Japan Airlines retires last 747 Classics

The JAL Group's last "Classic Jumbo Jet" took to the skies yesterday on its final flight, ending an era of the Boeing 747 Classic type of aircraft in the company's fleet.

The 747-300, operated by a 3-man flight crew, flew from Honolulu to Tokyo (Narita) and thereafter retired after 26 years of reliable service to the airline group.

In the mid-1960s, unprecedented development in technology and the availability of large-thrust engines led to the creation of the giant 747, beginning with the 747-100, the first in the 747 Classics series which also includes the -200 and -300 models. JAL first took delivery of a 747-100 in 1970, and was the launch customer of the 747-100SR in 1973.

For its ever-expanding international network at the time, JAL owned the largest fleet of 747 Classics in 1984, and from 1987 through to 1989, it held the record number of 65 such aircraft - a figure that still stands as the most number of Classics owned by any one airline at a time.

Decommissioning the Group's remaining 6 Classics - of which the earliest was delivered in November 1983, attests to the Group's steady progress towards downsizing its fleet and operating more fuel-efficient aircraft such as Boeing 777.

Special ceremonies were held yesterday to bring the curtains down on a long-standing service by the Classic Jumbo Jets in grand fashion. Flight JO073 was draped in a giant Hawaiian lei before departure at Honolulu Airport, where an elaborate ceremony was conducted.

Upon arrival in Tokyo (Narita), the aircraft was received at the gate by its designer - the "Father of the 747", Mr. Joseph F. "Joe" Sutter, JAL staff as well as members of the media. Mr. Sutter who led the development of what would become the world's first wide-body airliner and who is now a senior advisor to the Boeing Company talked about the birth of the 747.

To memorialize the role of the popular Classic's in the history of JAL, a sell-out commemorative flight organized by JAL Tours flew fans of the Classic Jumbo Jet from Tokyo (Haneda) to Shimojishima on a round-trip day tour on July 5, 2009. A total of 449 enthusiasts, members of the media and staff had the rare opportunity to go down memory lane, when cabin attendants who donned the 8 different uniforms in the history of JAL welcomed them onboard and served them during the flight.