Boeing 747-400 Retirement Draws Closer

Only 29 passenger-carrying 747-400s are still in service.

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-400 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ Planes ]August 2, 2024 4:49 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

The number of Boeing 747-400s still in service is slowly dwindling. In 1988, Boeing debuted the first 747-400, which later became the so-called Queen of the Skies’ best-selling variant.

Over the jet’s lifespan, Boeing delivered nearly 700 747-400s in both passenger and freight configurations. With the 747-8 being announced in 2005, the last -400 was delivered to Kalitta Air in 2009.

Some of the largest operators of the passenger-carrying 747-400 included British Airways, United, and Japan Airlines. British Airways retired its fleet of 747-400s in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Few Remain

Data from Cirium Fleet Analyzer shows that only a few passenger 747-400s remain. As of August 2024, 29 747-400s are in service and 368 have been either retired or placed in storage.

Lufthansa is currently the largest operator of the type with eight aircraft still active. During a recent earnings call, the airline announced plans to phase out the 747-400 fleet by 2028. The aircraft will join the carrier’s aging A330-200s and A340s which are also set to enter retirement.

The company’s interim finance chief Dr. Michael Niggemann said these aircraft retirements will help “bring [Lufthansa’s] productivity to a new level.” This announcement follows the airline’s earnings downturn during the first half of 2024.

Even as the 747-400s exit Lufthansa’s fleet, the German airline’s 19 747-8i aircraft are expected to remain in service for some time. Lufthansa first took delivery of the newer 747-8i variant in 2011, becoming the type’s launch customer.

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

In addition to Lufthansa’s remaining 747-400s, Atlas Air has five of the type, which are used for charter flights. Air China, Saudia, Mahan Air, and Russia’s Russiya Airlines also have small 747-400 fleets, although it is unclear how many are still fully active.

The cargo-carrying 747-400s will remain active well beyond the passenger version. Currently, there are 150 747-400F aircraft in service with an average age of just over 25 years old, according to Cirium fleet data.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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