Last edit by: expert7700
News Release Issued: September 18, 2017 (3:17pm EDT)
"Friend Ship" Will Recreate the Journey of the First United 747 Flight from 1970
United's final international 747 flight from Seoul to San Francisco departs October 29
CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of United Airlines retiring the Boeing 747 from its fleet, United flight 747, on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from San Francisco to Honolulu will be the airline's farewell flight to the 747 fleet.
This journey will serve as the ultimate throwback for customers, employees and invited guests as it recreates the first 747 flight operated by United in 1970. From a 1970s-inspired menu to retro uniforms for flight attendants to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. The original United 747 aircraft that first made this journey from San Francisco to Honolulu was named the "Friend Ship," the same name bestowed on this farewell flight.
Seats on this special, one-way trip, United flight 747, are available for purchase now at united.com or through the United app. The seats in the upper deck will not be sold, giving all guests the opportunity to spend time in this iconic space.
Customers seated in United Polaris first class and United Polaris business class will be entered into a drawing that will take place at the gate prior to boarding for an opportunity to occupy one of a select number of seats in the upper deck during the flight.
The journey will begin with a gate celebration at 9 a.m. local time at San Francisco International Airport, featuring a Boeing 747 gallery, remarks from United employees and executives, as well as refreshments. The flight will depart San Francisco International Airport at 11 a.m. local time, landing at Honolulu International Airport at 2:45 p.m. local time. Upon landing in Honolulu, local employees will welcome the aircraft with final festivities to close out the historic day. Customers and fans of the Queen of the Skies are encouraged to use the #UA747Farewell hashtag in social media posts.
United and the Boeing 747 through the Years
April 13, 1966: Boeing announces it will build a 490-passenger 747 transport. Construction is set to begin in June on a new plant in Everett, Washington.
January 3, 1967: The first production workers for the 747 program arrive in Everett. The 50,000 who would produce the world's largest civilian airplane were known as The Incredibles, and they earned the label by bringing the Jumbo Jet dream to reality in only 16 months.
September 30, 1968: The first Boeing 747-100, City of Everett, is rolled out at their Washington plant, painted with the insignias of the 27 airlines that had already ordered the aircraft including United.
February 9, 1969: The Boeing 747-100 makes its first flight.
January 21, 1970: The Boeing 747 makes its first commercial flight from New York to London for Pan American World Airways.
June 26, 1970: Continental Airlines becomes one of the first carriers to put the Boeing 747 into U.S. domestic service, flying from Chicago to Los Angeles and onward to Honolulu.
June 26, 1970: United Airlines receives its first Boeing 747-100 complete with a christening ceremony fit for a luxury liner.
July 23, 1970: United makes its first Boeing 747 commercial flight, with a trip from San Francisco to Honolulu.
January 1977: A modified Boeing 747-100 is delivered to NASA to serve as a carrier vehicle for the Space Shuttle.
April 22, 1985: United announces its plan to acquire Pan Am's Pacific routes, as well as 11 Boeing 747SP planes. The 747SPs feature a 48-foot-shorter body and fly higher, faster, and farther than standard 747 models.
January 29-30, 1988: Friendship One, a Boeing 747SP owned by United Airlines, sets the around-the-world air speed record of 36 hours, 54 minutes, and 15 seconds. This special flight raises $500,000 for children's charities through the Friendship Foundation. Tickets cost a minimum of $5,000, and special guest passengers included astronaut Neil Armstrong, famed test pilots Bob Hoover and Lieutenant General Laurence C. Craigie, and Moya Lear, the widow of Lear Jet founder Bill Lear.
June, 1989: United Airlines receives their first Boeing 747-400 which provides increased range.
August 23, 1990: The first of two modified Boeing 747-200Bs is delivered to the Air Force for presidential transport. Better known as Air Force One, these planes still serve the president today, having replaced the Boeing 707-320Bs that had served as the presidential aircraft for almost 30 years.
September 1996: A 747SP previously flown by United is transformed into NASA's SOFIA, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, which carries a 17-ton, 8-foot-wide infrared telescope mounted behind an enormous sliding door.
June 28, 2014: Boeing delivers the 1,500th 747 to come off the production line. The 747 aircraft is the world's first wide-body airplane in history to reach the 1,500 production units milestone.
January 11, 2017: United announces that it will retire the Boeing 747-400 fleet in the last quarter of 2017.
July 28, 2017: United schedules a special domestic flight from Chicago O'Hare to San Francisco to allow more people to say farewell to the Queen of the Skies.
October 29, 2017: United flies its last international 747 flight from Seoul to San Francisco.
November 7, 2017: United celebrates the retirement of the Boeing 747 with a fitting full-circle moment. A special retro event sees the aircraft flying from San Francisco to Honolulu—a nod to its first-ever flight back in 1970.
