When you think about how some of the 747s were configured (high J) config for the US routes. Travel collapsed, and did anyone think they would be able to fill a 70+ J cabin again in the following 5 years…at the time it looked unlikely.

Since it was originally expected the last 747 would be heading off this year/next, it probably made sense to send them to the scrap and be done with them.

Hindsight and all that.

Having flown to DFW several times on the 744, some of them were in some state.