When and why did United Airlines phase out the Boeing 747?

Summary

• United had an extensive fleet of Boeing 747s and operated 88 aircraft at various times.
• Due to parts availability, United had difficulty maintaining the aircraft.
• US airlines followed United’s example and retired the Boeing 747 due to its fuel efficiency and modern aircraft options.

After 47 years of flying the Boeing 747, United Airlines has retired this aircraft type from its fleet. By retiring the Boeing 747, United was several years ahead of other US airlines, as other airlines in this country with the highest number of airports eventually stopped operating the Boeing 747. But why exactly did United Airlines retire the “Queen of the Skies”? Let’s find out.

Before its retirement, United had a significant fleet of Boeing 747s

According to Planespotters.net, United has operated a total of 88 Boeing 747s throughout its history. The Chicago-based airline operated four variants of the Boeing 747, including the following types:

One of the Boeings that United previously operated even served NASA. In September 1996, the plane transported a “17-ton, eight-foot-wide infrared telescope mounted behind a massive sliding door” for NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). This aircraft is nicknamed the Clipper Lindbergh and still serves the world’s largest space research institute as N747NA.

The Boeing 747 was already outdated when United retired it.

Oscar Munoz, who was CEO of United Airlines in 2017, spoke to Business Insider and revealed that the airline found maintaining the planes a bit too difficult:

“We had downsized our 747 fleet. They were already on their way to becoming obsolete. They were great airplanes for us for a long time, but we have problems with maintenance – especially with the spare parts. If I need a part today, I can’t get it. We’ve stripped every airplane in the world of its individual parts to meet the demand, and nobody is making new parts for that particular airplane because there just aren’t that many of them anymore.”

United also had plans to expand its route. The new routes were to be operated with aircraft that would be capable of operating in the next generation. In addition, newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft were coming onto the market, and other airlines soon realized that the “Queen of the Skies” would be replaced by other aircraft models.

And all US airlines followed United’s example

Since the Boeing 747 first flew in 1969, many more fuel-efficient aircraft have come onto the market. Fuel accounts for 22% of an airline’s operating costs.

In his article for Simple Flying about the reasons why airlines in the US decided to retire their 747s, Chris Loh reported that the introduction of aircraft like the Boeing 777 (with variants like the Boeing 777-200LR) had reduced airlines’ fuel costs:

“…the 777-300ER (Extended Range) can carry about the same number of passengers as the 747-400 while burning 100,000 pounds less fuel. So if 100,000 pounds of fuel is equal to 15,000 gallons and the current price (according to IndexMundi) is $1.87 per gallon, that’s a fuel saving of about $28,000. Combine that with the frequency of flight of these long-range jets and the reduced maintenance, and that’s a pretty strong argument for a newer airplane.”

Aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus models such as the A330 and A350 provide a more efficient long-haul service. In addition, the development of aircraft technology has made narrow-body aircraft well suited for medium to long distances as well.

The last flight of the United Airlines 747 was an experience

The first flight that United operated with its 747 took place on July 23, 1970. The flight was named “Friend Ship,” and the final farewell flight of UA’s Boeing 747 was also given the same name.

Highlights of this final flight, also from San Francisco to Honolulu, included:

• Tickets for the 374-seat flight sold out within hours.
• After landing in Honolulu, the then Governor of Hawaii, David Ige, personally greeted the passengers.
• In the 1970s, flight attendants wore United Airlines uniforms because the airline first introduced the 747 in 1970.

After the last flight, the plane returned empty to San Francisco and eventually landed in an airline “graveyard.”

But where are United’s retired Boeing 747s now?

The first Boeing 747 model that United received was the Boeing 747-100. All of United’s Boeings of this type were retired.

Some of the Boeing 747-200s operated by United have been converted to cargo aircraft, one of which is in service with Aerostan, a cargo airline based in Kyrgyzstan. It was reported that “three former United 747-200s had been in storage since 2009-2011 and the remaining six aircraft were scrapped.”

21 747-400s operated by United were scrapped. Twelve United Boeing 747-400s are housed at the Victorville aircraft graveyard in California. Some of United’s 747-400s are still in service with airlines such as these:

• Mahan Air
• Dubai Air Wing
• Atlas Air
• Maximum air

According to airportspotting.com, some of United’s old Boeing 747s have found a new life, albeit in a very different way:

“Several former United Airlines 747-400 aircraft have been repurposed for unusual new uses: former N187UA is being used as a two-story cafe in Bangkok and N178UA is being prepared for use as a lounge and office area as part of a two-rise residential and retail complex in Seattle, USA.”