Flight Status Link
(May require multiple attempts to load; close and re-click if website errors.)
FT Handle -- seat (optional)
ORD4R - 2A
tcdtcd and son - 450pm return to ORD - 2K/3K
kevanyalowitz - 3H (will trade for 1A/K!)
jdivenere - 4A
UA1flyer - 4C
CO FF - 6K (return to LAX on HA2 @ 3:45pm or UA 534 @ 9:45pm)
ctownflyer - 7A
JSpira - 9K
EWR764 - 19G - return @ 420pm to EWR UA62
ChiTownMuggle - 20D
Ruhr - 20H
pushmyredbutton - 20K
greg99 - 21D
BThumme - 22A - return @ 945pm to LAX
goldelite8 - 22G
Trijet1011 - 24A
MRY Flyer +1 - 24 H&J
Cybertronic - 25H
Sykes - 33C
ZRS70 - 33H
eklapper - 34A
plc44 - 34K
Pat89339 - 35C
CaptKornDog - 36C
eap+1 - 40HK
ual763 - 51k
expert7700 - 36K
Seatmap below shows FTers in red. Valid as of 11/6.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rrwq0gdcdb...FTers.jpg?dl=0
SCROLL DOWN FOR LIST OF FLYERTALK MEMBERS ON THIS FLIGHT
"Friend Ship" Will Recreate the Journey of the First United 747 Flight from 1970
United's final international 747 flight from Seoul to San Francisco departs October 29
CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of United Airlines retiring the Boeing 747 from its fleet, United flight 747, on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from San Francisco to Honolulu will be the airline's farewell flight to the 747 fleet.
This journey will serve as the ultimate throwback for customers, employees and invited guests as it recreates the first 747 flight operated by United in 1970. From a 1970s-inspired menu to retro uniforms for flight attendants to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. The original United 747 aircraft that first made this journey from San Francisco to Honolulu was named the "Friend Ship," the same name bestowed on this farewell flight.
Seats on this special, one-way trip, United flight 747, are available for purchase now at united.com or through the United app. The seats in the upper deck will not be sold, giving all guests the opportunity to spend time in this iconic space.
Customers seated in United Polaris first class and United Polaris business class will be entered into a drawing that will take place at the gate prior to boarding for an opportunity to occupy one of a select number of seats in the upper deck during the flight.
The journey will begin with a gate celebration at 9 a.m. local time at San Francisco International Airport, featuring a Boeing 747 gallery, remarks from United employees and executives, as well as refreshments. The flight will depart San Francisco International Airport at 11 a.m. local time, landing at Honolulu International Airport at 2:45 p.m. local time. Upon landing in Honolulu, local employees will welcome the aircraft with final festivities to close out the historic day. Customers and fans of the Queen of the Skies are encouraged to use the #UA747Farewell hashtag in social media posts.
United and the Boeing 747 through the Years
April 13, 1966: Boeing announces it will build a 490-passenger 747 transport. Construction is set to begin in June on a new plant in Everett, Washington.
January 3, 1967: The first production workers for the 747 program arrive in Everett. The 50,000 who would produce the world's largest civilian airplane were known as The Incredibles, and they earned the label by bringing the Jumbo Jet dream to reality in only 16 months.
September 30, 1968: The first Boeing 747-100, City of Everett, is rolled out at their Washington plant, painted with the insignias of the 27 airlines that had already ordered the aircraft including United.
February 9, 1969: The Boeing 747-100 makes its first flight.
January 21, 1970: The Boeing 747 makes its first commercial flight from New York to London for Pan American World Airways.
June 26, 1970: Continental Airlines becomes one of the first carriers to put the Boeing 747 into U.S. domestic service, flying from Chicago to Los Angeles and onward to Honolulu.
June 26, 1970: United Airlines receives its first Boeing 747-100 complete with a christening ceremony fit for a luxury liner.
July 23, 1970: United makes its first Boeing 747 commercial flight, with a trip from San Francisco to Honolulu.
January 1977: A modified Boeing 747-100 is delivered to NASA to serve as a carrier vehicle for the Space Shuttle.
April 22, 1985: United announces its plan to acquire Pan Am's Pacific routes, as well as 11 Boeing 747SP planes. The 747SPs feature a 48-foot-shorter body and fly higher, faster, and farther than standard 747 models.
January 29-30, 1988: Friendship One, a Boeing 747SP owned by United Airlines, sets the around-the-world air speed record of 36 hours, 54 minutes, and 15 seconds. This special flight raises $500,000 for children's charities through the Friendship Foundation. Tickets cost a minimum of $5,000, and special guest passengers included astronaut Neil Armstrong, famed test pilots Bob Hoover and Lieutenant General Laurence C. Craigie, and Moya Lear, the widow of Lear Jet founder Bill Lear.
