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Another Airline Ends 747 Service to the US

May 07, 2019
2 min read
Qantas  747-400
Another Airline Ends 747 Service to the US
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There's one less airline flying to the United States with the Queen of the Skies. Starting December 4, Qantas will remove its Boeing 747 that operates the Sydney to San Francisco route and will replace it with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

This is currently the last 747 Qantas flies to the mainland US, after the airline replaced 747 service between Sydney and Los Angeles with Airbus A380 and 787 flights last December. While not published, Qantas has told TPG it will end 747 service from Sydney to Honolulu on August 29, 2019.

Qantas 747 flyover seen before the start of the 2015 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix on March 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chris Putnam / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

“The 747 has been the backbone of our international fleet for more than 40 years, so it will be the end of an era and the start of another when we farewell the Queen of the Skies from flying to mainland America," said Qantas International Acting CEO Naren Kumar.

Qantas says the the 787-9 will operate the daily flight between SFO and SYD and will complement the 4x weekly service between Melbourne and San Francisco. The aircraft features three cabins: with 42 seats in business, 28 seats in premium economy and 166 in coach.

It's been more than one year since the last US airline, Delta, retired its 747. Qantas plans on ending 747 service on international routes by the end of 2020.

If you still want to fly the iconic jet before it clocks out, check out our guide on how to use miles to fly to fly the 747.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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  • 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.
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  • $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.