747-400`s future

[747 forever]

well yes or no???? Please???

[er340790]

I read a while back that the USAF already has B52 pilots who are the grandchildren of original B52 pilots... the airframes are currently slated to still be operational around 80 years after manufacture. WAY TO GO BOEING!

So a 20-year old 747 pilot in 1970, say has kids who flying by 1990 and grandkids who could be flying 747s.... around now.

Anyone know if it has happened yet???????

[screwdriver]

I never thought that I'd say this , as they only got rid of their last -200s 9 years ago, but...BA about to scrap one of their early 400s!
Probably delivered in 89.
Makes me feel OLD.

[Wannabe Flyer]

http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...ml#post6213821

Still a Majestic bird

[11Fan]

So small question will it be here in 20-30 years time? Yes or no?

well yes or no???? Please???

OK...........................Yes

[747 forever]

really, or made up hehe. You did not sound as confident. I take that as a yes in that case...

[11Fan]

You did not sound as confident

Well son, considering I am involved in converting 747-400's from a passenger configuration to a freighter -and have been doing it for a number of years- yeah, I'm pretty confident.

You asked for a yes or no answer. It has been provided, several times already.

Let's move on, shall we?

[747 forever]

so what happens to the 747 that come from international airliners? Many international airlines are retiring them in favor of other planes. Do we see a future for the 747 or not? I know the freight is the best but how about the future of passenger services? Also how about aging 777s? The oldest ones are getting quite old. Whats worse is there is no 777BCF

[747 forever]

ok thanks. The freight sounds good but how about passenger services? Will there be passenger services from the 747-400 in 20-30 years time?

[mutt]

Yes they will Are you happy now? There are certain routes or passenger movements in the world that require large aircraft, but as they only happen once per year, very few operators will be able to support the operating costs of the A380 just for these movements, hence the 747 will live on in the same way that the L1011 has done

Mutt

[747 forever]

thanks, before I go, what do you mean once a year? Literally once a year or something like charter routes. Also how did the tristar do it? What kind of airlines will operate them?

[mutt]

Did you ever hear of HAJJ? Once a year with approx 1 million passengers carried inbound within 6 weeks and then outbound again, for another 6 weeks. What kind of airlines operate these flights, actually a lot of flag carriers operate them, as well as "fly by night" airlines that only operate for 3 months a year and might actually manage to pay their employees salaries and expenses. These airlines have already started operating Hajj with the -400....

Mutt

[747 forever]

is that the only thing? I think the a380 would be perfect for that. But yes I have heard of it. Is it only second hand airlines who do that?

[747 forever]

can we rely on this?The replacements

Is this accurate or are the dates made up? Also why are the 747 classics being retired in 2008? If its inefficient why fly it? The -400 has a better range.

[SNS3Guppy]

Also why are the 747 classics being retired in 2008?

Are you aware it's 2011?

We operate Classics, quite successfully. Not retired, and not close to retirement. We also operate the -400's, also quite successfully. The -400 will be around for a long time to come.

[747 forever]

thanks, yes but if you saw in my link it says 2008 but that is for passenger versions. Is your company a freight company? The freight is excellent. When do you think the last regular, non charter, non Hajj passenger flight will be flown? On my link it says 2024 for the passenger but I can`t trust randy. He is bias

[747 forever]

also JAL is preparing to retire its 777-200, 777-300. Before you reply keep in mind they are the non ERs. They are operated on short flights so there coming to the end of there cycles. What do you think is going to happen to them? Scrap or being sold? Most of the oldest 777s are coming to the end to.

[Dan Winterland]

''I read a while back that the USAF already has B52 pilots who are the grandchildren of original B52 pilots... the airframes are currently slated to still be operational around 80 years after manufacture.''

The RAF VC10 fleet had a Captain who was the third generation of HER family to fly the aircraft. Her Grandfather did the developement flying in BOAC, her dad flew them before joining the Concorde fleet, and she later flew them in the RAF.


The B52s have sat around on alert for a lot of their life and despite being old, have very few hours - especially compared to civil aircraft. Quite a few of the KC135s are in the same caegory.

[747 forever]

so people say that long haul planes that can serve small airports are good. What if there was a plane that can fly long haul, serve small airports and can carry lots and lots of passengers. Would that be good? Something like the A380 but can land and takeoff from a small airport like the 787? I thought that would be good

[galaxy flyer]

A recipe for financial disaster--A380/747 size planes operating out of small airports, that is small cities. These cities cannot generate enough traffic to justify large planes. That is the point of the 787, develop smaller markets by offering non-stop service to international markets.

I cannot believe many 777s are being scrapped yet, the oldest is only 15 years, perhaps 60,000 hours.

GF