Nov 20, 2016, 11:21 am
Last edit by: Juventini
United to retire 747 by end of 2017
Current scheduled 747 routes
Currently 14 left, retirement plan as follows(updated Aug 2017):
N127UA Owned - Exit 15-Aug-17 Age 18.0
N181UA Lease -01-Nov-17 -Exit 15-Oct-17 Lease return Age 26.0
N117UA Owned - Exit 30-Oct-17 Age 18.8
N174UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 30-Oct-17 Lease return Age 27.8
N105UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 23.4
N107UA Lease- 01-Jun-18 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 19.2
N175UA Owned - Exit 01-Nov-17 Age 27.2
N116UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.9
N118UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N128UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 17.5
N119UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N121UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.6
N178UA Lease - 01-May-18 Exit 20-Nov-17 Lease return Age 27.1
N180UA Owned - 20-Nov-17 Age 26.3
See details at United Fleet Site.
Current scheduled 747 routes
Currently 14 left, retirement plan as follows(updated Aug 2017):
N127UA Owned - Exit 15-Aug-17 Age 18.0
N181UA Lease -01-Nov-17 -Exit 15-Oct-17 Lease return Age 26.0
N117UA Owned - Exit 30-Oct-17 Age 18.8
N174UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 30-Oct-17 Lease return Age 27.8
N105UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 23.4
N107UA Lease- 01-Jun-18 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 19.2
N175UA Owned - Exit 01-Nov-17 Age 27.2
N116UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.9
N118UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N128UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 17.5
N119UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N121UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.6
N178UA Lease - 01-May-18 Exit 20-Nov-17 Lease return Age 27.1
N180UA Owned - 20-Nov-17 Age 26.3
See details at United Fleet Site.
UA to pilots: We're considering retiring all 747s by end of 2018 (Phaseout EOY 2017).
May 22, 2017, 5:55 pm
#616
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
My October trip had SFO-NRT and TPE-SFO all swapped to the 777. I had upper deck seats on both 
May 22, 2017, 6:10 pm
#617
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
My last SFO-ICN-SFO will likely serve as my last 747 trip. I was beyond ecstatic to be able to book F both ways, and seat 1K at the end to top it off. I had similar feelings to you all and actually left the flight with a big lump in my throat. Having grown up on the 747-400, it was beyond bittersweet.
SFO
ICN
Long live the queen!
SFO
ICN
Long live the queen!
Last edited by tuolumne; May 22, 2017 at 6:26 pm
May 22, 2017, 7:24 pm
#618
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
When did you fly that ICN was a night departure?? Thought it leaves at 6, and sunset is now past 7. Were you stuck on the recent 2am departure?
(Sorry ICN is my home airport LOL)
(Sorry ICN is my home airport LOL)
May 22, 2017, 8:20 pm
#619
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Yes, warren, I did the 2:40a departure.
The crew said the delay was due to:
1) Upon taxiing in SFO, they had to pull away on the runway hold box for 45 min due to a necessary re-route due to a volcano eruption over Japan.
2) Halfway there in the air, the pilots had to re-route again due to the same volcano
The flight got in almost 4 hours late, and they said by the time they got to their hotel in Seoul, they were approaching 19.5hrs in duty time. Hence the 9hr 47min delay due to crew rest requirements.
The staff at ICN (which was half dark at that point) were excellent, and they had free turkey sandwiches/fruit trays at approx 1:30a waiting for the entire flight at the gate (it was actually delicious).
The load was something to see...8 in F, 14 in business (I believe only 6 upstairs), and 40-something in coach...I took a lap of the plane, and let's just say most everyone had a lie flat in this flight.
We arrived 10hr 8mim min late at approx 9:30p Sun night.
The crew was great and profusely apologetic for all of us who decided to stick around.
It was lovely seeing a dark lit up Seoul and both coastlines of S. Korea upon departure.
The crew said the delay was due to:
1) Upon taxiing in SFO, they had to pull away on the runway hold box for 45 min due to a necessary re-route due to a volcano eruption over Japan.
2) Halfway there in the air, the pilots had to re-route again due to the same volcano
The flight got in almost 4 hours late, and they said by the time they got to their hotel in Seoul, they were approaching 19.5hrs in duty time. Hence the 9hr 47min delay due to crew rest requirements.
The staff at ICN (which was half dark at that point) were excellent, and they had free turkey sandwiches/fruit trays at approx 1:30a waiting for the entire flight at the gate (it was actually delicious).
The load was something to see...8 in F, 14 in business (I believe only 6 upstairs), and 40-something in coach...I took a lap of the plane, and let's just say most everyone had a lie flat in this flight.
We arrived 10hr 8mim min late at approx 9:30p Sun night.
The crew was great and profusely apologetic for all of us who decided to stick around.
It was lovely seeing a dark lit up Seoul and both coastlines of S. Korea upon departure.
May 22, 2017, 8:58 pm
#620
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
Thanks so much for the details! I was wondering what actually happened. 40 people in coach... THAT is a sight to see!
If I was in that situation I would have done the same as you, but only if SF was my final destination - otherwise you've missed your connection and have to stay in SF overnight.
