I flew on 747s dozens of times between 1980 and 2017. My last 747 flight was on a Lufthansa 747-400 from Frankfurt to Vancouver. I also paid for an upgrade to the upper deck, as I was not feeling well. The 747 truly was/is the Queen of the Skies. I don’t think any newer aircraft matches the experience for long distance travel. It’s sad to think that most young travellers will never enjoy it, so I’m glad you did, Alex!
My first 747 flight was on North West Orient (NWO) in May 1970, from Honolulu to Tōkyō's Haneda. It became my plane of choice for transpacific flights on NWA and then Delta. I strenuously avoided JAL and United. My last 747 flight was a Lufthansa passenger freight combi, the City of Bremen, between Tōkyō and Frankfurt for my sole trip to Portugal. Before that, my only experience with a combi was on KLM on my trip to Dublin. In the decades in between, I flew numerous 747 flights on Japanese domestic MN mainline routes from Tōkyō north to Sapporo (for skiing) and south to Okinawa (for scuba diving). My last flights on any plane were in February 2019, after which a hit-and-run and COVID got in the way. I don't see myself flying to Japan or Taiwan this year or even next. All I have in mind is business flights from Abbotsford to Kelowna over the next three years.
Wow! What a nice name you have it, I just let you know because my name is Gerardo Moreno from Mexico, have a nice day my friend from Canada. Ciao Gerarda. xoxoxo
I too would like to thank you for this lovely review. I booked DC to Frankfurt, business class, Lufthansa upper deck, and I'm so excited!!! When you've flown coach your whole life, and treating oneself to business class for our once in a lifetime trip to Africa, and you see these snotty reviews, it really bums me out!! For those of us who work hard, and don't get to fly 1st or business class, pretty much never, this will be a heavenly dream compared to coach!!! So thank you for restoring my excitement for this flight.
this is the ultimate Avgeek bucket list ticker flight business class, upper deck, Lufthansa 747. LH is really becoming the Av geek airline with basically all the head line models in service
A family of 4, we flew in the upper deck of a n Air France 747 from Mru to Cdg in August1990. A fluke upgrade: the agent thought to keep the family together, and the only way to do that was to give us 2 and 2 upstairs ! What a treat. I witnessed a heated argument when the pilots were relieved in Dhahran, SArabia. Sadam had just invaded Kuwait and people were evacuating from the middle east in droves. The pilots did not relish the layover so close to the conflict zone. A big headache for the purser. They ended up staying on the flight to Paris.
I am a young kid and I’ve flown on the 747-400 without knowing. It was 2016 then and I flew with Cathay Pacific to Thailand. It was a extraordinary flight! But sadly, two months after that flight, Cathay Pacific retired the Queen. It’s so lucky for you to get on one now. Be proud of everytime you take this plane guys Edit: it was actually a Thai Airways
I flew on the -400 twice in 2012 and 2014 when I was 2 and 4 years old. I don't remember anything from the first flight, but my family recorded some videos while we were on the 2014 flight and thus I remember it very well. The flight was on a now bankrupt Russian airline called Transaero and the plane was full economy so the upper deck was accessible as a place to relax. It was so cool to fly on the plane and as I now live in Australia I will most likely never fly on the plane again. It's good that you also had a similar experience to mine. Long live the queen of the skies, my favourite plane forever.
Your comment reminded me of a trip to LA, Anaheim, and Vancouver that my family went on in 2000, and piecing the trip together years later, I did realise that the EVA Air flights we were on were mostly likely booked through codeshares with Singapore Airlines, so we likely flew with the latter to and from Taiwan and from there to Vancouver (and back from LA) with the former. Doing some quick research, it seemed both airlines were flying 747s around the time, and even if we did get on at least one, we were always on the lower decks due to having booked economy class seats. (Edit: it was more likely in 2000 than in 2001 as I remembered I was 3 at the time and was just starting to be able to record long-term memories)
The only 747 I flew on was Air Canada 747-100 back in the late 70’s. Things sure have changed on the 747 since then lol. Thanks for taking us on the trip. Now you can say you’ve “been there done that”!
You should have more subscribers. You don't nit-pick everything and made an excellent video that shows you are genuine and not doing it for views or flexing your internet wealth like so many others out there and in turn, got that golden ticket into the cockpit! Loved this video and look forward to seeing more amazing content!
Years ago I was flying from Calgary to Vancouver and for some reason I was put on a 747. It was only an hour but I was amazed at the size of it. At that time it was usually 737's so it was very cool to get a ride on a 747. I'm talking early 80's .....very cool.
My favorite airplane. Recently, I have flown on Lufthansa Flight 493 from Vancouver BC to Frankfurt in business class in the lower deck. The plane was D-ABVM. Like you, I finally got the single opportunity to fly on the queen of the skies.
What a beauty. I flew on one in 1998 when l was a child flying to Jamaica with my mom, it was a 747-100 with Air Canada and it was her last flight, at the last minute my mom and l got bumped up to first class ( before all this premium economy and business class stuff now) it was an amazing experience my mother and l still talk about it t this day. They were retiring her because she was 25 years old but apparently a cargo airliner had bought her but I'm not sure who. I have flown on so many other airplanes since then but 747 has left an indelible mark on me. It will forever be my favorite airplane and will always be the queen of the skies.👑
Lufthansa actually has a fairly modern 747 cabin, even for the -400! I've flew on the 747 many times and it's a really aged plane and most other airlines didn't modernize the cabin, so it has not been a good experience in recent memories. It's good that Lufthansa will send people away with some decent memories of the 747.
I'm flying to Budapest next week and I choose my route specifically because it gave the opportunity to fly on the 747-400, maybe for the last time. I'll be flying Lufthansa form Vancouver to Frankfurt. I've flown on the 747 many times over the years but they became quite rare over the past decade so needless to say i'm super excited .
"Pretty soon the breakfast tray appeared. And on it was a KERSAUNT, some fruit, and a plate of muesli which I'd be honest I've never heard of before." Spoken like a true Albertan.
The only 747 I flew on was a Wardair 747 from Calgary to Honolulu on my honeymoon. It was rush seating and somehow we managed to get the very front seats on the main floor. We wondered around the entire plane during the flight and even sat upstairs for a while. This was back when they left the door to the cockpit open sometimes, when airplanes had a smoking section, lol. Thanks for sharing!
Awww, Wardair! Flew on their 747's many times as a child and teen back in the day to the Caribbean and also to Hawaii when the 747 was used regularly to these destinations. Going on what will probably be my last 747 flight next week to Budapest before they retire them completely. 8(
She’s such a beauty. Sad that they are disappearing. Several years ago at the Abbotsford Airshow there were rides offered in a B17, $400 in the fuselage, 800 in the nose. I waffled then cheaped out. I have forever regretted that. So long story short, good on you for biting the bullet here and ticking off a bucket list item.
My wife and I just returned from Scotland, EWR-FRA and back was the 747-8, we flew upper deck what a treat. Gorgeous Airplane I have flown on everything the 74 is by far the best. I've wanted to fly on a 747 my entire life, next year is Italy we will be on the 747-8 JFK-FRA
I'm glad that Lufthansa got their 747-400s out of storage. My first flight ever was in 1976 on a BOAC 747 from YYZ to LHR, I was 18. No sleep on that flight.
Great video ! The Boeing 747-400 or 800 are for me the most beautiful commercial airplanes ever designed. The graciousness of that iconic plane is beyond words… I was extremely lucky to fly as a 20 year old the beautiful KLM 747-400 upper deck first class from Montreal to Amsterdam… My family is in the Travel agency business built by my father here in Montreal, Quebec…. He had connections and did what he could for me to experience alone a KLM first Class on the upper deck……. I love commercial airliners…. I’m now 53 yrs old…. But I did fly a Fokker F-28 Quebecair, did fly a DC-8 with CP-Air to Europe….. and did fly a 747 with Wardair to Hawaii in first class…. Also an Air Canada L1011 to Europe with my father in Business Class…. And I was young but did fly a DC-10…… Also an Air Canada DC-9 to Nova Scotia and then with the years an Airbus A340 to Italy , a Boeing Airbus A319, 321….. and of course some 737-300…. I would have loved to fly a Boeing 727…. Never did. I would now love to experience flying a Boeing 777 or the Dreamliner … or a 747-800…… it’s strange but the Airbus A380 doesn’t do anything to me….. Anyway great channel, love your flights…. Keep on flying !
I love how this 747 is over 20 years old yet looks brand new That's a thing with the 747-400 it is very redundant and comfortable no matter the age or treatment given
I'm thrilled you got to experience the Queen of the Skies, Alex! I too had plans for my first 747 flight in 2020. I was able finally to fly on LH's 747-400 from FRA to YYZ this past April, and like you, spent the extra to able to sit upstairs in the "hump". Seat 85K ... that view! A dream of mine since seeing my first 747 in the 1970's. Thank you as always for sharing.
A few years back just before the pandemic I tried to find your video spot at The Vancouver airport. This plane was coming in for a landing and I got great video of it landing. Needless to say I was very excited.
I managed to get myself a ticket on both the upper deck of a Lufthansa 747-8 and a380, im so excited. I hope there's no equipment swap last minute. This video was awesome and has only made me even more hyped
Majestic aircraft. Iconic. Unforgettable. Flew on several different airlines, Air Canada, BA, British Caledonian( remember them) Saudi, Alitalia, & KLM. Differing services, same sublime aircraft.
I had the pleasure of flying on the 747 a handle full of times with 3 different operators. Seeing this aircraft and flying it is always a treat! I unfortunately haven’t been on any A340’s but I see those are up and flying for Lufthansa and Swiss. Time to splurge on a flight on one before they’re gone!
holy shit my grandparents live slightly south from pearson and the departing planes usually climb over it. I was there a few months ago ( I live slightly north of pearson) and watched a lufthansa 747-400 depart overhead. The registration of the plane i saw was the exact one that you flew in this video, D-ABTK. I think it was a few months after you filmed this but that is still so cool. I actually jumped when I saw the registration popped up i was in disbelief. I even have a video on my cell phone of it departing bc i figured I wouldnt see another -400 for a long time.
Flew 747s to Europe from the States in the 70's - 80's and early 90's. I booked a flight from Chicago to Frankfort in October - same as you I want to nake sure I get myabe my last chance on a Queen!! Thanks for the fun video.
I am so jealous and envious! My first flight was on a 747 in 1972 from YYZ-YVR. I had opportunity to fly on 747's a few more times. I even got a seat on the upper deck, and as far as I know, it was not an upgrade!! I would love to fly on one once more, but I doubt it will happen. I guess I just had the flight vicariously through you!! Glad you got to do it!! Thanks!
Hi Alex I just started watching your videos great stuff I’m a recently retired flight attendant for 32 years I flew on the 747 for many years I miss it
Awesome videos. I got to fly a BA 747 from Boston to London back in the day. Best plane ever. On my way back I picked a 777 flight when they were new, and I actually go to hang out in the cockpit flying over the Atlantic that night!!
