a 200 scale model of this aircraft. Will there be any special paint on the aircraft? Pictures? Source of the last flight number?

  10. Pingback: Top 10 in Travel News: Week of January 25, 2017 – My small blog
  11. Pingback: Top 10 in Travel News: Week of January 25, 2017 – Wander Society

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