nzz

By coincidence ended up on UA889, the last UA 747 out of PEK (N105UA delivered in 1994). Took the plunge and upgraded a G fare good for ~260PQD into an UD window seat. Great way to take what is very likely to be my last ever 747 ride on any airline.

Waiting at the gate I saw the cockpit hatch open and pilots & FAs pop out to take selfies of themselves with the queen. Some ground crew came upto the cockpit to get souvenirs signed by the pilots. They also waved the plane good bye - I know this is common in Japan, but guessing not at PEK.

No PA announcement of the 'occasion' but the UD FAs let the C pax know. Great flight that arrived almost an hour early.

This flight was almost exactly 19 years after my first UA trip: AKL-LAX on the 747, traveling to grad school in the US.