The global COVID-19 crisis has impacted aviation profoundly as airlines quickly adapt to crippling demand for air travel and a new reality of border restrictions, grounded jets and seeing sub 20 percent flight load factors. Over 85 airlines across the globe have announced a temporary halt in flight operations and almost all carriers are working to quickly downsize their fleet in an effort to run more efficient operations. When looking at which aircraft to ground, the older, less fuel-efficient aircraft…
Israel's flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines has become the latest airline to retire the Boeing 747-400 aircraft, bringing an end to a 48-year association between the aircraft and carrier. To mark the last flight of the 747, registered as 4X-ELC, the flight-crew took off from Rome-Fiumicino and flew back…
Continuing its gradual retirement of the type, Qantas parted ways with another Boeing 747-400 on Tuesday. The airline’s latest Boeing 747 to be sent to the United States was VH-OJU named Lord Howe Island, a near-20-year-old Qantas veteran and one of its longest-serving global ambassadors at the time of its…
Iran’s largest privately-owned airline recently reactivated an aircraft that was stored in 2010. Mahan Air’s EP-MNB performed a test flight on Aug. 27, 2019 according to ch-aviation and began commercial flights on Sept. 4. The aircraft was first delivered to Mahan Air in 2009 and flew for just over one…
British Airways continued their centenary celebrations with a flypast during this year's Royal International Air Tattoo. The 100th year since the origin of the United Kingdom's flag carrier has seen special events and occasions to mark the landmark year, including four aircraft being repainted in retro liveries. One of these…
There is undoubtedly something special about flying on a Boeing 747. In one sense, it’s like taking a ride on a piece of history as the jet is not only aesthetically pleasing but also an emblem of ingenuity. The Queen of the Skies, as the aircraft is affectionately known, is…
In November 2017, United Airlines retired the 747 after 47 years of service. After being retired from revenue service, most of the former flagships of the United fleet made their way to Southern California for storage and a quiet retirement. However, one of United's 747-400s, N119UA, has been brought out…
Inevitably, the Queen of the Skies is winding down from regular commercial service. EVA Air, one of the few remaining Boeing 747 operators, is retiring the freighter variant from its Taipei to Los Angeles, officially ending the aircraft type's service for the company. EVA took delivery of its first Boeing…
The stretch of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson is filled with its fair share of oddities. Just about halfway between Arizona's two largest cities lies a ranch where visitors can stop by to feed ostriches and stingrays — in the same visit — smack-dab in the middle of the…
On the day of its birthday, British Airways has upgraded three of its domestic U.K. flights from their usual Airbus fleet. Three flights on August 25 will operate on Boeing 747-400s, expected to feature a retro heritage livery such as BOAC, Landor or Negus to Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow. These…
