United’s 747 flies into sunset
HONOLULU – United Airlines promised that its last-ever passenger flight on the Boeing 747 would be a memorable one. And was it ever.
There was a fly-by of downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, giving those onboard a milliondollar view of the Bay Area landmarks. Passengers pulled out polyester outfits like they were coming back in style. And a man proposed to his girlfriend on the jet’s upper deck.
The Tuesday flight from San Francisco to Honolulu — appropriately designated as United Flight 747 — officially sent United’s last remaining 747 jumbo jet into retirement. It was added as a special one-off flight, a chance for passengers to book one last flight on the icon of the Jet Age. Tickets sold out within hours.
It began with a festive gateside party ahead of the 11 a.m. departure from San Francisco International Airport. Flight attendants readied themselves at a nearby gate, all wearing throwback uniforms from the 1970s as part of United’s retro theme meant to evoke the 747’s debut at the airline in 1970.
There was plenty more entertainment to come on the five-plus hours of flying left before Flight 747 touched down in Honolulu, where Hawaii Gov. David Ige would arrive to greet passengers.
The airplane returned without passengers to San Francisco and then flew on to an airline “boneyard” in the desert for its retirement.