June, 1989: United Airlines receives their first Boeing 747-400 which provides increased range.
August 23, 1990: The first of two modified Boeing 747-200Bs is delivered to the Air Force for presidential transport. Better known as Air Force One, these planes still serve the president today, having replaced the Boeing 707-320Bs that had served as the presidential aircraft for almost 30 years.
September 1996: A 747SP previously flown by United is transformed into NASA's SOFIA, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, which carries a 17-ton, 8-foot-wide infrared telescope mounted behind an enormous sliding door.
June 28, 2014: Boeing delivers the 1,500th 747 to come off the production line. The 747 aircraft is the world's first wide-body airplane in history to reach the 1,500 production units milestone.
January 11, 2017: United announces that it will retire the Boeing 747-400 fleet in the last quarter of 2017.
July 28, 2017: United schedules a special domestic flight from Chicago O'Hare to San Francisco to allow more people to say farewell to the Queen of the Skies.
October 29, 2017: United flies its last international 747 flight from Seoul to San Francisco.
November 7, 2017: United celebrates the retirement of the Boeing 747 with a fitting full-circle moment. A special retro event sees the aircraft flying from San Francisco to Honolulu—a nod to its first-ever flight back in 1970.
(May require multiple attempts to load; close and re-click if website errors.)
ARE YOU ON THIS FINAL 747 FLIGHT?
FT Handle -- seat (optional)
ORD4R - 2A
tcdtcd and son - 450pm return to ORD - 2K/3K
kevanyalowitz - 3H (will trade for 1A/K!)
jdivenere - 4A
UA1flyer - 4C
CO FF - 6K (return to LAX on HA2 @ 3:45pm or UA 534 @ 9:45pm)
ctownflyer - 7A
JSpira - 9K
EWR764 - 19G - return @ 420pm to EWR UA62
ChiTownMuggle - 20D
Ruhr - 20H
pushmyredbutton - 20K
greg99 - 21D
BThumme - 22A - return @ 945pm to LAX
goldelite8 - 22G
Trijet1011 - 24A
MRY Flyer +1 - 24 H&J
Cybertronic - 25H
Sykes - 33C
ZRS70 - 33H
eklapper - 34A
plc44 - 34K
Pat89339 - 35C
CaptKornDog - 36C
eap+1 - 40HK
ual763 - 51k
expert7700 - 36K
Seatmap below shows FTers in red. Valid as of 11/6.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rrwq0gdcdb...FTers.jpg?dl=0
Official: Final United Boeing 747 Flight Was SFO-HNL on 7 Nov 2017 {SOLD OUT}
#196
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: COS/DEN
Programs: UA 1P (w/ no expectations whatsoever); Marriott Gold; Hilton Silver; Hertz Pres
Posts: 693
Anyone have waitlist updates? Just got another rejection message from UA on any help or ideas, this time they said it was against policy to discuss numbers on a waitlist; just that it's "closely monitored" daily.
And, as I feared, the auction is closely approaching what I'd be able to afford for miles (i'd be willing to dump all of them too). Even if I purchased the maximum number of miles, I'm likely going to come up short.
And, as I feared, the auction is closely approaching what I'd be able to afford for miles (i'd be willing to dump all of them too). Even if I purchased the maximum number of miles, I'm likely going to come up short.
Last edited by CaptKornDog; Sep 27, 2017 at 3:43 pm
#198
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,198
wouldn't the auction winner want to be the LAST to board a UA747, ever?
First to board the last flight doesn't have the same ring to it....
It'll be interesting if they are even allowed to board them first. Does UA have to board preboard passengers first by law? I know that's what Southwest does. "medical" preboard trumps the highest paid "business select" passengers.
First to board the last flight doesn't have the same ring to it....
It'll be interesting if they are even allowed to board them first. Does UA have to board preboard passengers first by law? I know that's what Southwest does. "medical" preboard trumps the highest paid "business select" passengers.
#199
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
#200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Flight arrives at 245. Would it be too ambitious to get a 345 return to LAX on Hawaiian Airlines?
#201
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
I would not personally expect this flight to be on time, with the ceremonies they have planned. And that's even before considering weather at SFO or the possibility of MX.
#203
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
MCT at SFO for a UA-HA transfer is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Of course, they're not really anticipating handling connecting SFO-HNL-LAX passengers.
I would not personally expect this flight to be on time, with the ceremonies they have planned. And that's even before considering weather at SFO or the possibility of MX.
I would not personally expect this flight to be on time, with the ceremonies they have planned. And that's even before considering weather at SFO or the possibility of MX.
#204
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
United planning 2-hour celebration flights departing and arriving in same city, along with open-house tour.
