June 14,2017, last UA 747 at NRT. Any special reason to be on it?
Jun 14, 2017, 2:24 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Great photos! Thank you! Truly the end of an era.
Not to be overly negative, but I have to be honest; After 9/11 when UAL Corp. was repeatedly denied any ATSB emergency stability funds from the Bush admin, then even more so with the announcement of the Ch. 11 filling, I wasn’t sure I'd be in the year 2017 still seeing a United Airlines 747-400 at Narita, or anywhere else for that matter. That makes this all the less bitter, and all the more sweet.
And lest we forget this last NRT UA 747-400 is leaving behind her inherited international trans-Orient home. I think we should all reflect on Pan Am right now as much as we are about UA.
p.s, I’m not sure if this user is here on FT (TimTam787), but I thought I’d post their Instagram profile link, as they have made some excellent montages, with Rhapsody, of the UA 747s over the years.
http://instagram.com/timtam787
Not to be overly negative, but I have to be honest; After 9/11 when UAL Corp. was repeatedly denied any ATSB emergency stability funds from the Bush admin, then even more so with the announcement of the Ch. 11 filling, I wasn’t sure I'd be in the year 2017 still seeing a United Airlines 747-400 at Narita, or anywhere else for that matter. That makes this all the less bitter, and all the more sweet.
And lest we forget this last NRT UA 747-400 is leaving behind her inherited international trans-Orient home. I think we should all reflect on Pan Am right now as much as we are about UA.
p.s, I’m not sure if this user is here on FT (TimTam787), but I thought I’d post their Instagram profile link, as they have made some excellent montages, with Rhapsody, of the UA 747s over the years.
http://instagram.com/timtam787
Last edited by tuolumne; Jun 14, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Jun 14, 2017, 4:15 pm
#23
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,432
Jun 14, 2017, 4:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAD-DCA
Programs: Won Kay
Posts: 1,324
Considering what a poor, poor, product UA 747's are, not sad to see them go in the least.
I was never much one for early 1980's nostalgia trips, which is what flights on these aircraft were. The idea you could fly TPAC on an aircraft that still used a projection screen for IFE is ridiculous.
I was never much one for early 1980's nostalgia trips, which is what flights on these aircraft were. The idea you could fly TPAC on an aircraft that still used a projection screen for IFE is ridiculous.
Jun 14, 2017, 4:34 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 584
Agreed! Flown on UA895 ORD-HKG a few times back when it was on the 747. Delayed every single time for hours. Was actually diverted once to NRT and I was actually happy about it because UA rebooked us on CX to continue on from NRT.
Jun 14, 2017, 5:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Yep, I'll never forget starting my formative flying memories by traveling across the Pacific Ocean in a United Airlines 747-400. And the ever elusive seat 1J in the United First Suite. 1K is a glorious way to fly today, but 1J seemed so new and amazing in a way that I'll never forget.
Jun 14, 2017, 8:28 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Great photos. I never got the chance to fly in a UA 747 in F, but that upper deck J was something special. Just such a private feeling. So smooth, great bins to put stuff in on the side, cockpit right there, etc. I will miss it for sure. I can see why they're getting rid of them (not as fuel efficient as the new 777's and 787, Y was a pretty terrible product in the 747, and mx issues), but it is still sad.
Jun 14, 2017, 8:35 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA1MM*GL/1K, AA, BnVy PlatL, HH Silver,
Posts: 681
I'll join the chorus of sad. but on a positive note, still remember taking my first -400 on LAX-SYD in 1991 and then my first of many trips through the NRT hub to Singapore in 1998. wow...100s of 747s filling seemingly every gate and more landing/taking off (all the UA, NW, ANA, JL) planes seemed to be 747s with just a few DC-10s here and there...it was truly an awesome sight!
definitely not luxury by today's standards, but the OPs sure were sweet rides forward of the main deck 4 doors
...yep 2 sections of F and 3 of C (granted the red Connesoir ones...including one I remember was among the first to go trans polar over Siberia (99 I think)
Definetly a sad end of an era for UA and the incorporated PA...think I did all 4 types UA operated (-100, -200, SP and -400).
I'd guess that at least the LH -8s will be around for another good number of years and that F cabin is an exceptional ride.
definitely not luxury by today's standards, but the OPs sure were sweet rides forward of the main deck 4 doors
...yep 2 sections of F and 3 of C (granted the red Connesoir ones...including one I remember was among the first to go trans polar over Siberia (99 I think)Definetly a sad end of an era for UA and the incorporated PA...think I did all 4 types UA operated (-100, -200, SP and -400).
I'd guess that at least the LH -8s will be around for another good number of years and that F cabin is an exceptional ride.