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See a Just-Retired Qantas Boeing 747 at an Airplane Recycling Center

June 25, 2019
•
3 min read
Tupelo Airplane Recycling_Photo by Ryan Patterson
See a Just-Retired Qantas Boeing 747 at an Airplane Recycling Center
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While British Airways is celebrating the final few years of its 747 fleet with a recent refresh, many carriers have begun retiring their 747s. Others, like Delta and United, have completed the process altogether.

Australia's flag carrier Qantas continues to fly its Queen of the Skies to the mainland US, with nonstop service between Sydney (SYD) and San Francisco (SFO). Once that flight is replaced with a 787-9 Dreamliner in December, though, Qantas will no longer operate the 747 on North American routes — with the exception of occasional retirement flights, perhaps.

Qantas already has begun the process of retiring its existing 747-400s, sending them either to the California desert or directly to a recycling facility in Tupelo, Mississippi (TUP). And earlier this month, VH-OEB, the most-recent Qantas 747 to make its way to Tupelo, was officially retired after flying one final group of passengers from Sydney to SFO.

Flight map courtesy of FlightAware.

TPG contributor Ryan Patterson was able to follow this retirement from the aircraft's final week of service all the way through to the early stages of recycling in Mississippi.

Ryan flew VH-OEB from Sydney to San Francisco on May 27, just a few days before its final passenger flight.

There's no question that you'll have a better passenger experience on the airline's Dreamliners, though the 747 clearly has some serious aviation geek appeal.

Ryan described the in-flight entertainment as "ancient" — there were only three channels to choose from, with flight attendants required to change discs in order to play a different movie.

Fast forward just a few days, and this same 747 was being dismantled in the United States.

VH-OEB flew passengers for 26 years, entering service with Asiana in 1993 before making its way to Qantas in 1998.

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Ultimately, the aircraft was sold to General Electric, which purchased the plane for its engines.

With the engines removed, a new owner, Universal Asset Management in Tupelo, began the process of disassembly and recycling.

Qantas sold the aircraft with the interiors intact, including the first-class cabin seen below.

Business-class seats remain as well. Universal Asset Management does sell seats from time to time — most recently from a United 747 — so you can consider sending an email to media@uaminc.com if you're interested in purchasing some for yourself.

Tupelo Airplane Recycling_Photo by Ryan Patterson

But the clock is ticking if you're hoping to catch this product in the air. Qantas is expected to end 747-400 service to Honolulu (HNL) on Aug. 29, followed by San Francisco on Dec. 4. Qantas will pull the Queen of the Skies from all international routes by the end of 2020.

All photos by Ryan Patterson for The Points Guy.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.