These Are The Three Remaining Boeing 747 Scheduled Passenger Operators

After more than 50 years, the very last Boeing 747 rolled off the production line at Everett on December 7, 2022. Atlas Air had the privilege of taking delivery of the very last unit, a 747-8 Freighter registered N863GT.

Dubbed the “Jumbo Jet”, the 747 revolutionized travel in many ways including significantly boosting the air travel industry globally, spurring on the development of other wide-bodies and providing excellent support to the air freight industry. However, the 747’s days were numbered as other twin-engine, high-capacity jets with just as much range and better fuel efficiency ate into its success.

This was very clear when the 747-8 variant was announced. Besides the number of Airbus A380s already in service, there were other smaller but competitive options including the Boeing 777, as well the newer and more fuel-efficient Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.

Regardless, the uniquely shaped humpback aircraft has won the hearts of many, including the pilots, crew members and most importantly, the passengers.

Even though it was inevitable that the 747 would eventually be phased out for something newer, the pandemic had a major impact, speeding up the retirement process, with less than a handful of the commercial passenger variants still in operation.

Fast forward to 2026, and there are only three remaining carriers which operate these giants on regularly scheduled routes. If you’re interested in flying one, there are only a few years left before these quad jets are phased out from passenger service.

Air China

Credit: Kiefer/Flickr | CC BY 2.0 Generic

Currently, Air China has a mixed 747 fleet, holding onto two older -400s and five -8is. The -400s are uses mainly for domestic operations while the -8is operate a mix of domestic and international flights. Officially, the airline operates seven 747-8is, but uses two for VIP transport.

If you’re looking for the long haul experience, you can connect from Beijing to cities like Los Angeles, New York and Frankfurt.

Here is the seating configuration of the two types.

Seating configuration

• 747-400: 10 first class seats, 42 business (24 in the upper deck and 18 below), and 292 economy.
• 747-8i: 12 first class seats, 54 business (30 in the upper deck and 24 below), 66 premium economy and 233 economy.

Korean Air

Credit: RON RAFFETY/Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 DE

Korean Air currently flies just four 747-8is, after the other five were sold to U.S. aerospace and defense company Sierra Nevada Corporation. Outside of South Korea, these 747s have been primarily serving two international route to Los Angeles and Honolulu.

Korean Air will hold on these these quad jets for the next few years, anticipating retirement some time in 2030 or 2031. This may change as their order of 40 Boeing 777-9s remains unfulfilled due to certification challenges pushing backing the approval date.

Seating configuration

• 747-8i: 6 first class seats, 48 business (22 in the upper deck and 26 below), and 314 economy.

Lufthansa

Credit: 11180Cuong/PxHere | CC0 1.0 Universal

Lufthansa has remained firmly committed to the 747, operating its entire fleet of 19 747-8is and eight 747-400s. The older -400s are expected to be replaced by newer Boeing 777-9s (if they are ever delivered on time). The German carrier is both the launch customer and the largest 747-8 operator, with all 19 of its -8is back in service following the pandemic.

These 747s operate a wide variety of routes across the United States, South America, Asia and South Africa.

Seating configuration

• 747-400: 67 business class seats (22 in the upper deck and 45 below), 32 premium economy, and 272 economy.
• 747-8i: 8 first class seats, 80 business (32 in the upper deck and 48 below), 32 premium economy, and 244 economy.

Now these are not the only 747s still in existence. For instance, Atlas Air operates five on a charter basis, while many more 747s live on in a freight capacity. I’m sure we’ll see some of the above also being converted to freighter or being sold off for VIP purposes.

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