Originally Posted by
Una Due Tfc
Didn’t KLM have a pair of 747-400 Combis operating until a couple of months ago, one of which had it’s retirement delayed and is flying pure freight right now?
The current situation especially with PPE being shipped means the aircraft max out on volume rather than weight. I know Aer Lingus are filling the holds and cabins of their 230T and 242T A333s with between 15T and 18T of PPE on PEK-DUB flights, the extra 12T of lift doesn’t make the cabin or hold any bigger! As such the A380 might actually be very useful for that role. Mriya can haul 250T internally or 200T on the roof, I wonder what she is actually hauling when full of PPE.
The 747-400 Combi's were certified before the regulations were changed. Once certified it remains certified even if the regulations change - new regulations are not retroactive. The only thing the feds can do once a configuration is certified is to issue an AD if they believe an unsafe condition exists.
EVA also operated 747-400 Combi's (I once flew on one between Seattle and Taiwan), although I don't know what eventually became of them...