Taiwan-based China Airlines will retire its passenger Boeing 747 aircraft with a special final farewell flight that will take passengers from Taiwan, around Japan and back to Taiwan in February 2021.
China Airlines announced that its final commercial passenger Boeing 747 flight will occur on February 6, 2021. The airline will use its last remaining Boeing 747-400 (registered as B-18215) to conduct a flight-to-nowhere “leaving full of memories in this warm little journey.” The aircraft, which was the last passenger-carrying 747-400 that Boeing produced, will bow out with a five hour and 40 minute flight. The Queen of the Skies will depart from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to circle around Japan, including around the famous Mount Fuji.
Starting from January 6, 2021, tickets to the flight will be available for three classes: Economy, Business and Business class on the upper deck of the Boeing 747. The prices for the tickets will be TWD7,470 ($266), TWD9,747 ($347) and ($382), respectively. In addition to the flight, passengers will also receive a 747-400 model (1:200), 747-400 stamped mask, flight certificate, key ring and 747-400 canvas bag “and many other gifts,” indicated China Airlines.
China Airlines received its first passenger Boeing 747 in September 1976, with the arrival of the 747-100 (registered as B-1860). The carrier’s first Boeing 747-400 arrived in Taiwan in June 1993.
The Taiwanese flag carrier was one of the airlines which have conducted various flight experiences for passengers following border closures during the COVID-19 crisis. In July 2020, China Airlines allowed travelers to go through the “whole” airport experience, including check-in, security, duty-free, and boarding. However, the flight never took off. The following month, the airline launched two flights that departed and landed back at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).
Following the farewell flight, the Boeing 747-400 (registered as B-18215) will be under the ownership of GA Telesis, a US-based commercial aviation services company. In November 2020, China Airlines and GA Telesis announced reaching an agreement for the remarketing of four 747-400s, including the aforementioned aircraft that will conduct China Airlines’ last passenger flight with the double-decker.
The Taiwan-based airline still owns 18 Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft, according to planespotters.net data.
