Originally Posted by
flyerdude88
We also may see it for quite a while longer if they choose the 748i over the 77W (or potentially the 77X) to replace the two current 747s that are used as Air Force One.
The Secret Service wants the president to have four engines. The betting around Everett is that Boeing will keep the production line open long enough for Uncle Sam to order two presidential aircraft plus a couple of sister E-4 "doomsday" aircraft. If they last as long as the current VC-25s (specialized 742s), they'll keep the 747 in the public eye through 2045 or so. That'll be 75 years since Pan Am inaugurated 747 service. Respectable when you consider the 707 was mostly eclipsed after only 20 years, the 727 after 30 or 35.
Originally Posted by
quarryking
Hope the sales numbers on the 748's passenger versions pick up...Apart from Lufthansa, not sure who else currently fly them..?
The passenger 748 is operated only by LH and some private VIPs. Korean Air, Air China, Transaero, and Arik Air (Nigeria) have a few on order. That's it.