Why do only 4 passengers fly airlines Boeing 747?

It has sold its five Boeing 747-8s to Sierra Nevada CorporationOnly four airlines worldwide still operate aircraft from the Boeing 747 family, also known as ‘Jumbo Jet’ as passenger aircraft, and they want to retire them as soon as possible. In early 2024, only three airlines operated Boeing 747 as a regularly scheduled passenger aircraft, but by 2025, this number increased to four, Highlighting that the phase of the aircraft is not always strictly linear,

Boeing 747-400 And 747–8 is used for scheduled passenger transport, but they struggle to remain competitive due to more efficient aircraft such as Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, which burns much less fuel per seat. 747 is popular as a freiter and for some special roles, but not as a commercial passenger aircraft. What is known here why four airlines still operate Boeing 747 as a scheduled passenger aircraft.

Three airlines operating 747 increased to four

Years later, the airlines divided their disabled quad-aged boing 747s and switched to the twin-signed aircraft, with only three operators in the beginning of 2024. Then, Rossia reactivated some Boeing 747–400s, increasing the number of passenger operators from three to four. These aircraft had already retired, but Western -led sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector with dozens of aircraft seizing, meaning that Russia had to fall back on these old aircraft.

Making cases worse, Russia is struggling to keep modern aircraft like A320NEO/A321Neo FlyingWhich is particularly affecting the S7 Airlines. In September 2024, the Russian news outlet Commerce reported that Rossia Airlines (part of the aeroflot group) would bring Boeing back to 747-400. Rossia acquired these aircraft in 2016, when the Aeroflot Group achieved part of the insolvency Russian airline, transao fleet.

Separately, Boeing 747-8S is currently being prepared by Boeing, the new Air Force One Presidential Jets were also originally created, but were not distributed to the transaos. Planespotters.net has listed Rossia as five Boeing 747–400s on the list, two of which are currently active.

The average age of these aircraft is about 25 years old, and Rossia is using these aging jumbo jets on domestic routes within Russia. For example, an aircraft registered as RA -73286, is serving routes from Sheremetevo International Airport in Moscow to Russia and Magdan.

Other airlines operating passenger Boeing 747s

According to CH-remedies data, Air China is currently operating five Boeing 747s (one 747–400 and four 747-8s). Meanwhile, the Korean air operates four (all 747–8S), two (both 747–400) in Rossia, and Lufthansa has 24 (six 747–400 and 18 747-8s). There is some inequality between data sources, as Planspotters.net has listed Air China as two 747–400 and five 747-8s on the list. It is phasing its fleet of aging 747–400s, but VIP uses some of its 747-8 for government transport.

The Korean Air Boeing is another operator of 747-8 that also wants to phase out the type of service, and has already sold five examples to Sierra Nevada Corp, which is to replace the four -aged USAF E -4B ‘Doomsade airplane fleet. Korean Air is itching to retire from its disabled Airbus A380s, Boeing 747 and old Boeing 777-300 aircraft. However, it cannot do this immediately, as Airbus and Boeing Widebody delivery are delayed, and so it will result in a capacity interval.

Meanwhile, Boeing is working to retire its age 747-400 in the coming years with other disabled quad-complicated aircraft such as Lufthansa A340-600 and A380. However, Lufthansa is also waiting for replacement aircraft and cannot retire these aircraft until new jets arrive. Right now, issues related to its new seating configuration are catching 787 delivery as FAA certification is pending. For example, Lufthansa will probably continue to operate 747–8S in the 2030s.

Three passengers airlines who bought unpopular Boeing 747-8

747–8 was the last version of Boeing from its popular 747 family, but failed to attract significant sales. More than 150 Boeing was given in 747-8, there were only 48 passenger aircraft, including more than 100 framers. Only three airlines bought passenger Boeing 747–8, with some more non-airline companies purchased as private jets or other applications.

Boeing figures suggest that 48 passengers were distributed by Boeing 747-8, seven were rushed to Air China, 10 were rushed to Korean Air, and 19 went to Lufthansa. These were the only three airlines to buy the last passenger version of Jumbo Jet. Other airlines operated the large double-deck airbus A380, although both Boeing and Airbus had to cancel these large jets due to poor sales.

