Intercontinental, signalled the beginning
of the end for Qantas’ 747 services. Even
though delays in both the A380 and 787
production schedules gave the ‘Queen of the
Sky’ a reprieve as the primary Qantas long-
haul jet airliner, the phased withdrawal of the
type began in 2009.
The most notable retirement took place on
March 8, 2016 when VH-OJA was ferried from
Sydney to Albion Park. Here it was donated
to the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society.
The aircraft covered the 59-mile (95km)
journey in just 12 minutes, as a result VH-
OJA not only holds the record for the world’s
longest 747 ight, but also the shortest.
Ten 747s remain in the Qantas eet.
Nine were refurbished as recently as 2012,
receiving A380-style seating and cabin
ttings. Recon gured in a three-class layout,
these aircraft feature Qantas’ fully- at bed
in business class, as well as a premium
economy cabin and A380-style economy
section. An LED mood lighting system was
installed to modernise the cabin ambiance,
while each seat incorporates modern
Panasonic in ight entertainment screens.
The one exception is VH-OEB, which
remains tted with a rst class cabin.
Generally sold as business class and
reserved for high-tier frequent yers, this 1-2-
1 layout is located in the nose of the aircraft
and is a refreshed version of the premierproduct used when Qantas’ 747s ew
between Australia and London. VH-OEB
is often used for charter ights where a rst
class cabin is required. Its con guration is
14 in rst class, 52 in business, 32 premium
economy and 255 in economy. This
compares to the standard 747-400 layout of
58 in business, 36 premium economy and
270 economy.
With 787-9s joining the eet from
2017, the airline’s route map has been
revolutionised. This includes establishingthe rst direct passenger service between
London and Perth.
The efficiencies of the 787-9 led to an
inevitable announcement in May 2018 that
the airline would retire its last 747 by the end
of 2020. At the same time, Qantas committed
to purchase an additional six 787-9s in a
shift that will add efficiency and improve
passenger comfort.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said of the
747’s retirement: “The jumbo has been
the backbone of Qantas International for
more than 40 years and we’ve own almost
every type that Boeing built. It’s tting that
its retirement is going to coincide with our
centenary in 2020.”
But while the 747 enters its twilight years
at Qantas, there is still time to sample the
‘Queen of the Sky’. In fact, as recently as
August 2018 the jumbo jet has found itself
on domestic duties, plying the popular
Perth to Sydney route, much to the delight
of local passengers.
The 747 is a true game changer in
Australian aviation. It allowed Qantas to
connect Australians with the world in a way
never before achieved. Its size, economies
of scale and range opened up long-haul
travel to the masses, and earnt the aircraft
a permanent place in the hearts of the
Australian public.http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 31
Sydney to Albion Park. Here it was donated
to the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society.
“fi rst class passengers could relax in a
colourful 1970s re-creation of a sailing
ship’s cabin, complete with ropes, lamps
and a sextant on the rear bulkhead.”
On March 8, 2016, -4368 VH-OJA was ferried from Sydney to Albion Park, near Wollongong, New South Wales for preservation with the Historic
Aircraft Restoration Society. It covered the 59-mile journey in just 12 minutes to grant VH-OJA the record for the world’s shortest 747 ight.
HARS has an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which have a Qantas connection. HARS
Premium economy seating. Chris Frame The economy class main cabin. Chris Frame