Just discovered your channel Alex and have to give you major props for the excellent quality of your reporting. I follow dozens of av bloggers but you rank way up there in terms of style, quality and content. Thank you for maintaining a brisk (and very eloquent!) pace, and keeping the video to a very reasonable time length while covering all the bases. So glad that you took the upgrade. The 'Queen of the Skies' is my fav aircraft bar none, and I have been lucky to fly various versions of it more than 20 times since the first time when I was 13 (Air France) in the 70s. My last one was in 2018 and like you, I went to great pains to schedule a flight on one from Amsterdam to Toronto on KLM. I love the Lufthansa 747-800i and flew on two in business class in 2011. I will say that the quality of the food both at dinner, but especially at breakfast seems to have declined somewhat based on what you showed us, since those two flights. Back then, we were served not only a full hot breakfast and luxury items at both meals(truffles, shellfish, etc.), but the quality and quantity was staggering. Was there an open snack bar available to business class passengers between meals? However I'm just grateful that Lufthansa (as well as a couple of airlines) continues to use the B747 in this present day. I hope that with economic conditions, more airlines may follow suite if they haven't scrapped theirs yet. Keep up the good work.
Interesting coincidence !!! I was flying around that time from Orlando to Frankfurt and our flight was delayed, because the plane was diverted to Miami and we left midnight with 5 hours delay. On our way back we flew business class on the upper deck . Unforgettable experience , worth every penny !!! the Queen of the skies has its own magic !!!
I’m doing the exact same thing this coming October. I just really want to fly on the last remaining 747-400, before Lufthansa (pretty much last commercial airline) stops flying them and putting their 747-400 in storage. I’m only going to Frankfurt for two days and coming back to Toronto in the 747-400 as well. It will help me mark off something on my bucket list as well. Wish me luck !
Great video, Alex. I was fortunate to fly about 200K miles on United 747-400s in the 1990s. Friendly flight crews and great service. I once woke from a nap to find the Captain's business card on the console with a handwritten note on the back "Thanks for flying with us today." I always looked forward to the sound of the 747s engines at takeoff and that little cup of warm mixed nuts!
This brought a smile to my face. I did the same thing with the Concorde when I was in my early thirties. It was a stretch financially but I never regretted doing it. Good for you! BTW, I am just an inch shorter than you and I prefer the current Lufthansa business seats. The new pods are generally too narrow in the shoulders for me and I end up with bruised shins from the tray table under the IFE screen. I don't really sleep well so why pay the money for it. Premium economy now provides me with better value for money.
I'm lucky enough to have flown on a couple of BA's 747-400s, they are just super comfortable and I will miss them. I hope a lot of them get a second life with freighter conversions.
Excellent review and great camera work. I really appreciate how you put the experience and not your ego front and center. Keep it up. It's so cool we live in an age where we can enjoy these videos and you can (hopefully!) make a living producing them :)
I NEED to do this at some point soon! I have never flown on a 747, and I know they will soon stop flying for good. I planned to fly on a KLM 747 from Toronto to Amsterdam in 2020, but that plan obviously got foiled!
Great video and content! Just booked myself a business class seat in the upper deck of the distinguished B744 for YYZ-FRA flying this July! Can’t wait to tick this off my bucket list and never regret missing out on flying in a 744
Super congrats AP! I flew a couple of these on Korean Air during my RTW in 2016, and once on KLM that same year I think, then again on Delta in 2017. So iconic! - Red
Thanks for the glimpse into the cockpit...as a private pilot, I'm always on the lookout for those special insights into aircraft! Back in 2012, I flew on an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 flight from Vancouver to Auckland, but sadly I was in Economy and the flight was fairly full. Still a thrill for me. Thanks for sharing your flight and the upper deck experience...
Thank you for sharing. It is nice flying on flying on the 747-400s in Business Class upper cabin. I have flown on the 747-400s to Hong Kong a few times before United Airlines had stop flying them. I do miss the 747s in general.
When I went to my home country of Cyprus, on the way back, from London to New York, my family and I flew a 747-400 with the rb211 engines. Such a smooth flight. Even over the Atlantic, the flight was smooth, stable and elegant. Too bad I slept most of the time because we had a 5 hour flight on an A-320 neo before that. I was really excited to fly this 747-400 and was a memory I would never forget. In 2022, the same route is flown by an old 777-200, one of my other favorite planes ✈️
Hi Alex: about 10 years ago I was on a United 747-400 from Lax to Syd and back to Lax. Upper deck business. Same experience but we had about 15 hours to explore the 747-400 ☺️ Definitely a great memory. Good for you to grab this flight!
Human innovation is amazing when you get to watch and feel something that big leave the bonds of gravity and soar way up into the clouds. We take all of this for granted. Great video. I want to get on somehow a 747SP before they are all gone.
I had multiple flights on 747’s mostly with Singapore airlines. Needless to say they were the be all to end all in flying back in the day. In those days there was no difference between upper deck and lower deck seats. Your choice. But frequent travellers knew that most airlines did not put children in the upper deck. There was also a storage area for extra hand luggage near the top of the stairs. Dump your case etc before sitting down and pick it up on your way out. Overall many fond memories except when we lost an engine immediately after take off from LHR and took over an hour to dump our fuel before we could land where we started. The plane shook like a wet dog coming out of a dip in a lake. The next day the pilots from the day before were dead heading back to Singapore and admitted how tough the plane was to handle with a missing engine. My favourites are the A380 and the Dreamliner particularly those used by Qatar and Emirates. Best of breed. Quiet, spacious interiors. Head room unlike other airplanes and Terminal 3 at Dubai the best. The gates are set up to walk right on to the upper deck on the 380. I avoid the 777. Noisy workhorse. Nothing special about it.
Congratulations for your first B747-400 flight. My first was on EVA AIR's. The plane was much older than this one but it was still an enjoyable flight.
