Why The US Airlines Retired Their Boeing 747s

In November 2017, United Airlines flew their last flight using a Boeing 747. Just a month later, the final commercial flight of a Delta Air Lines 747 arrived from Seoul as flight 158. It later embarked on a farewell tour, stopping in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles according to Quartz. With a few major airlines still operating the Boeing 747, why were US Airlines among the first to retire their “Queen of the Skies”?

Spotlight

Air Line Pilots Association

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world, representing more than 59,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. For more information, visit http://www.alpa.org. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress.

OTHER VIDEOS

Boeing supplier halts work as union votes to strike

video | June 23, 2023

Spirit AeroSystems plans to halt work at a Wichita plant as unionized employees vote to strike. A prolonged work stoppage eventually could force planemakers to slow or stop jetliner assembly at a time when both Airbus and Boeing are ramping up production....

Watch Now

Uh Oh: The Airbus A321XLR's Gamechanging Range Looks Like It Will Be Reduced

video | August 1, 2023

The range of the Airbus A321XLR could be reduced up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) following an agreement between Airbus and European regulators on design safeguards needed to achieve certification. Let’s look at the details of this disappointing news in today’s video....

Watch Now

El Al Israel Airlines Eyes Airbus Order

video | August 15, 2023

El Al Israel Airlines is closing on a new narrowbody deal with Airbus for their A321neo. However, they still have proposals from Boeing for the 737 MAX. Which way will the company eventually go, and can Airbus organise a contract before Boeing offers a more attractive deal?...

Watch Now

Spirit Airlines adds new routes to DFW airport

video | February 18, 2023

Spirit announced Thursday it will launch a daily non-stop flight from San José Mineta International Airport to DFW starting June 7...

Watch Now

Spotlight

Air Line Pilots Association

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world, representing more than 59,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. For more information, visit http://www.alpa.org. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress.

Events