The iconic Boeing 747, otherwise known as the 'Queen of the Skies,' has had a venerable run since the aircraft was first rolled out in 1968. Since then, millions of passengers have had the opportunity to fly on the jumbo jet, with more than 1,500 examples having been produced across all of the family's different variants. However, did you know that some of the first Boeing 747s are still operating?

Military operators have the oldest examples

According to data from ch-aviation.com, the oldest active Boeing 747 family aircraft left in the world today is a 747-100SF that flies for the Iranian Air Force. Bearing registration 5-8103, this veteran quadjet is 52.86 years old and flew for TWA from 1970 to 1975 before being converted for usage as a freighter. The Iranian Air Force also has a 47.21-year-old 747-200CM at its disposal (5-8106).

Meanwhile, the United States Air Force flies four converted Boeing 747-200s that rank very highly in age. Registered as 73-1676, 73-1677, 74-0787, and 75-0125, these aircraft range from 50.17 to 48.29 years old. These aircraft are designated as E-4Bs and used as strategic command and control military aircraft.

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A Boeing E-4B Landing In Vilnius.
Photo: Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock

Two other notable converted Boeing 747-200s operated by the USAF are its pair of VC-25 transport aircraft. These are known for being used to transport the country's President, and when doing so, they use the famous callsign, 'Air Force One.' Registered as 82-8000 and 92-9000, they are 36.24 and 35.78 years old.

Vintage freighters

When it comes to non-military operators of older Boeing 747 freighters, we return to Iran to find the very oldest. Registered as EP-SIH, Saha Airlines has a 747-200F that clocks in at 45.71 years old. The aircraft has spent its entire career in Iran, having also served the nation's Air Force and flag carrier Iran Air.

Elsewhere in the country, Iran Air's EP-CD is a 34.9-year-old 747-200CM that previously flew for Martinair and Ankair before joining the Iranian national airline in 2008. Ch-aviation shows that, at the time of leaving Martinair, it had already racked up more than 86,000 flight hours. It has surely added plenty more since.

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A Kalitta Air Boeing 747-400F flying in the sky.
Photo: Soos Jozsef/Shutterstock

Regarding cargo examples of the 747-400, US carrier Kalitta Air has the three oldest active examples at its disposal. Registered as N740CK, N741CK, and N742CK, these 747-400BCF aircraft are 33.92, 33.86, and 33.66 years old respectively. The first two started at Malaysia Airlines, and the third at Japan Airlines.

What about passenger-carrying examples?

As far as active Boeing 747s configured to carry passengers are concerned, the oldest example is a short-fuselage 747SP that bears the registration VP-BLK. This aircraft, which sports a VIP configuration of 50 seats, is operated by Sands Aviation for Las Vegas Sands, having previously flown for Trans World Airlines. It is 43.7 years old, having first taken to the skies in December 1979.

Meanwhile, Iranian carrier Mahan Air has the oldest active Boeing 747 with a regular passenger configuration. Registered as EP-MEE, this 32.94-year-old 747-400 has 434 economy and 26 business class seats. According to data from FlightRadar24.com, it is typically deployed on flights to Dubai and Moscow.

What are your favorite memories of the Boeing 747? How many jumbo jets have you flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: ch-aviation.com, FlightRadar24.com

  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker