SQ B747-400 withdrawal thread

[zvezda]

SQ is disposing all the B744s that were leased. Those that they owned they are keeping them as long as they can. This is what i know from my sources in Tech services.

They've all been sold off already, with delivery dates in the future and some lease-back arrangements.

[huaiwei]

As for SMU, i think it was the 1000th 747 frame and also partly for the same reason as i mentioned.

Maybe it is high time SQ sets up a museum about itself....by keeping SMU and converting it's interiors into one!

[RJA]

I've amended the list, I'm hoping it's correct.

Has SQ retired any more 744s since 9V-SMW? Is 9V-SMU next for retirement? And if 9V-SPB is currently being retired by SQ then which airline will be the next operator?

Cheers.

[lame38.5]

hihi, SPB is being returned to lessor, any news about the nx airline operating it, i'll post back soon.

[zvezda]

When was 9V-SPB's last flight?

[kelvgoh]

i'm happy to be proven wrong but it should be a SQ865 on 16 sept.

[Rejuvenated]

I'm really going to miss the Megatops once their days are numbered. IMO there has never been a more stylish looking aircraft from the exterior built than the 744s and the bird logo looks perfect on this type of machine.

[zvezda]

I'm really going to miss the Megatops once their days are numbered. IMO there has never been a more stylish looking aircraft from the exterior built than the 744s and the bird logo looks perfect on this type of machine.

I think the 747-8 is much nicer looking than the 747-400.

[Nick C]

9V-SPB will be re-registered as 4X-ELE for El Al. Will be ferried via BKK as LY084 on 28/10.

Source: Anet

[sumitsan]

I also think the Boeing 747-400 is the nicest looking aircraft in service today. It's too bad that they will be phased out in the next 3-4 years. I've always liked the 747s, even from the 100s and 200s. I think my first flight on a Boeing 474 was an SQ flight on a 747-200 in 1979, according to my parents. I was a little sad when SQ sold their final ones, but was a lot more sad when they retired all the Big Top 747-300s. The 747-300 is my second most favorite plane after the -400s. I was fortunate to go on the SQ 747-300 once on a rare Kl-Singapore flight back in 1991.

I hope SQ keeps the 747-400s as long as they can, and I also hope that if they are going to phase them out, they should at least replace them with the 747-8, which should be released in 2010 or 2011. I prefer the 747-8 to the A380 in terms of looks. And at the same time, they should continue the tradition if keeping a 747 in the fleet, which they've had for the last 35+ years.I do agree that the 747-8 look nice, but I still like the wing tips of the 747-400.

Long line Boeing 747 !!!

[sumitsan]

P.S. On the fourth line, 474 should've been 747

[Nick C]

I hope SQ keeps the 747-400s as long as they can, and I also hope that if they are going to phase them out, they should at least replace them with the 747-8, which should be released in 2010 or 2011. I prefer the 747-8 to the A380 in terms of looks. And at the same time, they should continue the tradition if keeping a 747 in the fleet, which they've had for the last 35+ years.I do agree that the 747-8 look nice, but I still like the wing tips of the 747-400.

Long line Boeing 747 !!!

Last 744 will leave the fleet in 2011

747-8i in SQ livery will only be a dream. It doesn't feature in SQ's future fleet plans.

[sumitsan]

I heard from a couple of SQ maintenance staff ans one pilot in Singapore that they may very well replace the SQ 747-400Fs Mega Arks with the the 747-8 F. Even though there official weren't any talks, the chances of this happening are likely. No word on the 747-8 passenger version in SQ livery, but they can still see it happening, although, they'll probably have most of the long haul flights with the A380s.

[zvezda]

The two candidates for SQ's next freighter are the 777F and the 747-8F.

The 747-8I looks unlikely now. What would it replace? The WhaleJets and 777-300ERs are too new to replace given that SQ are happy with them. Five of the 777-300s are being replaced by A330-300s. Replacing a 777-200ER with a 747-8I is far-fetched, as the 787, A350, or 777-300ER are all better candidates for such missions and already in the SQ fleet.

That leaves only growth as a reason to add the 747-8I. Unless SQ were to need ten or more, it would make more sense to add to either or both of the 777-300ER or WhaleJet subfleets.

[kelvgoh]

Noticed that 9V-SMU hasn't flown in December at all. Any updates on her status?