{"id":116764,"date":"2025-10-12T22:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T16:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=116764"},"modified":"2025-10-12T21:49:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T16:19:19","slug":"boeing-ended-747-production-in-2023-but-over-300-still-flying-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/12\/boeing-ended-747-production-in-2023-but-over-300-still-flying-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing Ended 747 Production in 2023 But Over 300 Still Flying in the World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SEATTLE-<\/strong> Boeing<\/a> ended production of its iconic 747 in early 2023, closing a historic chapter in global aviation. Once the queen of the skies, the four-engine widebody has become a rarer sight, but not an extinct one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of late 2025, over 300 Boeing 747s remain in active service worldwide. While most now fly cargo missions, a handful still carry passengers for airlines like Lufthansa (LH)<\/a>, Korean Air (KE), and Air China (CA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boeing
Photo- Kiefer. from Frankfurt, Germany; Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing 747 Active Fleet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Boeing stopped building the 747 in 2023, it marked the end of more than five decades of production. Yet, the aircraft\u2019s global footprint endures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to data from Planespotters.net, around 334 Boeing 747 airframes<\/strong> remain listed as active, with roughly 46 more parked<\/strong> that could return to service. Combining both gives nearly 400 functional aircraft<\/strong>\u2014a surprising number for a jet whose passenger prime ended years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those parked are 747-8Fs<\/strong> belonging to Silkway West (ZP)<\/strong>, Atlas Air (5Y)<\/strong>, and UPS (5X)<\/strong>. Others have unique futures: four ex\u2013Korean Air KE)<\/strong> 747-8s are being modified by Sierra Nevada Corporation<\/strong> to serve as U.S. Air Force<\/strong> command posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two additional 747-8s originally ordered by Transaero<\/strong> will soon become the next VC-25B presidential aircraft<\/strong>, better known as Air Force One<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boeing
Photo: By John Taggart from Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex – 2009 LHR PHOTOS27022009 011, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=31810927<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Operators Still Flying the 747<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The number of airlines flying the 747 for passengers has dropped sharply over the last decade. British Airways (BA)<\/strong>, KLM (KL)<\/strong>, Qantas (QF)<\/strong>, and Air France (AF)<\/strong> have all retired theirs. In the U.S., Delta (DL)<\/strong> and United (UA)<\/strong> bid farewell to their jumbos back in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Lufthansa (LH)<\/strong> leads the remaining pack with 27 active aircraft<\/strong>\u201419 of the 747-8 variant and eight 747-400s. The airline continues to rely on them due to delivery delays<\/strong> of new long-haul models like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner<\/strong>, 777X<\/strong>, and Airbus A350<\/strong>. The German carrier plans to keep its 747-8s well into the 2030s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Korean Air (IATA: KE)<\/strong> still operates 16 Boeing 747s<\/strong>, including five 747-8Is used for passengers. Air China (IATA: CA)<\/strong> has nine in its fleet\u2014two 747-400s and five 747-8Is configured for passenger service, while the remaining two serve VIP transport roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rossiya Airlines (FV)<\/strong> reactivated two 747-400s in 2024 due to sanctions that limited access to Western aircraft. Both jets originally belonged to Transaero<\/strong>, later transferred to Aeroflot (IATA: SU)<\/strong> before finding their way to Rossiya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By tjdarmstadt – IMG_6616.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=61529602<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where the 747 Still Flies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lufthansa continues to deploy its 747 fleet across major intercontinental routes. The airline operates more than 1,000 monthly flights<\/strong> on the jumbo, serving cities such as Toronto (YYZ)<\/strong>, Singapore (SIN)<\/strong>, Los Angeles (LAX)<\/strong>, Johannesburg (JNB)<\/strong>, and Tokyo Haneda (HND)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Korean Air<\/a><\/strong> runs around 150 flights per month<\/strong>, including 42 flights<\/strong> on its Seoul (ICN)\u2013Los Angeles (LAX) route and regular services to London Heathrow (LHR)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air China<\/strong>, meanwhile, schedules more than 300 monthly flights<\/strong> with the 747, primarily on dense domestic routes like Beijing (PEK)\u2013Guangzhou (CAN)<\/strong> and Beijing (PEK)\u2013Shanghai (PVG)<\/strong>. It also operates long-haul services to New York (JFK)<\/strong> and Washington Dulles (IAD)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Atlas
Photo: By Colin Brown Photography – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/145232442@N02\/48417771212\/, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=81315011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cargo Operators Keep the Type Alive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freight remains the 747\u2019s stronghold. Cirium<\/strong> data shows freighter operators conduct over 9,600 flights monthly<\/strong> with the type. Airlines like Cargolux (CV)<\/strong>, Nippon Cargo Airlines (KZ)<\/strong>, Cathay Pacific (CX)<\/strong>, and UPS (5X)<\/strong> continue to depend on the jumbo for its payload capacity and range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atlas Air (5Y)<\/strong> remains one of the largest 747 operators with 65 aircraft<\/strong>, including 48 747-400s and 17 747-8Fs. UPS<\/strong> flies 43 747s<\/strong>, while Kalitta Air (K4)<\/strong> maintains a fleet of 22 747-400Fs<\/strong>. Cargolux<\/strong> operates 29<\/strong> freighters, and Cathay Pacific<\/strong> continues with 20 active units<\/strong>, all freighters. Nippon Cargo Airlines<\/strong> has eight 747-8Fs<\/strong> in active use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments also continue to rely on the type for VIP transport<\/strong>, including the United States<\/strong>, Japan<\/strong>, and Saudi Arabia<\/strong>, ensuring the 747\u2019s distinctive hump remains visible in skies around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cathay
Photo: Christian Junker | Photography | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Lasting Legacy in Aviation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Boeing 747 reshaped air travel when it entered service over five decades ago. It made long-haul flying accessible and connected major hubs across continents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, it stands as a symbol of aviation\u2019s golden age\u2014still operating, though in fewer numbers, in a world shifting toward more fuel-efficient twinjets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jumbo\u2019s endurance highlights its engineering strength and historical importance. Even as modern aircraft take over global skies, the 747\u2019s legacy continues, proving that icons never truly disappear\u2014they just evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Largest Air Forces in the World by Boeing Aircraft in 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>