KLM is set to retire its last two Boeing 747s on Sunday. The airline had initially planned to put the aircraft into retirement earlier this year. However, they were brought back into service to act as makeshift freighters.

Around the world, aircraft have faced a speedy retirement due to the current drop in passenger numbers. No aircraft type has felt this impact more than the Boeing 747. Indeed, British Airways, Qantas, and now KLM have all retired their entire 747 fleets early. Meanwhile, Lufthansa has sent a handful of 747-400s to early retirement. While most retired aircraft are heading to the scrap heap, some are living on as museum pieces.

KLM retirement

According to nu.nl, KLM will be retiring its final two Boeing 747-400s on Sunday. Recently, British Airways held a special celebration to send off its last two 747-400s based at Heathrow. The airline had planned to complete a notable one-off simultaneous departure on both parallel runways. However, the good old British weather threw a spanner in the works.

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It seems as though KLM won't treat its Boeing 747s to a double arrival. According to nu.nl, PH-BFV will be the first aircraft to return to KLM's Amsterdam Schiphol hub with an arrival time of 16:40. PH-BFW will arrive slightly later at 20:50. The publication cites a KLM spokesperson saying that both aircraft will land in Schiphol with the flight number KL 747.

KLM, Boeing 747, Cargo Flights
KLM has operated over 100 flights with cargo loaded into the passenger cabin of its last 747s. Photo: KLM

Simple Flying has contacted KLM for comment on the story. It will be updated as appropriate.

Falling out of love with four engines

Around the world, airlines are slowly out of love with four-engined aircraft. The loss of love for such aircraft isn't a crazy new phenomenon. Indeed, long before the current situation began, many of the airlines above had already outlined plans to retire the aircraft. The passenger Boeing 747-8 was a bit of a flop with orders only coming in from three airlines.

As such, the global fleet of passenger 747-400 aircraft is beginning to age. Instead of buying the newer version, many airlines have opted to purchase the more fuel-efficient twinjet replacements, such as the Airbus A350. With the need for full fleets diminished for the coming years, most airlines realized that they wouldn't end up using these aircraft again before they were naturally retired. As such, it made sense to get rid of them now.

Lufthansa, Airbus A340, Teruel
Lufthansa has many of its A340s in storage. Photo: Getty Images

However, it isn't only the Queen of the Skies that is being affected by the current crisis. Many Airbus A340s have suffered the same fate. Even the new Airbus A380 has been affected. The giant of the skies was delivered in 2007. Yet, despite most aircraft being under ten years old, Air France has already scrapped its entire fleet. Meanwhile, Lufthansa has so far retired half of its 14-strong fleet, although the remainder is unlikely to return to the skies.

Have you flown on one of KLM's Boeing 747s? Let us know your story in the comments!