Qantas prepares for Boeing 747 ‘Queen of the skies’ retirements 

Qantas has begun the process of retiring its five remaining 747-400 jumbo aircraft, as the carrier prepares to take delivery of its fleet of new 787s.

The first 747 a -200 series was delivered back in 1971 and the current 747-400 fleet which was re-fitted to improve passenger comfort was first delivered in 1989. The average age of the remaining aircraft is around 15 years with most being delivered in 1999-2003.

The airline said that parts have started to arrive in Seattle for its first Dreamliner aircraft, with delivery set to be ready ‘in a couple of months’. Qantas has eight 787-9s on order, and ‘to make room’ the carrier is retiring five of its 747-400 jumbos, starting with VH-OJM this week.

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