# Last 747 passenger flight in the US **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272 "2018-01-09T21:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/121 "2023-07-05T13:57:11Z")
I’ve only ever seen an A380 parked at the gate, and found it ugly. It reminds me of a whale. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/122 "2023-07-05T16:35:39Z")
They are not pretty aircraft, not at all. The nose is ugly, it’s too short, the wings are weird. But it _is_ big. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/123 "2023-07-05T17:32:37Z")
Oh yeah. Have ridden them twice (LAX-Sydney, Australia) and Sydney to DFW), both in coach and on both decks. They are pretty large inside too, pretty good legroom even in coach. Been watching some You Tube vids on Singapore Airlines First Class Suites and once I’ve hit the lottery, I’m going to ride on that… Here’s my favorite one–[13 Hours in Singapore Airlines First Class Suite (London to Singapore) - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lPCn_1MOG8) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/124 "2023-07-06T11:04:25Z")
Yes the A-380s look ungainly and awkward, not beautiful like the 747s. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/125 "2023-07-06T15:28:56Z")
In their defense, the -380 model we all know was intended to be the smallest of the bunch. If you stretched it another 75 feet or so it would not look quite so much like a loaf of bread that’s been dropped on its head. They had to do a lot of magic to cram enough lift into wings as stubby as they are. They’d have much preferred longer wings, but that would have necessitated all new airports to fly in and out of, which wasn’t going to happen. So massive aerodynamic compromises were made. Which harmed efficiency. And makes the thing funny-looking compared to airplanes not so constrained. That’s really what’s “wrong” with its looks. Airplanes, and especially long-haul airplanes, are supposed to be lithe and graceful. This thing is built like the proverbial barrel-chested fireplug of a bouncer. Not like a ballet dancer. Boeing is now making loud noises that their next new airliner will be a variation on the truss-braced wing concept. Whatever else we can say about them, I have no doubt they’ll be mighty weird-looking to all of us raised on airliners in the B-7xx and A3xx mold. > **[Boeing Awarded NASA Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Contract](https://investors.boeing.com/investors/news/press-release-details/2023/Boeing-Awarded-NASA-Sustainable-Flight-Demonstrator-Contract/default.aspx)** > > \- NASA, Boeing and partners aim to cut fuel use and emissions up to 30% in single-aisle airplanes - Advances in sustainable technology are crucial to reaching civil aviation's goal to be net zero carbon emissions by 2050  NASA has selected... ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/126 "2023-07-06T15:33:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Boeing is now making loud noises that their next new airliner will be a variation on the Truss-braced wing concept. Whatever else we can say about them, I have no doubt they’ll be mighty weird-looking to all of us raised on airliners in the 7xx and A3xx mold. > > [https://investors.boeing.com/investors/news/press-release-details/2023/Boeing-Awarded-NASA-Sustainable-Flight-Demonstrator-Contract/default.aspx](https://investors.boeing.com/investors/news/press-release-details/2023/Boeing-Awarded-NASA-Sustainable-Flight-Demonstrator-Contract/default.aspx) That design, with the wing atop the fuselage, reminds me of regional turboprop planes. It’s definitely a different look. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/127 "2023-07-06T15:41:56Z")
Yes. The other thing is the wing is about twice as long as you’re used to, and far more slender. More like the look of a sailplane than an airliner. On the ground the wing will fold straight up just outside where the brace meets the wing. While taxiing they’ll vaguely resemble those trucks used by windows contractors to carry big slabs of glass upright. Or the old WW-II Navy aircraft carrier planes. Or those seabirds that like to hold their wings up high to dry while walking around. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/128 "2023-07-06T18:30:25Z")
I was a passenger on the last Eastern Airlines prop flight, New York to Boston. They sent me a commemorative paperweight, with my last name spelled wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/129 "2023-07-06T19:14:39Z")
> [@Hatchie](#): > > They sent me a commemorative paperweight, with my last name spelled wrong. It’s worth bearing in mind the unofficial airline industry motto: > We’re not happy … until you’re not happy. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/130 "2023-07-07T06:55:16Z")