Thanks for sharing, Alex !!! Huge fan , I grew up flying with my Dad who was pilot for Delta , so we flew lots of 727s, MD-88s, 757s ,767s and occasional L-1011, but never 747 as Delta didn’t fly them during 1980s-2010. My only flight on 747 was Qantas 747-400ER from LAX-Sydney and the return trip. What a long flight and what a treat to walk around that big machine . I also looked at booking a flight recently on 747-8i, MIA to Frankfurt, it’s definitely not cheap. But May have to do it in the next few years before even Lufthansa phases out the Queen
Yes, I recently flew the 744 from YVR-FRA. We got seated in the almost last row. However I have managed to fly it on the same route several times in all places including business class but only the down stairs part. Have also flown United 744 from BKK- Tokyo Narita. UA 742 IAD-LHR. Any many times with AC flying between Canada and the UK. Have always enjoyed flying the plane. I hope I will get another chance to fly it. LH flies the A359 between MUC- YVR my next endeavour.
i love the 747-400 and flown virgin atlantics version in 2018 in economy 1st floor in the aisle, awesome flight, awesome crew, im watching this on the day the final 747 was built, that being a dash 8F, had a good run, over half a century old plane series, definetly will be missed by many
Back in the early 1970's, my wife & I flew Paris to Montreal First Class when the upper deck was only a lounge with its own self serve bar and sofa's and chairs. Meals were not served up there. The Captain asked my wife to visit the cockpit which she did. I don't think there was Business Class in those days, only First and Economy. The plane continued on to Chicago. This was a daily flight. We could call a stewardess to come and see us, there were only about 6 passengers up there at any one time. About a year later we took the same flight to Chicago, connecting to TWA to Vegas. I also took the Concord from London to New York in 1976 or 77? The ticket was about $1500 one way Canadian. Alex, I enjoy your videos.
Beautiful reporting, I really enjoyed the pictures. As sad as it is, many young folks today will never experience how it is to fly in this majestic plane.
Used to fly KLM 747-400 a lot from Amsterdam to Toronto as a kid and didn't realize Lufthansa still used them here until yesterday I saw one departing Pearson while I was on a bus
Awesome, I flew on the upper deck of Asiana's 747-400 alot. Great experience. Last time I flew on one was 2019, it was a replacement plane for an A380 I booked that was changed to an A330 and finally the 747 a few days before the flight. I still haven't flown on an A380.
As someone who has worked flightline maintenance at MCO, I am not surprised about the diversion lmao, about par for the course MCO is a mess. I do really miss seeing those Lufthansa 747-400s though...
Great video Alex. I'm really enjoying your channel. I remember my first 747-400 flight, on QANTAS, Sydney to London via Bangkok in 1993. It was my first ever 747 flight and even in economy it seemed so spacious. A few others since then with the most memorable being in business class on the upper deck of a Malaysian 747-400 in 2002, from Kuala Lumpur to London. The last was an Air New Zealand 747-400 from Auckland to London via LAX in 2010, premium economy for the first leg and business class for the second leg. I really miss that aircraft and, whilst I've flown on a A-380 a few times, nothing quite matches the Queen of the Skies.
thanks for sharing as usual. I enjoy ur enthusiam for the iconic 747. myself i have been on 100/200/400 and look forward someday to travel on the 8i. i very much enjoy ur vlogs, tuvm.
Great video, I ticked the upper deck off my bucket list in 2001 in the same seat on the on Qantas to Singapore. and then ticked off First Class in Seat 1A on a Thai Airways flight from SYD-BKK twice in 2019. Great aircraft and will be missed.
Good for you Alex. There will be a day when people will say “Boy, I wish I’d flown on a 747 when I had the chance.”
Agreed. Sadly it was my regret after I missed an opportunity to fly on Concorde with an " ah...no problem...not like it's going anywhere."
@Mister Ed: Agree. Don't wanna live with that regret! At one time it was probably common place. However, today, their days are numbered, for sure.
@@rachelehrenberg9231 the boom supersonic is going to be I guess sort of similar which will be exciting
@@WK_Jetz At my age, I am not sure I'll be around to see it.
@@rachelehrenberg9231 Well, that sucks. It will be an amazing beauty
This guy is by far the most underrated aviation youtuber. I hope his channel grows so we can get more videos!
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I flew on 747s dozens of times between 1980 and 2017. My last 747 flight was on a Lufthansa 747-400 from Frankfurt to Vancouver. I also paid for an upgrade to the upper deck, as I was not feeling well. The 747 truly was/is the Queen of the Skies. I don’t think any newer aircraft matches the experience for long distance travel. It’s sad to think that most young travellers will never enjoy it, so I’m glad you did, Alex!
My first 747 flight was on North West Orient (NWO) in May 1970, from Honolulu to Tōkyō's Haneda. It became my plane of choice for transpacific flights on NWA and then Delta. I strenuously avoided JAL and United.
My last 747 flight was a Lufthansa passenger freight combi, the City of Bremen, between Tōkyō and Frankfurt for my sole trip to Portugal. Before that, my only experience with a combi was on KLM on my trip to Dublin.
In the decades in between, I flew numerous 747 flights on Japanese domestic MN mainline routes from Tōkyō north to Sapporo (for skiing) and south to Okinawa (for scuba diving).
My last flights on any plane were in February 2019, after which a hit-and-run and COVID got in the way. I don't see myself flying to Japan or Taiwan this year or even next. All I have in mind is business flights from Abbotsford to Kelowna over the next three years.
I think the A380 does absolutely match the Experience.
@@Golftime123 About my only chance to fly an A380 will be an ANA "honu" from Tōkyō to Honolulu on my next trip to Japan. Inshallah.
