Iconic Air India Boeing 747 Retires in Style as “Queen of Skies”.

Air India’s iconic Boeing 747, which was previously used to transport VVIPs such as Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Vice-Presidents, took its final flight out of Mumbai’s international airport. The departure marked the end of an era for the aircraft, known as the “queen of the skies,” that was once utilized for long-haul international flights.

The airplane is en route to Panefield in the US, where it is expected to be disassembled and scavenged for parts. The recent flight of this specific Boeing 747 holds significance as it is one of the four aircraft of its kind that Air India operated, with the last one ceasing operations four years ago.

During the farewell flight, the pilots carried out a “Wing Wave,” an aviation tradition typically reserved for retiring or concluding flights. Across the globe, airlines are phasing out the Boeing 747 in favor of newer and more efficient aircraft.

Air India’s association with the Boeing 747 dates back to March 22, 1971, when it received its first delivery of the aircraft. A report by The Economic Times states that the four Boeing 747-400 airplanes have been acquired by US-based AerSale, a supplier of aftermarket commercial jet engines and parts.

Notably, Air India’s 747s had not been in operation since 2021 and were parked at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport prior to this final farewell flight.