Are you desperate to fly on the Boeing 747 before it retires? Do you live in the eastern states of Australia? Well you’re in luck! From the 7th of July, Qantas is offering seats on three special Boeing 747 farewell flights before the aircraft heads to the dessert for good.
Qantas has three flights lined up to give people the chance to finally fly on the iconic aircraft; or even just re-live a past experience for the last time.
Three one hour flights will be available to the public from Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, all of which can be booked in Economy or in Business Class. Qantas notes that Premium Economy is reserved for for their own employees.
Each of the flights will operate on the following dates:
- Sydney to Sydney – Monday July 13th
- Brisbane to Brisbane – Wednesday July 15th
- Canberra to Canberra – Friday July 17th
To book a ticket on one of these final flights, you’ll have to be quick. It is evident in the Australian aviation community that demand is high. Economy tickets will go live at AUD $400, with Business Class being a perfect $747.
The flights will go on sale at midday on Wednesday 8 July on Qantas.com
Note: The farewell jumbo jet joy flights will operate with Qantas Fly Well protocols in place.
Select seats will remain unoccupied on the aircraft, this is to allow passengers to get a feel for the 747 whilst also allowing them to snap photos from different angles.
Qantas 747 Fleet Captain Owen Weaver said the 747 has a special place in the hearts of many Australians.
“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,”
Qantas 747 Fleet Captain Owen Weaver
Although Qantas is operating the flights on a cost-recovery basis, any profits made will be put to good use. The HARS Aviation Museum in Sydney and the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach will each receive funds from Qantas, to help preserve the Boeing 747 for those in the future.
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 the 22nd July, Qantas will host a hangar farewell event for employees.
Editors Note – Domestic 747 Flight Experience
Earlier in the year I scored a spot on a Qantas domestic flight from Sydney to Melbourne, being operated by a Boeing 747. To me, it was almost like a farewell flight; purely because of the enormous crowds at the terminal waiting to snap a photo of the aircraft ahead of departure.
The on-board atmosphere was also full of excitement, both from aviation enthusiasts and those who were subject to seeing such a beautiful connection between man and machine.
Moving around was challenging, especially with the amount of people desperate to capture every aspect of the 747. Despite this I was politely taken for a tour by a flight attendant by the name of Valentino Lunardi, who was full of great stories about the 747 and other Qantas aircraft.
Perhaps the most amazing part of the flight was seeing the stunning angular wing of the 747-400 glistening in the broad sunlight, as it soared over a white sheet of clouds.
Considering this was my first flight on a Boeing 747, I began to understand why people appreciate it so much. It really is a machine that impresses you more and more as you explore it; it never disappoints, as you take in all of its quirks and its historical quest in a shrinking the world.
Are you going to book a ticket on one of Qantas’ 747 farewell flights?
The flights will go on sale at midday on Wednesday 8 July on Qantas.com