How to identify specific 747?

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 6, 2006 | 12:14 pm

Bear4Asian

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2004

Location: SEA

Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS

Posts: 1,295

How to identify specific 747?

Hello flying friends.

I've been flying MSP - NRT - PVG a lot lately and since I have so much time on the plane, I'm interested in identifying the specific plane I'm on.

Is there a way, from the inside of the plane (without scratching my initials in the bathroom) to identify the specific plane? e.g. Serial Number, etc.

I feel like I'm flying on the same planse each time, but I'm never sure and curious to do so.

Thanks

Just call me a frequent flyer with too much time on the plane

Mar 6, 2006 | 12:18 pm

thezipper

Join Date: Aug 1999

Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador

Posts: 7,451

Easiest is to ask the Purser what ship you are flying... also you can look on the nose wheel doors before you board, the number is painted there... 60XX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear4Asian

Hello flying friends.
Is there a way, from the inside of the plane (without scratching my initials in the bathroom) to identify the specific plane? e.g. Serial Number, etc.

Mar 6, 2006 | 12:35 pm

themicah

Join Date: Jan 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 8,691

Note that NW has 16 744s. My guess is that you're not actually on the exact same one every time.

See:
http://www.plane-spotters.net/Produc...ive=1&aircraft[]=s_747-400&airline[]=6017&status=1
http://ir.nwa.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=111021&p=irol-fleet

Mar 6, 2006 | 12:37 pm

sbagdon

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: DTW

Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*

Posts: 7,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear4Asian

Is there a way, from the inside of the plane (without scratching my initials in the bathroom) to identify the specific plane? e.g. Serial Number, etc.

I actually joked about this the other day, marking DC9s every time I flew one(not that I'd ever do it!). It's just that I feel like I've flown every darned one of them...

Steve B.

Mar 6, 2006 | 2:01 pm

Bigpops

Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: Lansing, MI USA, DL DM

Posts: 922

I actually maintain a spreadsheet that I use to track the tail number and seat I sit in on every flight... You'd be suprised how many times you fly the same plane...

Mar 6, 2006 | 2:12 pm

mot29

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)

Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat

Posts: 5,725

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbagdon

I actually joked about this the other day, marking DC9s every time I flew one(not that I'd ever do it!). It's just that I feel like I've flown every darned one of them...

Steve B.

Until they got that heavy maintenance, the DC9s had the id plate with SN, date of production, etc. on the hinge side forward passenger door sill. Where did those get moved?

Mar 6, 2006 | 4:03 pm

Himmelhund

Join Date: Jun 2005

Location: AZO/DTW

Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum, Delta GM, CO GE

Posts: 256

Folks,

I am starting hear some Twilight Zone music here

Mar 6, 2006 | 5:00 pm

drjazz

Join Date: Jan 2002

Location: DTW

Programs: Platinum: Delta, Starwood, Priority Club. Hyatt-Diamond, TA

Posts: 939

When I was a ghost rider with TWA, I had to id each plane I flew. The ID plate was usually located on the ceiling at the from galley.

Mar 6, 2006 | 5:34 pm

Radiocycle

Join Date: Jan 2002

Location: BSB

Programs: DL 2 MM

Posts: 5,004

Does NW have any "Ghostriders"?

Does anyone know if NWA has any ghostriders?

RC

Mar 6, 2006 | 6:39 pm

#10

MSP

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: MSP

Programs: NW Worldperks, AAdvantage, HHonors, SPG, National EC

Posts: 90

Besides from the fleet number on the nose mentioned above, on the very rear exterior of the aircraft is a alpha-numeric code starting with N. ex: N555US. This is the registration, and works just as well as the fleet no. Aircraft do have manufacturer's serial numbers (msn) and line numbers, which represent when this aircraft was produced. i.e. Line no. 1000 would represent roughly the 1000th airplane to be produced. Alternatively, above or near the passenger door on narrowbodies is the certificate of airworthiness or sanitary construction or something...This includes the registration number, along with some other info.

Mar 6, 2006 | 7:34 pm

#11

Radiocycle

Join Date: Jan 2002

Location: BSB

Programs: DL 2 MM

Posts: 5,004

The certificate numbers on the DC9's have been moved into the flight deck

The certificate on the DC9's use to be at 1L, right when you entered the ship. For some reason the certificates are now in the flight deck. Does anyone know why the certificates were moved?

RC

Mar 7, 2006 | 7:04 am

#12

Flaflyer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: The Sunshine State

Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP

Posts: 11,372

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiocycle

The certificate on the DC9's use to be at 1L, right when you entered the ship. For some reason the certificates are now in the flight deck. Does anyone know why the certificates were moved?

RC

IIRC the old 727 also had its plate near the front boarding door. I know why they moved them: so pax cannot read them. I used to read them and get shocked.

"OMG, this plane is older than I am and almost as old as the youngest FA"

Mar 7, 2006 | 12:57 pm

#13

jjvan

Join Date: Jun 2002

Programs: Delta DM Marriott Gold

Posts: 557

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiocycle

The certificate on the DC9's use to be at 1L, right when you entered the ship. For some reason the certificates are now in the flight deck. Does anyone know why the certificates were moved?

RC

They were moved when the AC was reconfigured. There are different safety equipment now where they used to be. This was also part of a program to standardize equipment on all aircraft.