Wow! What a nice name you have it, I just let you know because my name is Gerardo Moreno from Mexico, have a nice day my friend from Canada. Ciao Gerarda. xoxoxo
A380 beets the 747 esay, its more comfortable
I too would like to thank you for this lovely review. I booked DC to Frankfurt, business class, Lufthansa upper deck, and I'm so excited!!! When you've flown coach your whole life, and treating oneself to business class for our once in a lifetime trip to Africa, and you see these snotty reviews, it really bums me out!! For those of us who work hard, and don't get to fly 1st or business class, pretty much never, this will be a heavenly dream compared to coach!!! So thank you for restoring my excitement for this flight.
this is the ultimate Avgeek bucket list ticker flight business class, upper deck, Lufthansa 747. LH is really becoming the Av geek airline with basically all the head line models in service
Absolutely , where else can you find A340-300,A340-600, A380, B747-400, B747-8i all in one airline
A family of 4, we flew in the upper deck of a n Air France 747 from Mru to Cdg in August1990. A fluke upgrade: the agent thought to keep the family together, and the only way to do that was to give us 2 and 2 upstairs ! What a treat. I witnessed a heated argument when the pilots were relieved in Dhahran, SArabia. Sadam had just invaded Kuwait and people were evacuating from the middle east in droves. The pilots did not relish the layover so close to the conflict zone. A big headache for the purser. They ended up staying on the flight to Paris.
I am a young kid and I’ve flown on the 747-400 without knowing. It was 2016 then and I flew with Cathay Pacific to Thailand. It was a extraordinary flight! But sadly, two months after that flight, Cathay Pacific retired the Queen. It’s so lucky for you to get on one now. Be proud of everytime you take this plane guys
Edit: it was actually a Thai Airways
I flew on the -400 twice in 2012 and 2014 when I was 2 and 4 years old. I don't remember anything from the first flight, but my family recorded some videos while we were on the 2014 flight and thus I remember it very well. The flight was on a now bankrupt Russian airline called Transaero and the plane was full economy so the upper deck was accessible as a place to relax. It was so cool to fly on the plane and as I now live in Australia I will most likely never fly on the plane again. It's good that you also had a similar experience to mine. Long live the queen of the skies, my favourite plane forever.
I flew on a delta 747-400 or a Delta 777 to grand cayman when I was very young and I barley remember it
Your comment reminded me of a trip to LA, Anaheim, and Vancouver that my family went on in 2000, and piecing the trip together years later, I did realise that the EVA Air flights we were on were mostly likely booked through codeshares with Singapore Airlines, so we likely flew with the latter to and from Taiwan and from there to Vancouver (and back from LA) with the former. Doing some quick research, it seemed both airlines were flying 747s around the time, and even if we did get on at least one, we were always on the lower decks due to having booked economy class seats.
(Edit: it was more likely in 2000 than in 2001 as I remembered I was 3 at the time and was just starting to be able to record long-term memories)
The only 747 I flew on was Air Canada 747-100 back in the late 70’s. Things sure have changed on the 747 since then lol. Thanks for taking us on the trip. Now you can say you’ve “been there done that”!
How was it flying on the 747?
You should have more subscribers. You don't nit-pick everything and made an excellent video that shows you are genuine and not doing it for views or flexing your internet wealth like so many others out there and in turn, got that golden ticket into the cockpit! Loved this video and look forward to seeing more amazing content!
Years ago I was flying from Calgary to Vancouver and for some reason I was put on a 747. It was only an hour but I was amazed at the size of it. At that time it was usually 737's so it was very cool to get a ride on a 747. I'm talking early 80's .....very cool.
My favorite airplane. Recently, I have flown on Lufthansa Flight 493 from Vancouver BC to Frankfurt in business class in the lower deck. The plane was D-ABVM. Like you, I finally got the single opportunity to fly on the queen of the skies.
What a beauty. I flew on one in 1998 when l was a child flying to Jamaica with my mom, it was a 747-100 with Air Canada and it was her last flight, at the last minute my mom and l got bumped up to first class ( before all this premium economy and business class stuff now) it was an amazing experience my mother and l still talk about it t this day. They were retiring her because she was 25 years old but apparently a cargo airliner had bought her but I'm not sure who. I have flown on so many other airplanes since then but 747 has left an indelible mark on me. It will forever be my favorite airplane and will always be the queen of the skies.👑
Lufthansa actually has a fairly modern 747 cabin, even for the -400! I've flew on the 747 many times and it's a really aged plane and most other airlines didn't modernize the cabin, so it has not been a good experience in recent memories. It's good that Lufthansa will send people away with some decent memories of the 747.
I'm flying to Budapest next week and I choose my route specifically because it gave the opportunity to fly on the 747-400, maybe for the last time. I'll be flying Lufthansa form Vancouver to Frankfurt. I've flown on the 747 many times over the years but they became quite rare over the past decade so needless to say i'm super excited .
"Pretty soon the breakfast tray appeared. And on it was a KERSAUNT, some fruit, and a plate of muesli which I'd be honest I've never heard of before." Spoken like a true Albertan.
I enjoyed your respectful silence during takeoff. And your comments!
The only 747 I flew on was a Wardair 747 from Calgary to Honolulu on my honeymoon. It was rush seating and somehow we managed to get the very front seats on the main floor. We wondered around the entire plane during the flight and even sat upstairs for a while. This was back when they left the door to the cockpit open sometimes, when airplanes had a smoking section, lol. Thanks for sharing!
Awww, Wardair! Flew on their 747's many times as a child and teen back in the day to the Caribbean and also to Hawaii when the 747 was used regularly to these destinations. Going on what will probably be my last 747 flight next week to Budapest before they retire them completely. 8(
She’s such a beauty. Sad that they are disappearing. Several years ago at the Abbotsford Airshow there were rides offered in a B17, $400 in the fuselage, 800 in the nose. I waffled then cheaped out. I have forever regretted that. So long story short, good on you for biting the bullet here and ticking off a bucket list item.
