747 lives on!!

Looks like UPS is helping keep the 747 alive with a big order and options.......


https://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=PressReleases&id=1477512150377-839

 

I am very happy to see that the new 747-8 has an active career and that it is not parked in storage condition somewhere in the desert.

It's my favourite commercial plane (B747 in general, specifically the 747-200)

Best

 

Awesome! Screw the A380. My favorite commercial plane also!

 

Hmmm. Maybe it's time to revive this thread.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/aviatorchat-com/379448-747-8-flight-report.html

 

I think some of them are already parked... straight from the factory.

 

Great news. Gives the USAF an even better excuse for the new Air Force One jets and will make parts easier to obtain.

 

Yes, unfortunately i know that. The irony is that the new Jumbo variant would be more fuel efficient than the A380 and other planes in it's category (if there are any).

Shame that there are some 747-8's that sitting in the desert..

 

I think Nippon Cargo is taking at least 2 more. Not sure when though.

 

NCA likes (needs) cargo planes that nose load to carry long cargo. What other plane does that?

 

None

 

I have to amend that. The ANT-225 has a nose loading door but there is only one ANT-225 and it isn't always available.

 

Didn't you have some sitting in the desert?

 

it is after all, a wonderful aircraft, despite its prominent portrayal in all the movies,,,every time theres a disaster or high jacking it's always the 747, I guess they need the space for filming,, the best jet Boeing ever made was the 707,,imo

 

Lufthansa flies new 747-8's and A380's. I've been on both.

My heart goes for the 747 but the A380 is one hell of a plane too.

I've flown over 2 million miles on 747s. I guess you would say I'm a loyal fan.

 

Speaking of 747's:

Yesterday was KLM's last 747(-400) flight to one of the worlds shortest and challenging runways, that of St. Maarten Airport. As of October 30 KLM flight 785 will start being operated by the much smaller Airbus 330.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoQ_NaMhJyg
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as you say, never had a problem with the 747 (despite the odd beautiful flight attendant who refused too date me )which I never got anywhere with, you have to admit they have a bad reputation,, thanks too the movies, the planes in trouble, the plane that sinks under the ocean,, it"s always a 747, always the 747, American built, so far, the future planes will be wind powered, all we have too doo is get up to 200mph and the wind power takes over after that, all of course you'll have to burn some fossil fuels to get to 200,,,, i'm sorry, I digress too much

 

In my 2 million miles I've had plenty of problems. So many I can't remember them all.

I had one with a leaky fuel tank that caused us to cancel
I had another with a cracked windscreen that also cancelled the flight
The AC is really poor on the tarmac
I've had many with various mechanical issues that delayed the flight. Most of the time they don't tell you.
Also the lavs and plumbing have a lot of problems.

United's biggest problem is the retrofitting of Wifi instead of inseat entertainment. It's simply ridiculous, impractical, and never works right. In fact the inflight entertainment system in older 747's is perhaps the worst in the industry.

But I'm still a big fan and the 747-8 is the best one ever made.

The A380 however is much quieter at take off and in flight, is bigger and roomier, has more overhead space per passenger, and has a nicer interior design.

Sorry -- but it's true.

 

Calgary is no good need a longer runway,, Vancouver is the only choice,, imagine the Captain of the A-380,,, were going to Calgary,,, Sir, with respect we have too land on Vancouver,,, after all it is the only runway there is that can handle this particular aircraft that being said the 747 is as big as we should get. who? wants too be on level #3 of a plane listening to escape procedures if things go wrong,,, the 747 is big enough,, imo

 

So does the An-124 which is smaller, but there are only a few of them.
And it 'kneels' to facilitate loading.

Saw one at DIA several years ago.

 

The CL 44 "Swing Tail" can carry, and has carried many, long loads.
Problem is that there is only one left and it hasn't flown in at least ten years. All the rest of them have been relegated to the scrap heap of history.

 

26 in operation, Boeing/SpaceX/other U.S. aerospace companies are big customers (Boeing uses them to move engines to Seattle).
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I did a return uk to aussy trip on an Emerites A380, some machine. Cabin seating and finish better than anything i had seen before.

 

The big money for the 747-8 is as a freighter. The A380 is not available and is pretty much unsuitable as a freighter due to the floor design.

I have seen the Lufthansa 747-8i cabins and they look pretty nice. You can't compare a 20 year old 747-400 cabin to a new A380 cabin.

The new 777 and A350 will kill the A380 and the pax 747-8. The longer Airbus refuses to acknowledge this the more they will spend keeping it in production.

 

Why?

 

Air freight market can change very quickly. Order a plane that won't be delivered for a couple years and when the time comes your business model no longer justifies it. So you park it and hope that someone wants to either buy or lease it.