Queen of the Skies Not Done Flying

Despite lavish send-offs marking legacy carriers’ end of flying the Boeing 747, the “Queen of the Skies” is finding a renaissance. Cargo airlines are quickly buying up retiring jumbo jets from airlines sending them out to the desert – if they can find them and if they can get the right price.

Although flyers’ days aboard the Boeing 747 may be limited, the iconic jumbo jet isn’t done flying yet. Bloomberg reports as they are retired to the desert, cargo airlines are scrambling to pick up the prior-generation aircraft.

In the last year, both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines hosted major events saying goodbye to their regular 747 service. In these situations, the carriers normally send out their aircraft to salvage yards, where they will provide parts to other aircraft.

But instead of a systematic retirement process, cargo airlines are scrambling to pick up the used aircraft for transporting goods and equipment. The biggest demand is for the original freighter variant, featuring a nose opening to load oversized equipment.

Why are airlines buying a used 747 instead of ordering the new version? The demand for air transportation is growing and more cargo space is necessary. The International Air Transport Association estimates air cargo shipments will grow by five percent in 2018. To make up for the current space deficit, transport airlines are asking for bigger airframes.

In addition, there is a long wait to get a new 747 off the factory floor. According to public data from Boeing, the Chicago-based manufacturer has a backlog of 24 deliveries for the 747-8. This includes 23 promised to UPS and one to an “undisclosed customer.” Buying a used 747 is an immediate answer to the growing demand for the bigger aircraft.

Although the Boeing 747 will be flying for years to come, don’t expect to see old Delta or United jumbo jets in the skies. United announced parts of theirs would go to auction for MileagePlus members, while retired Delta aircraft are expected to be used for parts.

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