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Fastest finger first: Last Qantas 747 flight on sale Wednesday 12pm

written by Adam Thorn | July 7, 2020

The Qantas 747 was in Adelaide operating special one-off domestic flights, and and an Antarctic scenic flight. Qantas has scheduled domestic Boeing 747 services to major cities all over Australia, to celebrate the aircraft’s retirement. Adelaide’s 747 services were operated by 2003 built B747-438(ER) VH-OEH (Joe Hicks)

Qantas has announced the program of events to farewell its last remaining Boeing 747 and provide Australians with an opportunity to say goodbye to the Queen of the Skies ahead of its retirement.

The airline will operate three one-hour “farewell jumbo joy flights” departing from Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane, in response to requests from employees and customers for one final chance to fly on the aircraft.

The flights will go on sale at midday on Wednesday, 8 July on qantas.com and will operate on Monday, 13 July (Sydney), Wednesday, 15 July (Brisbane) and Friday, 17 July (Canberra). Economy fares cost $400 and a small number of Business Class tickets will be available for $747 with additional extras included.

Seats will be limited to maximise passenger comfort (in line with other previously operated joy flights).

Qantas 747 Fleet Captain Owen Weaver said the 747 has a special place in the hearts of many passengers.

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“The 747 has been a magnificent aircraft and it’s fitting that we celebrate the end of five decades of history-making moments for the national carrier and aviation in Australia,” Captain Weaver said.

“Since the first 747 joined the Qantas fleet in 1971, these aircraft have operated numerous rescue flights to bring Australians home during times of crisis and provided a safe passage for many travellers taking their first international flight to or from Australia.

“These three flights will offer the final opportunity to fly on the Qantas 747 before it leaves, with some of our frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts as fond of the aircraft as we are, having spent thousands of hours onboard over the years.

“There is an enormous amount of nostalgia and affection associated with our 747 and for those who miss out on a seat on the flight, they will at least be able to catch a glimpse of the aircraft as it takes to Australian skies for the last time.”

The flights will be operated on a cost-recovery basis and profits will be donated to the HARS Aviation Museum at Albion Park (Wollongong) and the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach to support their efforts to preserve and promote the 747 legacy for future generations.

Both museums have a Qantas 747 on public display. The final 747-400 in the fleet will depart Sydney at approximately 2pm on 22 July 2020 as flight QF7474.

Prior to its final departure on 22 July, Qantas will host a hangar farewell event for employees.

Additional reporting by Airlinerwatch.com

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Comments (14)

  • Craigy

    says:

    A sad day when it finally stops flying in Qantas colours. Having flown in all models flown by Qantas, I will continue to have fond memories of the Queen of the sky.

    On another note, the first A380 VH-OQE has flown to Victorville for long term storage.

  • Vic Cottle

    says:

    I started flying with Qantas as a cabin crew member in 1980 & retired in 2002 . Now living in Canberra …. How do I get a ticket?

  • Gerald

    says:

    I had the pleasure of flying the 747 for 14 years, doubt it will ever be matched in terms of the impact it made to world wide aviation and travel, and the pure emotion that it can evoke.

  • Duncan

    says:

    Such a pitty I can’t go, with the boarders closed even thought I’m not in a locked down part of Vic I’m unable to travel to the departure locations. Fairwell Queens of the sky’s.

  • Michael Andrew

    says:

    Lets hope that Qantas see fit to offer invitations to the ex employees as well to attend the hangar farewell, we ALL gave so much to the 747 – while the aircraft was in service with Qantas.

  • Len Krawczyk

    says:

    Way back in the dim past my suggestion to name the 747-400 “Longreach” was successful. It felt like my personal graffiti & it was such a good feeling to see it all over he world.

  • Ian

    says:

    so it seems to cost a lot or is that because of social distancing ?

    Why social distancing ? Doesn’t apply on any other flights.

  • Dan

    says:

    All sold out in 15 min.

    Qantas please run another one !!!!!!

  • Peter Webb

    says:

    Sooo disappointed! I was by the keyboard, waiting for the clock to strike 12, selected my departure city and mystery flight destination, hit submit and that’s where it all stopped. The system said it couldn’t find my departure flight. Numerous retries. And then Flight Closed.
    What disappoints me the most is how this series of flights is very much an after thought by QF management, only interested in racing the aircraft off to the grave yard. They completely underestimate the iconic value the QF747 has in Australian history and culture.
    I guess I’ll just have to find a suitable hill to stand on and wave goodbye when she finally heads off.
    I console myself with the memory that I was around for the first one, VH EBA in 1971.

  • Wayno

    says:

    These flights sold out in 10 minutes apparently. Hopefully Qantas consider putting on additional flights to meet customer demand. I’m sure their staff would appreciate the work at this time.

  • stuart lawrence

    says:

    I wish Qantas would buy the 747 800

  • Joe Ganeshan

    says:

    Very sad I have missed out on the last flight.
    Thanks
    Joe Ganeshan

  • Sean Steward

    says:

    Don’t we all Stuart ??%?✈️

  • Anthony

    says:

    QF routes such as SYD-JNB, SYD-SCL , SYD-DFW, are unique to QF, the -800 would have served those routes well, however QF appears to have taken the view of other carriers with substantionally different routes. The 747 days are now finished with QF and so has my 35 years of loyal support to the carrier as a f/f.

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