> [@Hatchie](#): > > They sent me a commemorative paperweight, with my last name spelled wrong. There are some hockey players whose names are misspelled on the Stanley Cup. That’s gotta suck. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/131 "2023-07-07T10:48:54Z")
Oh yeah that’s really gotta suck. In Google when I enter ‘names misspelled’, Google pre-fills ‘names misspelled on the Stanley Cup’ as the very first option. And… here are some, including that great 1980-1981 team, the **New York Ilanders** : [![](https://i.imgur.com/QVZLmS6.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/QVZLmS6.png) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/132 "2023-07-07T11:54:08Z")
You had one job … ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/133 "2023-12-18T04:45:08Z")
Informative piece on the A380’s current status and future. > **[Why The Airbus A380 Is Making An Unlikely Comeback](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbzbXEO10yY%2F)** > > The Airbus A380 made its first commercial flight in 2007. When it debuted, it overtook the long reigning Boeing 747 as the world’s biggest passenger plane. I... ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/134 "2024-05-04T17:52:28Z")
Global Airlines, the startup planning to fly A380s only, flew its first plane from the US to Scotland where it will be refurbished for it’s new role. So, they have a plane. > **[An airline startup with plans to fly A380s between London and New York made...](https://www.businessinsider.com/airline-startup-betting-on-airbus-a380-made-first-transatlantic-flight-2024-5)** > > Global Airlines CEO James Asquith said: "There were moments when I thought the aircraft would not make it out of America." ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/135 "2024-05-05T00:40:50Z")
Might as well drop this here, too. The Airbus A340 is nearly gone from fleets as well. There are only 64 left in service, and no cargo version to keep them flying in other roles. [https://www.cnn.com/travel/the-a340-vanishing/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/travel/the-a340-vanishing/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/136 "2024-05-05T01:08:08Z")
I’ve flown it a few times, on Lufthansa. I thought it was interesting how you had to go downstairs to use the bathrooms. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/137 "2024-05-05T01:38:51Z")
I’ve flown an A380, too. It was surprisingly comfortable. And going downstairs to use the restrooms gives a nice excuse to stretch your legs, without needing to squeeze past the other passengers extra times if you want to get in a little extra movement. I don’t like flying huge jets. I am more psychologically comfortable on a nice Embreair. But I’ll take the A380 over the B747 any day. (I wrote [above](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/48) about the probable origin of my antipathy towards the 747.) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/138 "2024-05-05T23:28:31Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I’ve flown it a few times, on Lufthansa. I thought it was interesting how you had to go downstairs to use the bathrooms. I’m pretty sure the downstairs lavatories were unique to Lufthansa’s A340s. Other airlines have (had) them on the the same level as the rest of the cabin. My impression of SAS’s A340 was that the cabin was pretty much identical to the A330. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/139 "2024-05-31T15:27:04Z")
Since this thread has morphed to cover all large aircraft, the Beluga fleet now has its own airline. > **[Airbus Beluga: World’s strangest-looking plane gets its own airline | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/travel/airbus-beluga-gets-own-airline/index.html)** > > The Airbus Beluga, named for its resemblance to the white Arctic whale, now has its own freight airline, Airbus Beluga Transport. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272/140 "2024-08-25T13:48:35Z")
Without the A380 and 747, this is the new largest plane in production. > **[What to expect from the new Boeing 777-9 – the world’s longest and widest...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/expect-boeing-777-9-world-070000356.html)** > > After years of crisis, Boeing is about to launch a new long-haul jet. Can it pull the nose up? And while we’re at it, I was doing yard work yesterday, heard a loud growl in the sky, and spotted BA213 coming in to land at Logan Airport. Man, those things don’t look like they should be able to stay in the air. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOM4z0vuAop9qsPPe_5HnlEy3ZMH7kKrXIKRsfvBhlt1fUUmesgh-f-yYEktL8O1IPsnYS3hdL_NMKue64lHMBw8xxDa_LzzsatsL7ylb6OlsqmHMpH=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/zFNz3RA45d42qX1u6) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-747-passenger-flight-in-the-us/806272.md?page=8)