Quantcast

The lasting legacy of the Boeing 747-100s that escaped the scrapyard

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger tries opening plane door mid-flight, gets zip-tied by veterans
The lasting legacy of the Boeing 747-100s that escaped the scrapyard
Policy
Webp received 993558712965887
Boeing 747-100s | Wikipedia

The Boeing 747-100 series, known for its widebody design, first launched with Pan American World Airways in 1970. Although production ended in 2023, several models remain in use with cargo carriers, and some managed to avoid being scrapped. The original series has largely exited passenger operations, although certain airlines like Air China, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Rossiya Airlines still operate them.

Recent data from ch-aviation highlights four unique Boeing 747-100 variants not scrapped. A well-known prototype, the "City of Everett," resides at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Built as a testbed and making its first flight in February 1969, it contributed significantly to Boeing, including tests for the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine. Its last flight was in 1995, and it clocked a total of 5,300 flight hours.

At Laurinburg-Maxton Airport lies an old Northwest Airlines Boeing 747-100, registered as N603US. Despite entering service in May 2010, it hasn't flown since 1998 and remains in a state described variably as "stored" or "retired."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Iran Air's remaining Boeing 747-100, registered EP-IAM, first flew in 1979. It faced storage at Imam Khomeini International Airport since 2014 due to Iran's severe aviation industry restrictions following political sanctions.

In Saudi Arabia, ex-Saudia Boeing 747-100, registered HZ-AIG, last flew in 2006 and resides now in storage at Jeddah Airport. Although younger than some later variants, it is among the few original models in existence.

The Boeing 747-100 series, originally designed with a limited upper-deck lounge, transitioned to premium seating and later included more upper deck windows. No specific freighter version was developed, though many were converted over time. The 747 family, reaching 1,574 units across variants, left an indelible mark, helped by its widespread commercial success.

Its decline marked the shift to smaller aircraft models, though its production lasted longer than the Airbus A380. The final A380 and 747 deliveries occurred in 2021 and 2023, respectively. U.S. airlines now eschew larger models, including newer offerings such as the Boeing 777X, which have found more receptive overseas markets.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a limited-time 20% discount on fares between Addis Ababa and Porto.

Oct 27, 2025

Avianca has announced that passengers are encouraged to register for the Biomig biometric migration system to avoid lines and delays at participating airports in Colombia.

Oct 27, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced an upgrade to its mobile application, enhancing travel convenience ahead of the holiday season.

Oct 27, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to commence significant renovations aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

Oct 27, 2025