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}
#301
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
I wonder who's filling those.
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Those opened about a week (or two) ago,. I reported up thread (if you have read all 2 million posts! LOL)
#303
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
Current seat map
#304
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
#305
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
#306
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 65
I'm still shaking as I type this.
I have been losing hope rapidly as the mileage auction has pretty much exceeded what I have in my account.
However, after an incredible, dramatic roller coaster the past 3 weeks, testing my patience, persistence, and sanity with an unbelievable twist of fate the past 12 hours...I am almost speechless to say I've defied all odds and I'm now confirmed in a seat on this flight!!!
Keeping a (very) long story short, I received an unexpected call from UA Corporate this morning in Chicago with follow-up calls from Houston (all in all, I think 4 total calls). I'll omit names of course and all of the lengthy details, feel free to PM me if you'd like the "full" story of how this played out today; it's a doozie. But, I am now indeed ticketed on this flight and truly couldn't be happier...I've been smiling ear to ear all day!
I'm currently in Row 61....like I said, I'd be ecstatic just to be in the middle seat of the last row! It does indeed seem like there are a few openings I can move in to...and it seems like Row 61 is behind the aft bulkhead so no windows at all? I kinda eyed 36C as an alternative. Any suggestions there maybe?
Again, thank you SO much to everyone in this thread who have offered help, advice, and overall support. I'll figure out something to wear to stand out on the flight. I would love to meet everyone! Being ultra-conservative, I am flying out to SFO on Sunday, 05 OCT (the specialist I talked to got a laugh out of that and doesn't blame me...seeing as I'm in a snowstorm at my home in DEN right now). I will be there the whole day of 06 OCT if anyone is around that early. And naturally, in the airport early the morning of the flight.
What better way to take my first and last United 747 flight? Coincidentally renewing Silver also this trip.
I cannot wait!!!^^^^
I have been losing hope rapidly as the mileage auction has pretty much exceeded what I have in my account.
However, after an incredible, dramatic roller coaster the past 3 weeks, testing my patience, persistence, and sanity with an unbelievable twist of fate the past 12 hours...I am almost speechless to say I've defied all odds and I'm now confirmed in a seat on this flight!!!
Keeping a (very) long story short, I received an unexpected call from UA Corporate this morning in Chicago with follow-up calls from Houston (all in all, I think 4 total calls). I'll omit names of course and all of the lengthy details, feel free to PM me if you'd like the "full" story of how this played out today; it's a doozie. But, I am now indeed ticketed on this flight and truly couldn't be happier...I've been smiling ear to ear all day!
I'm currently in Row 61....like I said, I'd be ecstatic just to be in the middle seat of the last row! It does indeed seem like there are a few openings I can move in to...and it seems like Row 61 is behind the aft bulkhead so no windows at all? I kinda eyed 36C as an alternative. Any suggestions there maybe?
Again, thank you SO much to everyone in this thread who have offered help, advice, and overall support. I'll figure out something to wear to stand out on the flight. I would love to meet everyone! Being ultra-conservative, I am flying out to SFO on Sunday, 05 OCT (the specialist I talked to got a laugh out of that and doesn't blame me...seeing as I'm in a snowstorm at my home in DEN right now). I will be there the whole day of 06 OCT if anyone is around that early. And naturally, in the airport early the morning of the flight.
What better way to take my first and last United 747 flight? Coincidentally renewing Silver also this trip.
I cannot wait!!!^^^^
#307
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
Current seat map:
#308
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
One has to wonder what's going on, and whether this means that most of the seats are, for instance, going to employees, since I can't imagine that the people who purchased tickets haven't reserved seat assignments.
I don't have any realistic hope of it clearing, but I put a GPU request in for an upgrade to C. If this were a normal flight and I saw a seat map like this, I'd think maybe I had a shot.
I don't have any realistic hope of it clearing, but I put a GPU request in for an upgrade to C. If this were a normal flight and I saw a seat map like this, I'd think maybe I had a shot.
#309
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 24
Seat map from two days ago had way less seats available. Now this new map shows lots of economy class seats. Wonder what has happened?
#310
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Seat map once again looks completely full.
#311
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
@360worldatlas, here it is as of a a minute ago:
#312
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: COS/DEN
Programs: UA 1P (w/ no expectations whatsoever); Marriott Gold; Hilton Silver; Hertz Pres
Posts: 693
CaptKornDog! I'm so excited for you. I've been too busy to pop in much but when I saw your name on the wiki I had to go search for the post containing your good news. I'll look for you, for sure! And would love to join whatever meetups we have. I'm returning to ORD on the 7:00-ish flight the next morning.
One typo in my original message. I'm flying in the afternoon of 05 NOV, and will staying at the SFO Marriott Waterfront on 06 NOV (barely had enough points but better than spending $700/night). Think my original message said OCT....so as elated and excited as I am, I won't be there 2-3 full weeks early
I believe there's a small spotters park next to the Marriott and some restaurants in the hotel itself. May be at least a good rally point to start or enjoy cocktails/dinner.
On the HNL side, completely open to ideas - or simply going with the flow after the festivities end.
Last edited by CaptKornDog; Oct 21, 2017 at 11:00 am
#313
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 65
Sounds greatt, @CaptKornDog. I'm staying in San Bruno Oct 6 (much cheaper) so although there is a Bart station nearby I don't know yet whetherI'll come into the city that night. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Certainly a go with the flow after HNL festivities end sounds exciting. Interesting idea about the "insurance" of flying into SFO on the 5th. I may SDC to do that and if I do I'll let you know because then I'd have a whole day to hang out.
#314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,502
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
So, what kind a SWAG should be expect? Do you think the new amenity kit might be available to all pax? Commemorative coins? Certificates?