B747 from ARN to.. almost anywhere..

[MrSnuggles]

Many airlines want to retire the B747. I regret that the world is as it is, that this iconic and beautiful airplane is being phased out by things that all look the same (except freighters and the A380).

I would like to go somewhere on the B747 before it is too late. Problem is, I have no desire to go to Thailand, which is the primary source of B747s we get in ARN.

Being a tad lazy I was hoping someone here would know by heart if/when there is a B747 leaving from ARN, and if not - where should I go to "get" one?

Hopefully it would be nice to meet up with someone from this forum. You know, I would need some kind of reason to present to family and friends so they don't realise that I am such a sucker fanboy to this level... LOL!

(BTW, I really hope the B747-8 someday picks up pace... even small children without special knowledge will, and do, recognise a B747. THAT is achievement my friends!)

[AndoniP]

why go for a flight? it's nothing special, it's just big.

there's a 747 hotel at arlanda, just stay there instead, jumbostay.se I think. It'll be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a long haul flight to somewhere you're not that bothered about just to have a flight in one.

if there aren't any 747 operators where you are, I would go to somewhere like Amsterdam or Frankfurt to get a 747 to somewhere nice. AMS -> St Maarten being my choice if I had the money. :ok:

[MrSnuggles]

Trust me, I know about the hotel.. pass it every time I'm going planespotting.

I just don't think you get my level of fanboy. I want to hear the engines roar, feel the race down the runway, the lift off, walk in the stairs between the decks, feel the turbulence, see the wings rocking, smell the fumes of airplane fuel and other nasty things... you can't get any of that jazz in a boring hotel.

Is Lufthansa a member of Star Alliance? Do they go to St Maartens?

[kcockayne]

Yes, & No.

[wowzz]

Could you get a cheap flight to London and fly BA to, say, Boston?

[crewmeal]

Exactly. If you don't want LHR alternatively AF and LH still have 747's and if your lucks in you might get LH's new 748. Depends how much you want to spend.

[MrSnuggles]

Any other fanboys who live close to an airport where the B747 still lands? It would be kind of nice knowing someone would show me around - makes for great memories.

(No, nothing in Thailand counts. ;-D )

I would be absolutely thrilled if I could get a trip on one of those earlier 747's - I don't mind sleeping curled up next to a cargo pallet full of rotten bananas on a freighter 747 Classic.

That's my level of fanboy.

[Need to Know Basis]

Global Aviation Services from OST twice per month operating B747-200F nice and old and probably very smelly. Problem being it is going to MJI therefore a short trip straight into a war !

[MrSnuggles]

You're just making fun of me.

I'm gonna sulk in the corner now.

[MrSnuggles]

Major hubs for B747s in Europe seems to be AMS, FRA and LHR.

Sooo, some fanboy here who lives near an airport with B747 arrivals and wants to show another fanboy around a bit?

I decided to stop sulking (hehe) but now I need a reason to go someplace so my relatives don't think I am really really crazy for real.

[Flightmech]

I haven't been to ARN for over a year but I guess Thai have switched from the 744 to other equipment since then?

[MrSnuggles]

The B747 does show up from time to time. Very unreliable. I don't follow their timetable, or maintenance procedures. Could be any reason they switch. Oh dear. Maybe I need to go to Thailand before they retire the most iconic airplane since sliced bread!

[Hartington]

I booked a flight last year - scheduled as a 744 both ways. Checked in 24 hours ahead and saw a 747 seat plan. Arrived at the airport to be given a new seat on a 773. Flight home was still a 744. Substitutions happen occasionally so be prepared.

[nt639]

Take a trip to here Technik Museum Speyer (http://speyer.technik-museum.de/en/boeing-747)

[MrSnuggles]

So I have decided to go by Lufthansa. Great airline. Flies the 747-400 and 747-8 and I'm guessing I've got to change at FRA.

Now, where do I go from there? Any Australian chaps who would guide a Swedish mega fanboy? Or do I use some dedicated convincing and get a great Star Alliance deal to, I don't know, New York maybe? Are New Yorkers interested in strange Swedish plane spotters? Should I opt for Australia instead?

I won't go to Africa unless anyone convinces me I won't get bitten by a snake, eaten by a scorpion or shot by a dentist. I also refuse to have mango fly larvae crawling under my skin. Nope. Never in my life.

[kcockayne]

I should think that Australia is just as dangerous as Africa !

[susier]

I like your style Mr S. and I wish I could help. Sadly our nearest is Manston and they don't fly anything any more :sad:


I don't like flying at all, but watching planes does it for me big time - just seeing them go over.


I have no idea why. My family all think I'm insane, too. :}


I've graduated from an intense love for old motorcycles - I've been known to park up, get down and sniff the engines from time to time.


Ok, maybe my family has a point.


Good luck with your expedition, I am rather envious.

[5711N0205W]

You could go to Brazil via FRA with LH on the 747-8, winter there at the moment though still quite pleasant, off there in 10 days or so, ticket price (booked about 8 weeks ago) was quite reasonable.

[BKS Air Transport]

I guess what you are saying, being very keen on your hobby, but I'd be inclined to replace the word 'fanboy' with 'enthusiast'. 'Fanboy' has connotations of 1970s Abba fan meets train spotter, well over here anyway!


Have a great time, Mr S.

[MrSnuggles]

susier,

thank you very much for your very kind words! I totally get what you mean about relatives thinking you're crazy and since I am a bit crazy, actually, I'm trying to dial it down a bit by searching for someone somewhere the 747 lands so I can tell people

"Oh, I'm going to YYY because someone I know (ehhrrrm, bending the truth can be beneficial) lives there."

instead of

"I really need to take a trip on the most beautiful passenger plane ever and I don't really mind ending up in YYY because there are lots of spotters there."

And, BKS Air Transport - yes, keen is the right word. I am not so sure about how to use slang in English but I saw that many anime comicons cosplayers are called fanboys and since I am a bit tounge-in-cheek about this (this IS a bit mental after all) I chose to use that word. I honestly have no idea if "fanboy" is considered intellectually challenged or not. But I do like ABBA - and they too are Swedish!

5711N0205W
Brazil sounds nice. I'm thinking I need to go in Novembre. That would be summer in Brazil, right?

Soooo, do anybody know any enthusiasts in Brazil?

Or Australia. I'm leaning towards Australia. They have poisonous snakes but they also have kangaroos. Those are precious.

[MrSnuggles]

wowzz

I just noticed your post, and Boston sounds like an interesting place. I'm just a bit unsure whether Boston John still works there or if he got promoted and moved... I would be thrilled to meet him, hear him tell some stories over a few pints.

[DamnYouIshihara]

Thank you MrSnuggles, your post has finally compelled me to register after several years of lurking

My most memorable trip in a 747 was travelling from LHR to New York with a friend (who coincidentally was half Swedish) and after the friendship, err, 'blossomed' in NYC we joined a certain club on the return trip.

The BA cabin crew then gave us a carrier bag full of minatures to celebrate.

Although if I was given a choice I would prefer to travel on the A380, I will always have fond memories of the 747 and I admire your willingness to fulfil your desire (as you never know if you will get another chance... I know that I haven't).

As for a destination, I would have to second St Maarten, especially if I thought this may be my only chance to be on a 747.