My wife and I just returned from Scotland, EWR-FRA and back was the 747-8, we flew upper deck what a treat. Gorgeous Airplane I have flown on everything the 74 is by far the best. I've wanted to fly on a 747 my entire life, next year is Italy we will be on the 747-8 JFK-FRA
My wife and I just flew to Frankfurt for that same reason. A 747-400 from Chicago and a 747-8i to Washington Dulles. What an amazing trip.
I did not know you got a Lufthansa 747 without First Class. Nice vid.
I'm glad that Lufthansa got their 747-400s out of storage. My first flight ever was in 1976 on a BOAC 747 from YYZ to LHR, I was 18. No sleep on that flight.
Just perfection.
Did the same thing last year, it was the -8 but better than nothing. Flying the 747 on the upper deck was a childhood dream that came true.
Great video ! The Boeing 747-400 or 800 are for me the most beautiful commercial airplanes ever designed. The graciousness of that iconic plane is beyond words… I was extremely lucky to fly as a 20 year old the beautiful KLM 747-400 upper deck first class from Montreal to Amsterdam… My family is in the
Travel agency business built by my father here in Montreal, Quebec…. He had connections and did what he could for me to experience alone a KLM first Class on the upper deck……. I love commercial airliners…. I’m now 53 yrs old…. But I did fly a Fokker F-28 Quebecair, did fly a DC-8 with CP-Air to Europe….. and did fly a 747 with Wardair to Hawaii in first class…. Also an Air Canada L1011 to Europe with my father in Business Class…. And I was young but did fly a DC-10……
Also an Air Canada DC-9 to Nova Scotia and then with the years an Airbus A340 to Italy , a Boeing Airbus A319, 321….. and of course some 737-300….
I would have loved to fly a Boeing 727…. Never did.
I would now love to experience flying a Boeing 777 or the Dreamliner … or a 747-800…… it’s strange but the Airbus A380 doesn’t do anything to me…..
Anyway great channel, love your flights…. Keep on flying !
do 747s even land at yul anymore?
So happy for you, Alex. What a flight to remember. It's a great feeling when a lifelong ambition comes true.
I really appreciate your enthusiasm . There are way too many aviation TH-camrs who are jaded and starky . Thanks
I love how this 747 is over 20 years old yet looks brand new
That's a thing with the 747-400 it is very redundant and comfortable no matter the age or treatment given
I was once on a 747 to Tampa, and due to over-booking, I was bumped upstairs to first class seating. Very enjoyable experience indeed.
Fantastic video! Really cool you got to fly a 747-400, and see the cockpit too! :D
I'm thrilled you got to experience the Queen of the Skies, Alex! I too had plans for my first 747 flight in 2020. I was able finally to fly on LH's 747-400 from FRA to YYZ this past April, and like you, spent the extra to able to sit upstairs in the "hump". Seat 85K ... that view! A dream of mine since seeing my first 747 in the 1970's. Thank you as always for sharing.
A few years back just before the pandemic I tried to find your video spot at The Vancouver airport. This plane was coming in for a landing and I got great video of it landing. Needless to say I was very excited.
I managed to get myself a ticket on both the upper deck of a Lufthansa 747-8 and a380, im so excited. I hope there's no equipment swap last minute. This video was awesome and has only made me even more hyped
Wow! Thanks for taking us along for the ride Alex! I flew on the Qantas 747-400 LA to Brisbane in 2016 and loved every moment of it.
You only barely made it… it’s sad they ended it’s service in 2020
I would have gone for the upgrade also! Upper deck 747 is definitely a bucket list item for any avgeek.
I got upper deck on 847-8 EWR-FRA. This Avgeek enjoyed every second. I took more pics of the 74 than I did on our vacation destination
@@jasoncentore1830 Congrats!
Majestic aircraft. Iconic. Unforgettable. Flew on several different airlines, Air Canada, BA, British Caledonian( remember them) Saudi, Alitalia, & KLM. Differing services, same sublime aircraft.
Thanks!
YAY! You flew the Queen!
I had the pleasure of flying on the 747 a handle full of times with 3 different operators. Seeing this aircraft and flying it is always a treat! I unfortunately haven’t been on any A340’s but I see those are up and flying for Lufthansa and Swiss. Time to splurge on a flight on one before they’re gone!
holy shit my grandparents live slightly south from pearson and the departing planes usually climb over it. I was there a few months ago ( I live slightly north of pearson) and watched a lufthansa 747-400 depart overhead. The registration of the plane i saw was the exact one that you flew in this video, D-ABTK. I think it was a few months after you filmed this but that is still so cool. I actually jumped when I saw the registration popped up i was in disbelief. I even have a video on my cell phone of it departing bc i figured I wouldnt see another -400 for a long time.
Flew 747s to Europe from the States in the 70's - 80's and early 90's. I booked a flight from Chicago to Frankfort in October - same as you I want to nake sure I get myabe my last chance on a Queen!! Thanks for the fun video.
I just flew in a boing 747-400. It was amazing in business class.
I was a Canadian expat for years, and loved flying this aircraft: especially upstairs. Thanks for sharing.
What a treat man! Your seat was perfect for outside viewing and watching those 2 beautiful GE turbofans!
Brilliant flight, Awesome you could have this experience now only if it was Vancouver for those extra few hours. Glad you enjoyed every inch
I am so jealous and envious! My first flight was on a 747 in 1972 from YYZ-YVR. I had opportunity to fly on 747's a few more times. I even got a seat on the upper deck, and as far as I know, it was not an upgrade!! I would love to fly on one once more, but I doubt it will happen. I guess I just had the flight vicariously through you!! Glad you got to do it!! Thanks!
Hi Alex I just started watching your videos great stuff I’m a recently retired flight attendant for 32 years I flew on the 747 for many years I miss it
Great video Alex! I’m glad that you got to fly on the 747-400!