The remaining Boeing 747-8i (passenger version) customers are listed as USAF (who were purchased two), private VIP customers or commercial jets (eight examples), and two were given to unknown users. When Airbus A380 More orders (251 units), Boeing 747–8 enjoyed more applications. Indeed, only passengers have been flown in A380, while 747–8 passenger transport, business jet, freiter and military roles.

Modern widebody is waiting for aircraft

According to the executive passenger, Korean Air CEO Walter Cho has said about the situation that “”We are less than about 20 aircraft per manufacturer. This is why old A380s and 747-8s and very old 777 are still flying (…). So we haven’t retired them yet“Korean is on Boeing 787s, 777-9S, and Airbus A350s Order, with CHO that” said “As soon as we get new airplanes, as soon as the next opportunity comes, they two [A380s and 747s] Will be phased,

For its share, Lufthansa includes 83 aircraft with its widebody orderbook, on the Airbus A350-900s, A350-1000s, Boeing 777-9S, and 787-9S orders. Lufthansa is also ready to be a customer launched for the upcoming Boeing 777-9At the end of 2026. This type has delayed the FAA to take longer time for the aircraft to reward its type of certificate. Around 15 Boeing 787 is completed and otherwise waiting for delivery, but FAA is certification for parts of the new Alegis interior.

For its share, Air China has not ordered the new widebody aircraft. The recent trade war between the United States and China may reduce the possibility that Air China will order Boeing 787 or 777 replacement for its 747. Additionally, Air China can wait to order domesticly manufactured Comac C929, which is currently in development. In November 2024, Reuters reported that Air China will be the first customer for the upcoming C929, with 280 to 400 seats.

Other Boeing 747 Operator

Rossi, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Air China may be the only airlines operating SC 747 flights, but other people are using types as VIP transport. Indeed, CH-Aviation listed the Bahrain Royal Flight and Dubai Air Wing as the operation of two Boeing 747-400s. Dubai Air Wing, Oman Royal Flight, Royal Air Marok, and Saudi Arabia Royal Flight all have a single Boeing 747-400 service.

The last two US-based airlines, delta air lines and United Airlines, his passenger Boeing 747-400 in 2017, retiredHowever, all these former travelers are not completely ended for American 747–400, as passenger Boeing 747–400s has been converted into fraters for use in the US. For example, Atlas Air has purchased two 747-400 from ANA All Nippon Airlines, one Boeing 747-400 from United Airlines and two 747–400s from Virgin Atlantic.

Overall, around 424 Boeing 747 family aircraft live in the worldwide active airline service, with bulk fraters. The leading operators of the world are Atlas Air (61), UPS Airlines (43), Cargolux (30), Lufthansa (27), Calitta Air (22), and Cathe Pacific (20). Interestingly, some passengers operate 747s as Freets nowadays, such as Cataties, Asian, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

The remaining passenger 747 gradual retirement

In 2011, Japan Airlines retired the last of its 747s, operating a total of 114 examples over the years, and in 2016, Air France retired all of all of its 747–400. In 2017, Delta and United retired their 747 last retirement, while British Airways carried forward the planned retirement of their 747–400 fleet during the epidemic, retiring them all in 2020. By the beginning of 2024, only airlines were still operating for Scheduled Passenger Services, three airlines who ordered 747–8.

These were later incorporated by Aerophlot’s Rosia due to the requirement of capacity after restrictions. Air China and Lufthansa have conducted Boeing 747–400s for longer for their aging than any other airline, although the type of end is near. Lufthansa is set after the last air China 747-400 of the final airline operating passenger 747-400.

Korean Air has sold half of its fleet of Boeing 747-8 and wants to retire the type as soon as possible. The South Korean flag carrier plans to divide its remaining 747s by 2026, although the airline has been pushed back for not receiving the replacement aircraft. Like, it seems Lufthansa will be the last operator of Jumbo and will probably continue to fly it in the 2030s,