SFO - 12 Oct
LAX - 16 & 17 Oct
IAH - 18 Oct
IAD - 19 Oct
EWR - 24 Oct
ORD - 25 Oct
DEN - 26 Oct
Currently, it's only open for United employees to enter into a drawing to win a seat, but be on he lookout, some seats will probably open up for the public before too long. Keep checking!
SFO - 12 Oct
LAX - 16 & 17 Oct
IAH - 18 Oct
IAD - 19 Oct
EWR - 24 Oct
ORD - 25 Oct
DEN - 26 Oct
Currently, it's only open for United employees to enter into a drawing to win a seat, but be on he lookout, some seats will probably open up for the public before too long. Keep checking!
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
MCT at SFO for a UA-HA transfer is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Of course, they're not really anticipating handling connecting SFO-HNL-LAX passengers.
I would not personally expect this flight to be on time, with the ceremonies they have planned. And that's even before considering weather at SFO or the possibility of MX.
I would not personally expect this flight to be on time, with the ceremonies they have planned. And that's even before considering weather at SFO or the possibility of MX.
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,510
(Probably belongs in the "Biggest Whopper" thread, though.)
#207
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Oh? Earlier this month I specifically heard a GA at IAD tell a Group 1 passenger who was trying to get in with the "passengers needing a little bit more time to get down the jetway" crowd that the airline could be fined $10,000 if they didn't board the disabled before other pax.
(Probably belongs in the "Biggest Whopper" thread, though.)
(Probably belongs in the "Biggest Whopper" thread, though.)
#208
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
"Attention passengers in the boarding area, this flight is currently oversold! If you can be a little flexible in your plans we are offering a $200 voucher to take a flight two hours later"
Reading about how you could have booked it through NZ, I wonder if there's other exploits available or if UA could really manage to oversell this flight. In thinking about what it would take for me to volunteer to miss this, it would have to be lifetime GS status (but that would never happen).
#209
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 127
Anyone clear the waitlist in the past week or so? I have a suspicion RM/IM might be managing inventory manually on this one. Given the gap we all know exists between the release of inventory and an upgrade/waitlist sweep, it would make sense they might keep inventory artificially zeroed out in order to give them an opportunity to manually clear the waitlist to prevent sniping.
If anyone has cleared, it might be helpful to know your status, fare class and approximate time of request. I’m trying to get an idea if we’re talking about 100’s of people on a waitlist or 1,000’s
If anyone has cleared, it might be helpful to know your status, fare class and approximate time of request. I’m trying to get an idea if we’re talking about 100’s of people on a waitlist or 1,000’s
#210
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: COS/DEN
Programs: UA 1P (w/ no expectations whatsoever); Marriott Gold; Hilton Silver; Hertz Pres
Posts: 693
Received another rejection email for help. I think I'm truly running out of ideas.... just short of offering to buy someone's ticket flat out (I.e. Pay the fare and change fee), or driving to DEN and talking with an agent face to face (thought I realize that'll probably be just a waste of 70 miles of driving).
Have essentially tried the following:
-Hawking united.com if anything else comes open for sale
-Calling the Premier Desk more times than I care to admit
-Messaged their Facebook team multiple times
-Created a Twitter account (something I thought I'd never do), to message that team
-Tried working through the small handful of connections I have with UA pilots and dispatchers
-Emailed 3 popular travel blogger sites to see if they had information or suggestions/connections
-Wrote emails to their Contact Center management (from the addresses I found at: http://www.elliott.org/company-conta...ited-airlines/)
-Tried searching through Air New Zealand also to no avail
-Reached out to the Visa Signature Concierge Desk
-Expect I'll be out of the running in the mileage auction within the next 24 hours or so
-Mailed 8 letters to assorted Customer Service and Sales managers and directors in Chicago
If ANYone has ANY idea or suggestions that could help me out - either actually getting a single ticket or just information - I would be most appreciative beyond words.
Have essentially tried the following:
-Hawking united.com if anything else comes open for sale
-Calling the Premier Desk more times than I care to admit
-Messaged their Facebook team multiple times
-Created a Twitter account (something I thought I'd never do), to message that team
-Tried working through the small handful of connections I have with UA pilots and dispatchers
-Emailed 3 popular travel blogger sites to see if they had information or suggestions/connections
-Wrote emails to their Contact Center management (from the addresses I found at: http://www.elliott.org/company-conta...ited-airlines/)
-Tried searching through Air New Zealand also to no avail
-Reached out to the Visa Signature Concierge Desk
-Expect I'll be out of the running in the mileage auction within the next 24 hours or so
-Mailed 8 letters to assorted Customer Service and Sales managers and directors in Chicago
If ANYone has ANY idea or suggestions that could help me out - either actually getting a single ticket or just information - I would be most appreciative beyond words.