Boeing 747 planes are about to disappear from the skies for good with the iconic jets set for retirement

Get ready to bid the Boeing 747 planes a sad farewell – these iconic jets are set for retirement.

There was once a time when the 747 was a fixture of the American flying experience.

Nowadays, it’s more of a novelty, largely relegated to cargo shipping or service as Air Force One.

Why has the Boeing 747 gone into decline?

Don’t get used to seeing Boeing 747 planes around for much longer

Everywhere you look, the messaging on the Boeing 747 is crystal clear – this is a plane that is on its way out.

Only four airlines still use the plane for passenger flights – Lufthansa, Air China, Korean Air, and Rossiya Airlines.

As you can see from the above, the Boeing 747 isn’t something that Americans are all that accustomed to seeing anymore.

The plane first burst onto the scene back in 1969, but production eventually ceased in 2023.

The final Boeing 747 was delivered to Atlas Air.

How many Boeing 747s are still in service?

There are different variants of 747, so the numbers vary on which are remaining in service.

• 747-100: 205 Built / One in service
• 747SP: 45 Built / Two in service
• 747-200: 393 Built / 16 in service
• 747- 300: 81 Built / Two in service
• 747-400: 694 Built / 255 in service
• 747-8: 155 Built / 150 in service

The numbers speak for themselves.

Admittedly, the 747-400 and the 747-8 aren’t doing too bad, but the 747-100 and 747SP are verging on extinction.

These planes still have a place in the Air Force One line-up

While Boeing 747s might not be thriving in commercial aviation, there is one stronghold remaining; Air Force One.

After all, what more visible aircraft is there in all of American culture than the one that the President flies in?

Whether it’s FDR or Ronald Reagan, Air Force One embodies American prestige like no other plane.

There are currently two Air Force One projects in the works, both of which involve a Boeing 747.

One Boeing 747 was gifted to the US by Qatar, causing a whole load of controversy.

It feels like virtually every aspect of this whole deal has been gone over with a fine-tooth comb, from its stunning interior to its unusual call sign.

There were reports indicating that the plane was being geared up for use by this summer, which is certainly a tall order.

And then there’s the two Boeing 747-8 planes that were already being primed to be the next generation of Air Force Ones.

With the operation manual costing a staggering $84 million, it’s no wonder they’re considered such a big deal.

But don’t expect to see those planes until 2029.

The fate of the Boeing 747 seems to be all but sealed – freight planes and Air Force One.

With options like the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 offering comparable range and lower maintenance costs, it seems inevitable.