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As of 2025, the world's only remaining Boeing 747-100 continues to fly under the operation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. Originally delivered to Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1970, this aircraft has survived decades of global fleet retirements and challenges related to parts scarcity. The Boeing 747-100 was never intended to last into the 2020s, yet it remains active as a military transport aircraft.
According to ch-aviation, this aircraft is still listed as active and likely serves military transport or logistics missions within the Middle East. Despite international sanctions limiting access to Boeing-certified parts and technical support, Iran's maintenance capabilities have kept this aircraft airworthy. This reflects Iran's domestic engineering expertise in maintaining aging fleets.
The Boeing 747-100 holds historical significance as it marked a transformative era in global aviation when TWA received it in October 1970. It enabled mass long-haul travel and set a precedent for global connectivity during the jet age. For Iran, it represents self-sufficiency amid sanctions; for historians, it's an example of Cold War geopolitics converging with aviation innovation.
