Time for the 747s to go

[Flying mermaid]

This was a picture I took of the door of the J toilet on QF63 in September 2013 so the 747s have been having tatty moments for awhile

 

[moa999]

Something fell off. New part, bit of glue, all fixed.
Could happen on a brand new 787, could happen on a 20yo 747.

 

[straitman]

This is precisely why I avoid the 747s like the plague but then again, I've never liked the type even back in the days when it was newish still.
I know that many people on here will disagree but for me, the 747 was always an unfinished job with that hump on the front. Airbus had to come in to set it right with the A380 Now please don't flame and burn me for what is a very personal opinion

No flaming. I simply don't agree with you.

This discussion has nothing to do with the 747 but all to do with how the internals are maintained.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Something fell off. New part, bit of glue, all fixed.
Could happen on a brand new 787, could happen on a 20yo 747.

the top one yes - I thought the bottom hole was a little more dramatic

 

[Longtoo]

My upcoming flight in Jan to Japan is also on a 747. Purchase PE but hoping for award upgrade to J. is J seat in 747 similar to that 380? TIA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My upcoming flight in Jan to Japan is also on a 747. Purchase PE but hoping for award upgrade to J. is J seat in 747 similar to that 380? TIA.

If it's a three class, yes same as the A380.

If it's a four class plane (sold as three class), business class is older generation angled flat beds. You want a seat in the F cabin (rows 1-4).

 

[leadman]

I will miss the 747's as i still find they have character, which is lost on all the airbus fleet. Even that cheeky pointy nose of the 737 is always worth seeing. The Airbus fleet, to me, is designed to the typical European style of "clinical sterility".

 

[justinbrett]

This is precisely why I avoid the 747s like the plague but then again, I've never liked the type even back in the days when it was newish still.
I know that many people on here will disagree but for me, the 747 was always an unfinished job with that hump on the front. Airbus had to come in to set it right with the A380 Now please don't flame and burn me for what is a very personal opinion

I think you're in a very small minority (but you are allowed to have that opinion). Many people view the 747 has an elegant, beautifully designed aircraft.

The A380, whilst practical, is pretty ugly.

In any case, there's been over 1500 B747 built over 50 years. The A380 has just over 200, and will max out at just over 300, over a much shorter timeframe. Neither aircraft has a future. But you can never argue the A380 has received the same place in aviation history that the B747 has.

 

[Berlin]

I think you're in a very small minority

I'm fully aware of that

 

[Longtoo]

thanks Mel-traveler for the info.
QF should prioritise refurbishing the last 2 A330-200 first. I would much prefer the refurbished A330 but would not mind either 747 or 380.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I always feel a bit strange when I read these discussions of A380vs 747! I honestly couldn’t care less what the plane looks like on the outside or what it is. My priorities are

Fully flat bed
Food
How nice the inside looks (and old tired interiors don’t do it for me)
Then probably equal alcohol and niceness of staff
Price

Not too worried about entertainment systems as I can always read a book, although failing systems generally go with tired interiors.

Whether I am flying an A380 or a 747 or any other variety doesn’t come into it, except that if I am chasing a particular refurbishment or attribute (like showers), I have learned that I need to know what plane these are offered on.

 

[JohnK]

I always feel a bit strange when I read these discussions of A380vs 747! I honestly couldn’t care less what the plane looks like on the outside or what it is.

I'm not sure discussion is that much about A380 vs 747 but rather more to do with the comfort level inside the cabin.

Personally I find any economy configuration of 747 or A380 to be far superior to most configurations of say A330, 787 or 787.

And I'd almost forgotten but have 3 flights coming up in 2 days time SYD-BKK-HKG-BKK on TG 747 in business. Looking forward to those flights.

 

[justinbrett]

I always feel a bit strange when I read these discussions of A380vs 747! I honestly couldn’t care less what the plane looks like on the outside or what it is. My priorities are

Fully flat bed
Food
How nice the inside looks (and old tired interiors don’t do it for me)
Then probably equal alcohol and niceness of staff
Price

Not too worried about entertainment systems as I can always read a book, although failing systems generally go with tired interiors.

Whether I am flying an A380 or a 747 or any other variety doesn’t come into it, except that if I am chasing a particular refurbishment or attribute (like showers), I have learned that I need to know what plane these are offered on.

So I take it you're not an AvGeek...

Some of us are!

 

[Flying mermaid]

So I take it you're not an AvGeek...

Some of us are!

That is very obvious - and I am actually quite admiring of the passion, but I am afraid when I say I like flying it really isn’t about the plane

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I always feel a bit strange when I read these discussions of A380vs 747! I honestly couldn’t care less what the plane looks like on the outside or what it is. My priorities are

Fully flat bed
Food
How nice the inside looks (and old tired interiors don’t do it for me)
Then probably equal alcohol and niceness of staff
Price

Whether I am flying an A380 or a 747 or any other variety doesn’t come into it, except that if I am chasing a particular refurbishment or attribute (like showers), I have learned that I need to know what plane these are offered on.

There's two things I'd add to your list... minimal disturbance and privacy. The nose of the 747 (and row 1 in particular) is the only place you're going to get that. Otherwise with airbus aircraft and the other boeings there's foot traffic to the galley and/or WCs at the front.

 

[jb747]

Personally, I like more engines, more hydraulic systems, more generators!

 

[Franky]

That's definitely a like!..

 

[leadman]

My best part about the 747 is that pace down the runway...... the nose goes up and you can feel the engines behind you. The 380 just seems to be a glide. Grunt power at its best.......