Another year is fast coming to an end for LAX, and we eagerly await what 2011 has in store for us. For Air New Zealand, 2011 marks the beginning of the end for its Boeing 747-400 fleet. After 20 years of continuous service flying its most important long haul routes, the -400 fleet will soon be replaced with brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The first of these 77W's was delivered to ANZ just last week, and will go into service in two weeks time. Within the next two years, 4 additional aircraft will replace the 747's on a one-by-one basis. With this, Air New Zealand joins the growing list of airlines replacing 747-400's with more modern and more fuel efficient 77W's.
We in Los Angeles see two ANZ 747's daily, and while we're excited to soon be receiving the new 77W aircraft on the Auckland-Los Angeles-London route, we're also a bit sad to see the 747's slowly go. The 747 is a beautiful aircraft, and the Air New Zealand livery gives it a classy look. With New Years just around the corner, and this my last post of 2010, I wanted to offer the first of many farewells to the ANZ 747 fleet. The aircraft have been a wonderful sight to see at LAX for spotters and photographers alike, and will come to be sorely missed. There's no word yet on what will become of the aircraft after their retirement by the airline, but they'll hopefully find a home and additional use elsewhere.
Below, one smart looking Air New Zealand 747-400 to close out the year. Happy New Year to everyone!
1 comments:
Hi JC
I'm crew with Air New Zealand and I can't tell you how delighted I am to see your hommage to the "Seven-Four".
The 777-200 is an efficient aircraft to work with and I'm looking forward to working on the 777-300ER. But no other aircraft comes close to the sheer awesomeness of the 'Seven Four'.
Everything about the 747 is iconic - it's sound (there's nothing like a RB211 howling), it's graceful movement, it's glamorous stairway, it's cart lift between decks, and sheer dependability.
There are so many design features that are superior to later model aircraft. For example, the cabin doors are perfect, I've never understood why Boeing didn't standardise the design for the 767 and 777. The 747 doors can be moved with a single finger and have a window that can easily be seen out of.
Crew and passengers love the 747. It's that simple.
I believe that those designed this aeroplane had passion for their creation. You can see it in the 747's shape and its power. It looks like a thoroughbred that just wants to gallop into the sun.
So I will be sad to see her go, but, the Queen of the Skies will never be dead.
Long live the Queen.
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