Awesome videos. I got to fly a BA 747 from Boston to London back in the day. Best plane ever. On my way back I picked a 777 flight when they were new, and I actually go to hang out in the cockpit flying over the Atlantic that night!!
Fabulous experience. I could watch this video over and over and over. Keep exploring and making great videos.
Just discovered your channel Alex and have to give you major props for the excellent quality of your reporting. I follow dozens of av bloggers but you rank way up there in terms of style, quality and content. Thank you for maintaining a brisk (and very eloquent!) pace, and keeping the video to a very reasonable time length while covering all the bases.
So glad that you took the upgrade. The 'Queen of the Skies' is my fav aircraft bar none, and I have been lucky to fly various versions of it more than 20 times since the first time when I was 13 (Air France) in the 70s. My last one was in 2018 and like you, I went to great pains to schedule a flight on one from Amsterdam to Toronto on KLM. I love the Lufthansa 747-800i and flew on two in business class in 2011. I will say that the quality of the food both at dinner, but especially at breakfast seems to have declined somewhat based on what you showed us, since those two flights. Back then, we were served not only a full hot breakfast and luxury items at both meals(truffles, shellfish, etc.), but the quality and quantity was staggering. Was there an open snack bar available to business class passengers between meals? However I'm just grateful that Lufthansa (as well as a couple of airlines) continues to use the B747 in this present day. I hope that with economic conditions, more airlines may follow suite if they haven't scrapped theirs yet. Keep up the good work.
Interesting coincidence !!! I was flying around that time from Orlando to Frankfurt and our flight was delayed, because the plane was diverted to Miami and we left midnight with 5 hours delay. On our way back we flew business class on the upper deck . Unforgettable experience , worth every penny !!! the Queen of the skies has its own magic !!!
I’m doing the exact same thing this coming October. I just really want to fly on the last remaining 747-400, before Lufthansa (pretty much last commercial airline) stops flying them and putting their 747-400 in storage. I’m only going to Frankfurt for two days and coming back to Toronto in the 747-400 as well. It will help me mark off something on my bucket list as well. Wish me luck !
Great video, Alex. I was fortunate to fly about 200K miles on United 747-400s in the 1990s. Friendly flight crews and great service. I once woke from a nap to find the Captain's business card on the console with a handwritten note on the back "Thanks for flying with us today." I always looked forward to the sound of the 747s engines at takeoff and that little cup of warm mixed nuts!
As always... your videos are AMAZING Alex!
This brought a smile to my face. I did the same thing with the Concorde when I was in my early thirties. It was a stretch financially but I never regretted doing it. Good for you! BTW, I am just an inch shorter than you and I prefer the current Lufthansa business seats. The new pods are generally too narrow in the shoulders for me and I end up with bruised shins from the tray table under the IFE screen. I don't really sleep well so why pay the money for it. Premium economy now provides me with better value for money.
Have flown on 747s but never have I ever ascended the first-class stairs. Congrats on checking off this bucket list item!
I'm lucky enough to have flown on a couple of BA's 747-400s, they are just super comfortable and I will miss them. I hope a lot of them get a second life with freighter conversions.
Excellent review and great camera work. I really appreciate how you put the experience and not your ego front and center. Keep it up. It's so cool we live in an age where we can enjoy these videos and you can (hopefully!) make a living producing them :)
I NEED to do this at some point soon! I have never flown on a 747, and I know they will soon stop flying for good. I planned to fly on a KLM 747 from Toronto to Amsterdam in 2020, but that plan obviously got foiled!
I was booked on KLM combi and regular 400 in April 2020 but ofc covid 😭
Lufthansa recently announced a complete refurbish of their 747-8 cabin, and they are planning to keep them flying way into the 2030s.
Great video and content! Just booked myself a business class seat in the upper deck of the distinguished B744 for YYZ-FRA flying this July! Can’t wait to tick this off my bucket list and never regret missing out on flying in a 744
Super congrats AP! I flew a couple of these on Korean Air during my RTW in 2016, and once on KLM that same year I think, then again on Delta in 2017. So iconic!
- Red
Thanks for the glimpse into the cockpit...as a private pilot, I'm always on the lookout for those special insights into aircraft! Back in 2012, I flew on an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 flight from Vancouver to Auckland, but sadly I was in Economy and the flight was fairly full. Still a thrill for me. Thanks for sharing your flight and the upper deck experience...
I never got to go to the upper deck lounge; except during an Air Canada reveal event in the 70s; lucky you!
Lovely touch at the end, well done
Absolutely amazing report Alex! I can’t wait to fly on the same flight and the same seat in a week. Keep up the great work
Wonderful Alex that you got to fulfil
I recently drove to Toronto to watch one of these beauties land.
Thank you for sharing. It is nice flying on flying on the 747-400s in Business Class upper cabin. I have flown on the 747-400s to Hong Kong a few times before United Airlines had stop flying them. I do miss the 747s in general.
Yes, on United the nose cabin was First Class and I have loved First Class a few times as well. I have just gone a paid for the upgrade. It is great!!
When I went to my home country of Cyprus, on the way back, from London to New York, my family and I flew a 747-400 with the rb211 engines. Such a smooth flight. Even over the Atlantic, the flight was smooth, stable and elegant. Too bad I slept most of the time because we had a 5 hour flight on an A-320 neo before that. I was really excited to fly this 747-400 and was a memory I would never forget. In 2022, the same route is flown by an old 777-200, one of my other favorite planes ✈️
Another phenominal video!! Congrats on this awesome accomplishment!
Thank you for the video of the roll and climb. Other Tubers speed up that part , and for me, that kind of sucks. Great video.
When I saw this video I got so excited!
Hi again Alex. We could drink and SMOKE on all flights in those days.
