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Will This Be the Last Passenger 747 Ever Delivered?

Aug. 01, 2017
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3 min read
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Will This Be the Last Passenger 747 Ever Delivered?
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In 1968, the first Boeing 747 rolled out of the hangar to gasps. The gigantic "jumbo jet" was nothing like any passenger jet that came before it. Now, just shy of 50 years later, another chapter in the 747 era is coming to a close.

A couple of weeks ago, we shared with you the roll out of the last outstanding passenger 747 order. Yesterday, Jennifer Schuld provided us stunning photos of the takeoff this Korean Air 747-8 headed to Seoul (ICN) on its delivery flight — potentially the last ever passenger 747 delivered for commercial aviation:

There remains just one last passenger 747 on Boeing's order books: a March 2, 2017 order from "Unidentified Customer(s)." Unless Boeing can convince another carrier to order the 747, this unknown buyer will have the distinction of getting the last-ever produced passenger 747.

If you're still interested in flying the Queen of the Skies, there aren't many more options left from US carriers. United just operated what some assume will be the last domestic 747 flight. Delta and United both plan to fully phase out their 747s by the end of the year.

However, foreign carriers are still flying plenty of 747s. British Airways just refreshed 18 of its newer 747-400s, planning to milk another decade out of these aging birds. While BA's Club World business class hard product isn't anything special, I'd still recommend grabbing a seat upstairs on a BA 747.

The upper-deck business class on a Lufthansa 747-8. Image by JT Genter

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But, you don't have to rely on an old 747-400 to get your Jumbo Jet fix. There's a newer, much better version of the Queen of the Skies. However, just three airlines — Air China, Korean Air and Lufthansa — operate this new 747-8. Of the two flights I've had on the "748," I can definitely recommend the Lufthansa business-class upper deck (review coming soon!) over Air China economy.

While it's a passenger favorite, unfortunately economics is dooming the future of the 747. No matter how much General Electric improves the efficiency of the 747 engines, the simple fact is that a four-engined aircraft can't compete with the fuel efficiency of twin-engined long-haul planes. With engines as reliable as ever, there's no need to spread out engine power across more engines in case of failure. While fuel prices are relatively low right now, airlines are ever-wary of what's to come in the future and are continuing to order fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft, instead.

So, while the end of this era is understandable, it's certainly a sad day for us AvGeeks. And hopefully we'll be able to enjoy a couple more decades of life out of the few dozen 747-8 ordered by Air China, Korean Air and Lufthansa.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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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

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 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.