Tears, no cheers for last Qantas 747

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Thu Jul 23, 2020

There were tears no cheers for last Qantas 747 to depart Australia on Wednesday, July 22nd. Across the wide parched land that is Australia, emotions were raw as Aussies said goodbye to a lady and dear friend who had perhaps brought some of us to a new life Downunder, or taken us to the world, or rescued us from disasters or maybe all three. The Boeing 747 has always been there faithfully serving us and all told 77 have flown for Qantas over almost five decades. Even thou her time has come and technology in the form of more fuel-efficient aircraft has caught up, it is still a wrench to say farewell.
Pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and passengers all loved her dearly. Like her designer, Boeing's Joseph Sutter, she was humble, faithful, honest, and had integrity in spades. We will miss her and it will never be the same again as the 747 had something very special - she had spirit, the spirit of her designer. READ: A bittersweet farewell
Image
Joseph Sutter in 1969
Image
Joe Sutter in later years.
Image
The crew for the last flight.
Image
The two captains are cheered on board
https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSsydney/videos/2995819630466074/?t=9
https://twitter.com/i/status/1285822484210528256 Here is Sam Chui's tribute. https://twitter.com/i/status/1285998428929974272 Here is the final water cannon salute https://twitter.com/i/status/1282833124645208064
Here is the farewell from Airservices Australia; https://twitter.com/i/status/1286098656555237376 Here is the final 747 drawing the Flying Kangaroo in the sky. https://twitter.com/i/status/1285873193840816130
Image
Qantas taxied the 747 passed thousands of spectators for one final photo before backtracking to take-off.
 

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

Comments

No comments yet, be the first to write one.

Latest news and reviews

View more
Miami Prime Air crash: Its service history spans three continents and seven operators, could this be a factor?
Airline News

Miami Prime Air crash: Its service history spans three continents and seven operators, could this be a factor?

Sep 8, 2026

Airline Ratings
Cathay Pacific vs British Airways: which airline wins Hong Kong to London?
Airline News

Cathay Pacific vs British Airways: which airline wins Hong Kong to London?

Sep 8, 2026

Sharon Petersen
The biggest competitor to Qantas domestic business class? Qantas itself.
Airline News

The biggest competitor to Qantas domestic business class? Qantas itself.

Sep 3, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Qantas Economy Plus, why it's worth the fuss
Airline News

Qantas Economy Plus, why it's worth the fuss

Sep 1, 2026

Sharon Petersen

Featured articles

View more
Cathay Pacific vs British Airways: which airline wins Hong Kong to London?
Airline News

Cathay Pacific vs British Airways: which airline wins Hong Kong to London?

Sep 8, 2026

Sharon Petersen
The biggest competitor to Qantas domestic business class? Qantas itself.
Airline News

The biggest competitor to Qantas domestic business class? Qantas itself.

Sep 3, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Cabin safety will lead the agenda at IATA WSOC in Istanbul
Industry News

Cabin safety will lead the agenda at IATA WSOC in Istanbul

Jul 24, 2026

Airline Ratings
From First Circuit to Full Flight Deck: How MOZA Built a Flight Sim Ecosystem That Grows With You
Airline News

From First Circuit to Full Flight Deck: How MOZA Built a Flight Sim Ecosystem That Grows With You

Aug 18, 2026

Airline Ratings