Hi Alex: about 10 years ago I was on a United 747-400 from Lax to Syd and back to Lax. Upper deck business. Same experience but we had about 15 hours to explore the 747-400 ☺️
Definitely a great memory. Good for you to grab this flight!
Human innovation is amazing when you get to watch and feel something that big leave the bonds of gravity and soar way up into the clouds. We take all of this for granted. Great video. I want to get on somehow a 747SP before they are all gone.
I had multiple flights on 747’s mostly with Singapore airlines. Needless to say they were the be all to end all in flying back in the day. In those days there was no difference between upper deck and lower deck seats. Your choice. But frequent travellers knew that most airlines did not put children in the upper deck. There was also a storage area for extra hand luggage near the top of the stairs. Dump your case etc before sitting down and pick it up on your way out. Overall many fond memories except when we lost an engine immediately after take off from LHR and took over an hour to dump our fuel before we could land where we started. The plane shook like a wet dog coming out of a dip in a lake. The next day the pilots from the day before were dead heading back to Singapore and admitted how tough the plane was to handle with a missing engine. My favourites are the A380 and the Dreamliner particularly those used by Qatar and Emirates. Best of breed. Quiet, spacious interiors. Head room unlike other airplanes and Terminal 3 at Dubai the best. The gates are set up to walk right on to the upper deck on the 380. I avoid the 777. Noisy workhorse. Nothing special about it.
Awesome man!!! Great video!!!
Congratulations for your first B747-400 flight. My first was on EVA AIR's. The plane was much older than this one but it was still an enjoyable flight.
Thanks for sharing, Alex !!!
Huge fan , I grew up flying with my Dad who was pilot for Delta , so we flew lots of 727s, MD-88s, 757s ,767s and occasional L-1011, but never 747 as Delta didn’t fly them during 1980s-2010. My only flight on 747 was Qantas 747-400ER from LAX-Sydney and the return trip. What a long flight and what a treat to walk around that big machine .
I also looked at booking a flight recently on 747-8i, MIA to Frankfurt, it’s definitely not cheap. But May have to do it in the next few years before even Lufthansa phases out the Queen
Loved the fireworks as the 747 pulls into the gate!
Oh good i wasn't the only one who noticed that
My most memorable 747-400 was a LAX-AMS upper deck business class on KLM. So glad you got this chance.
Great plane. Flew it many many times to Asia in the 90's. Long flight.
Man that cockpit brings back some serious flight simulator 10 memories.
Yes, I recently flew the 744 from YVR-FRA. We got seated in the almost last row. However I have managed to fly it on the same route several times in all places including business class but only the down stairs part. Have also flown United 744 from BKK- Tokyo Narita. UA 742 IAD-LHR. Any many times with AC flying between Canada and the UK. Have always enjoyed flying the plane. I hope I will get another chance to fly it. LH flies the A359 between MUC- YVR my next endeavour.
Amazing to fly on the QUEEN ❤❤
Beautiful video 🤩😍
So cool that there are still some 747's doing passenger flights!
i love the 747-400 and flown virgin atlantics version in 2018 in economy 1st floor in the aisle, awesome flight, awesome crew, im watching this on the day the final 747 was built, that being a dash 8F, had a good run, over half a century old plane series, definetly will be missed by many
thank you for the amazing videos! you make running on a treadmill fly by!
Nice big checkmark on the bucket list...well done!!!!
Back in the early 1970's, my wife & I flew Paris to Montreal First Class when the upper deck was only a lounge with its own self serve bar and sofa's and chairs. Meals were not served up there. The Captain asked my wife to visit the cockpit which she did. I don't think there was Business Class in those days, only First and Economy. The plane continued on to Chicago. This was a daily flight. We could call a stewardess to come and see us, there were only about 6 passengers up there at any one time. About a year later we took the same flight to Chicago, connecting to TWA to Vegas. I also took the Concord from London to New York in 1976 or 77? The ticket was about $1500 one way Canadian. Alex, I enjoy your videos.
WOW amazing Alex especially the landing in FRA. From a fan in High River, AB
Beautiful reporting, I really enjoyed the pictures. As sad as it is, many young folks today will never experience how it is to fly in this majestic plane.
Used to fly KLM 747-400 a lot from Amsterdam to Toronto as a kid and didn't realize Lufthansa still used them here until yesterday I saw one departing Pearson while I was on a bus
Nice! My wife and I already booked tickets on the 747-400 upper deck for our return trip later this year. Can’t wait!
Awesome, I flew on the upper deck of Asiana's 747-400 alot. Great experience. Last time I flew on one was 2019, it was a replacement plane for an A380 I booked that was changed to an A330 and finally the 747 a few days before the flight. I still haven't flown on an A380.
As someone who has worked flightline maintenance at MCO, I am not surprised about the diversion lmao, about par for the course MCO is a mess. I do really miss seeing those Lufthansa 747-400s though...
Great video Alex. I'm really enjoying your channel. I remember my first 747-400 flight, on QANTAS, Sydney to London via Bangkok in 1993. It was my first ever 747 flight and even in economy it seemed so spacious. A few others since then with the most memorable being in business class on the upper deck of a Malaysian 747-400 in 2002, from Kuala Lumpur to London. The last was an Air New Zealand 747-400 from Auckland to London via LAX in 2010, premium economy for the first leg and business class for the second leg. I really miss that aircraft and, whilst I've flown on a A-380 a few times, nothing quite matches the Queen of the Skies.
thanks for sharing as usual. I enjoy ur enthusiam for the iconic 747. myself i have been on 100/200/400 and look forward someday to travel on the 8i. i very much enjoy ur vlogs, tuvm.
Great video, I ticked the upper deck off my bucket list in 2001 in the same seat on the on Qantas to Singapore. and then ticked off First Class in Seat 1A on a Thai Airways flight from SYD-BKK twice in 2019. Great aircraft and will be missed.