If I was in that situation I would have done the same as you, but only if SF was my final destination - otherwise you've missed your connection and have to stay in SF overnight.
May 23, 2017, 1:30 pm
#622
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Thanks for all the advice here, I decided to jump for flying first in 2k for SFO-FRA instead of LX J. My decision was swayed by what might be my only chance to sit in the nose of a 747 (except for LH J but I'm not that interested in that).
Unfortunately UA isn't selling saver business on any of the flights that would've worked for me (an upper deck exit row window seat was open on the same SFO-FRA for most of yesterday, but has disappeared again, and I still can't buy it anyway).
Unfortunately UA isn't selling saver business on any of the flights that would've worked for me (an upper deck exit row window seat was open on the same SFO-FRA for most of yesterday, but has disappeared again, and I still can't buy it anyway).
Jun 17, 2017, 9:42 pm
#623
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,339
Possibly my last Seat 1K flight
Flew PEK-SFO in the Global First Cabin of UA 744 yesterday (N175UA).
Sat in seat 1K. Although I may still have up to 10 UA 747 flights left before end of October. Yesterday's flight could be my last one in seat 1K and possibly F. I usually P or Z fare because cost consideration.
What a wonderful experience as I have encountered many times before in row 1. Wide and Spacious. quiet and dark. It has more of a private jet feeling than the upper deck.
I have been flying UA 747 since September 1992. What a wonderful 25 years of experience sitting inside the Queen of Sky.
Sat in seat 1K. Although I may still have up to 10 UA 747 flights left before end of October. Yesterday's flight could be my last one in seat 1K and possibly F. I usually P or Z fare because cost consideration.
What a wonderful experience as I have encountered many times before in row 1. Wide and Spacious. quiet and dark. It has more of a private jet feeling than the upper deck.
I have been flying UA 747 since September 1992. What a wonderful 25 years of experience sitting inside the Queen of Sky.
Jun 17, 2017, 9:52 pm
#624
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
Jun 17, 2017, 10:41 pm
#625
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Great pics in this thread. I am for sure sad to see them go. Understand why, but I'll miss them. No more beautiful plane in the skies than the 747.
Jun 18, 2017, 1:25 am
#626
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,147
Great Pano! Our last 1A/K flights will be in August 
Jun 19, 2017, 4:52 pm
#627
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 337
Looks like the next one is on its way out. N122UA is about to take off to VCV.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N122UA
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N122UA
Jun 19, 2017, 10:13 pm
#628
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
I got this from planespotters - this is the retirement schedule as of now.
N120UA Owned - Exit 22-May-17 Age 18.1
N122UA Owned - Exit 01-Jun-17 Age 18.0
N104UA Owned - Exit 01-Jul-17 Age 19.5
N127UA Owned - Exit 15-Aug-17 Age 18.0
N181UA Lease -01-Nov-17 -Exit 15-Oct-17 Lease return Age 26.0
N117UA Owned - Exit 30-Oct-17 Age 18.8
N174UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 30-Oct-17 Lease return Age 27.8
N105UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 23.4
N107UA Lease- 01-Jun-18 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 19.2
N175UA Owned - Exit 01-Nov-17 Age 27.2
N116UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.9
N118UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N128UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 17.5
N119UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N121UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.6
N178UA Lease - 01-May-18 Exit 20-Nov-17 Lease return Age 27.1
N180UA Owned - 20-Nov-17 Age 26.3
N122UA Owned - Exit 01-Jun-17 Age 18.0
N104UA Owned - Exit 01-Jul-17 Age 19.5
N127UA Owned - Exit 15-Aug-17 Age 18.0
N181UA Lease -01-Nov-17 -Exit 15-Oct-17 Lease return Age 26.0
N117UA Owned - Exit 30-Oct-17 Age 18.8
N174UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 30-Oct-17 Lease return Age 27.8
N105UA Lease- 09-Dec-17 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 23.4
N107UA Lease- 01-Jun-18 Exit 01-Nov-17 Lease return Age 19.2
N175UA Owned - Exit 01-Nov-17 Age 27.2
N116UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.9
N118UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N128UA Owned - Exit 10-Nov-17 Age 17.5
N119UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.7
N121UA Owned - Exit 20-Nov-17 Age 18.6
N178UA Lease - 01-May-18 Exit 20-Nov-17 Lease return Age 27.1
N180UA Owned - 20-Nov-17 Age 26.3
Jun 21, 2017, 10:45 am
#629
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
I read somewhere yesterday the very last flight turn is SFO-ICN-SFO on 10/28-10/29
they promised a memorable sendoff. A 3rd tier one-off isn't memorable. Even the UAUA 737 got better treatment.
they promised a memorable sendoff. A 3rd tier one-off isn't memorable. Even the UAUA 737 got better treatment.
Jun 21, 2017, 12:22 pm
#630
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: DL; AA; UA; CO; LHLX; NZ; QR; EK; BA
Posts: 7,409
Now working on getting on the last scheduled DL 744 flight as well (which will be DL158 ICN-DTW on 12/17)...
Sad...these will be the two last scheduled 747 flights by US carriers