Is the 747 on its last legs?

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

If Boeing is right and the future is more point to point than hub based travel, then twin engine aircraft seem to have the edge.

Having said that, I'd like to try out a 747-8i. I get the feeling it makes more commercial sense except for the very heavy load routes. Far easier to fill one up than the A380

 

[Isochronous]

The A340 is out of production, probably for good reasons. It simply can't compete against the 77W in 99% of the missions. And then, hardly anyone would attempt something like SYD-JNB/SCL. CX got rid of them a long time ago too.

I remember doing FCO-HKG on CX in an A340 in early 2011.

 

[mannej]

The A340 is out of production, probably for good reasons. It simply can't compete against the 77W in 99% of the missions. And then, hardly anyone would attempt something like SYD-JNB/SCL. CX got rid of them a long time ago too.

I'm fairly sure CX still have 343's in their current fleet, even if it's only 11...

 

[Awesom Andy]

I'm fairly sure CX still have 343's in their current fleet, even if it's only 11...

I was actually thinking of the 346s, which were long gone. The 343s are indeed still flying.

 

[mannej]

I was actually thinking of the 346s, which were long gone. The 343s are indeed still flying.

Didn't they only have one?

 

[Tristanm]

I was actually thinking of the 346s, which were long gone. The 343s are indeed still flying.

I almost accidentally booked cx270 from Amsterdam to HKG as part of a OW 285k, it is serviced by a 343 apparently. Quickly realised my mistake though and routed via Frankfurt instead on a 777.

I would hate to see the 747 go entirely. I have flown a lot more on the a380 of late though and I'm a fan.

 

[Flying Fox]

Similarly, sales of the A380 are poor.

Net sales for this year are -3 with EK holding approx 30% of the backlog or 40% if you only count the units likely to be delivered.

Big bird fails to take off: Airbus A380 sales slump

 

[uvkelly]

More information on this.
An interesting article.Boeing's Iconic 747 Jet Is Too Big and Too Expensive for Modern-Day Aviation - Skift

 

[markis10]

Didn't they only have one?

Three, now all with Hainan.

 

[Berlin]

Is the 747 on its last legs? Yes- it has been for ten years now since Airbus managed to produce what Boeing never was able to: A proper double deck plane that deserves its name rather than that half-ar#@d job of a 747 with the stupid pimple on the top. Never liked it and never will but LOVE the A380, such a great plane! Boeing fan boys may now roast me on the spit

 

[lovestotravel]

Is the 747 on its last legs? Yes- it has been for ten years now since Airbus managed to produce what Boeing never was able to: A proper double deck plane that deserves its name rather than that half-ar#@d job of a 747 with the stupid pimple on the top. Never liked it and never will but LOVE the A380, such a great plane! Boeing fan boys may now roast me on the spit

Shame that the A380 may never actually break even for Airbus though

Also the A380 has yet another issue which needs fixing EASA Proposes A380 Fuselage Panel Checks while this is only a small issue, I think the A380's size is really pushing the boundaries of what we can build well at this point of time. Much like the 787 which is too far advanced, but will eventually become a great aircraft

The 747 is dead - The past 5 years have pretty much guaranteed this

The A350-100, 777-8X, 777-9X will do pretty much what the 747 does (not sure about freight though)

It's sad as I grew up flying the 747 many times a year with my parents and it was and still is a solid reliable workhorse!

 

[Berlin]

Shame that the A380 may never actually break even for Airbus though
Also the A380 has yet another issue which needs fixing EASA Proposes A380 Fuselage Panel Checks while this is only a small issue, I think the A380's size is really pushing the boundaries of what we can build well at this point of time.

Yea- I know, just couldn't resist taking a stab at Boeing And I admit that I'm very biased in favor of Airbus!

 

[Fruitcake]

...rather than that half-ar#@d job of a 747 with the stupid pimple on the top.

The 747 looks like that because Boeing rashly assumed the predecessors of Airbus would be able to get the whole economic supersonic travel thing sorted out . Instead it was yet another European failure.


I'll line up on the spit next to you, the Concorde fanbois will be along shortly .

 

[Berlin]

I'll line up on the spit next to you, the Concorde fanbois will be along shortly .

Yumm- mixed grill!

 

[VHOEJ]

The 747 was never going to be around forever - but the A380 would be more of a worry. Way off breaking even, no orders this year. I would be more concerned with it - the Jumbo has had an amazing run.

The future of air travel is 777/787/A350 size aircraft with more frequency, not bigger aircraft.

 

[markis10]

It was somewhat eye catching to see not one but two Star Alliance livery 747s at Sydney the other day, along with a A330 also in said livery it was something of an invasion of the theme.

 

[Ansett]

Saw the 2 747's yesterday the Thai and the United but didnt see the 330 who was that one from?

 

[markis10]

Saw the 2 747's yesterday the Thai and the United but didnt see the 330 who was that one from?

It was B6093 operating CA175 from PVG.

 

[The Rok]

Cost, reliability, efficiency and comfort aside, the 747 looks awesome, appealing, sexy, travel worthy and desirable.

The A380, well it looks like a blob of aluminium poo..

Give me the real true JUMBO any day.

 

[JohnK]

Is the 747 on its last legs? Yes- it has been for ten years now since Airbus managed to produce what Boeing never was able to: A proper double deck plane that deserves its name rather than that half-ar#@d job of a 747 with the stupid pimple on the top. Never liked it and never will but LOVE the A380, such a great plane! Boeing fan boys may now roast me on the spit

See how you like it when Ryannair and Jetstar are the only 2 airlines flying the A380 in an all economy config.

At least the 747 is going out with some sort of dignity....