The official end of the Boeing 747, say the airlines.

[CPTG747]

BOEING 747 A ERA GONE BY!

Iremember when Northwest acquired their first 747-200 in 1975. It was the most beautiful commercial plane in the skies.
The awesome Concorde flew the skies, the flag ship of the two carriers who so proudly flew them. The 747 also the flag ship of carriers whom flew them with pride. The pilots longing to sit in the seat of a Jumbo, the crew, the passengers all wished to ride the great Jumbo of the skies.
Then de-regulation came along in 1979 and changed the airlines forever!
As time rolled on airlines became more distraught to figure out ways to make the profit sheet balance. Airplanes became older, everyone was trying to keep up with each other.
The DC-10, B-707 and L-1011 all great ships, all 3 men crew, was just to much. The outcry for safety, and modernization was at hand. Airlines were scrambling to buy each other out, merge, sell out, down size, become larger, it was a time of roller coaster proportions to say least!
Boeing came out with the newer 747-400 a two man crew, and much more efficient flag ship.....Pilots, crew, passengers all loved it!
For few years Airbus talked about the Super Jumbo, many did not think it would ever take place, but it did. The world seen the First A-380 roll out. It was hard to believe, but it was larger than the ever great B747-400!
Economy set backs, fuel, maintenance, airlines struggle with compliance, FAA, stock holders, and they were looking for answers, and fast. Those powers to be some seen to get rid, of their 747's as there are many just sitting around now, and the price is less than 10% of cost new.
Boeing seen this, and the need for more efficient planes, as did the other manufacturer's. Airlines bitting at the bit to see the planes, and spaces, and price, and delivery, and whom was going to buy what ship and how many.
Then the world seen the B777 and now the B777-300ER which can carry passengers to any point in the world non stop.
The A-380 which can carry more passengers due to its two decks, and larger 4 engines, which makes the passenger millage and efficiency greater for its operators.
The lighter materials used, more redundant systems, more efficient engines, and better and easier maintenance and compliance factors all play into the B-777 and the A-380 long range planes, that put the hold on the B-747-400 which use to be the plane of choice for the airlines.......
With the 777 being able to fly international and met all the requirements of FAA, one engine flight, etc, and with the lower cost of operating, it will be here for years to come.
Many miss or will miss the 4 engines, as they feel it is safer when crossing the pond. The larger international operators are using the 777 and A-380s more and more. While states and smaller operators use and love the B757 and B767 versions. Both also great plane, and modern.
I loved the B-747 and look back on great times, and never will there be a ship any more beautiful than to see the great Jumbo B-747 depart from LAX, or Hong Kong, and other places all over the world.
As freight operators pick them up, they become less and less plane of choice by airlines now.
Could Boeing make changes, to engines, systems, etc to keep it alive, maybe! Will they, who knows, as Boeing like
the airlines are in business to make money, profit, and if carriers wanted a new efficient B-747-1000 to keep up with the A-380 might they do so.
We who have been associated with, pilots, crew, ground, and passengers will always remember and be thankful for that wonderful and un-mistaken sight on the ground and in the sky the AWESOME BOEING 747!
AIRFORCE ONE! B747...... God bless to all .......