With its iconic hump and swept wings carrying four enormous engines, the 747 is probably the most recognizable aircraft in the world. It has an indelible place in aviation history as the Queen of the Skies. It’s also expensive to operate and maintain compared to newer generation, twin engined long-haul aircraft. Most airlines have long-retired their 747 fleet, but there are a few still keeping the Queen going. We explored Flightradar24 data to see which airlines and routes give you the best chance of climbing aboard this iconic aircraft today.
A month in the life of the Queen of the Skies
Flightradar24 tracked a total of 3,269 passenger flights operated by the Boeing 747 in May 2025. Of these, 2,232 were operated by Boeing 747-8 aircraft and the remaining 1,037 by Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
67% of those flights were operated by Lufthansa (LH/DLH). Air China (CA/CCA) and Korean Air (KL/KAL) also operated a significant number of flights. Other, less frequent operators included Max Air (VM/NGL) and Rossiya (FV/SDM).
Top 747 passenger operators – May 2025
Airline Number of flights
Lufthansa (DLH) 2180
Air China (CCA) 498
Korean Air (KAL) 362
Max Air (NGL) 124
Rossiya (SDM) 48
Lufthansa (LH/DLH) has by far the largest fleet of passenger 747s in the world. As of June 2025 it operates 27 aircraft, made up of 19 Boeing 747-8 aircraft and 8 Boeing 747-400 aircraft. All based in Frankfurt (FRA), these aircraft operate flights to destinations in the Americas, and select flights to India.
Whilst Lufthansa had the highest total number of flights in May, the most frequently occurring 747 passenger flights were Korean Air’s route from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Los Angeles (LAX) and Air China’s domestic route between Beijing (PEK) and Shenzhen (SZX) .
Route Flights Operator
ICN–LAX 118 Korean Air
LAX–ICN 118 Korean Air
SHA–PEK 78 Air China
PEK–SHA 74 Air China
PEK–CAN 62 Air China
The hardest working jets
Our data shows that B-2447 operated the highest number of flights in May. This aircraft is operated by Air China and was built in January 1995. The aircraft almost exclusively operates domestic flights within China, most commonly flights between Beijing (PEK) and Shenzhen (SZX). This aircraft operated 136 flights in May, and is closely followed by two other company 747s (B-2487 and B-2486) which operated 126 and 114 flights respectively.
So, how do I fly on a Boeing 747?
In Europe/the Americas – Fly with Lufthansa, from Frankfurt (FRA), to Buenos Aires (EZE), San Francisco (SFO), Mexico City (MEX), and São Paulo (GRU).
In Asia – Fly with Korean Air from Seoul Incheon (ICN) on flights to Atlanta (ATL), Hong Kong (HKG), Los Angeles (LAX), Tokyo Narita (NRT), and Taipei (TPE). You can also fly with Air China between Beijing (PEK) and Shenzhen (SZX), or between Beijing and New York (JFK).
Cover photo: Kevin Cargo, JetPhotos
44 Responses
if you write a piece then do research. Mahan regularly flies with Boeing 747-400 from Tehran to Kish Island and Mashad.
Don’t be so rude. Thank them for the obvious research they did, then politely mention that they missed an airline and route.
Well said
Well said.
Ditto.
Yes, ditto
This is not a route available to many and maybe why it was omitted.
According to the British High Court, three 747-400s were unlawfully taken by Mahan Air from their real owner, Blue Sky Airlines, in 2008, using forged bills of sale. When ordered to bring the aircraft back to Europe, Mahan claimed it could not do so because it was being investigated by the Iranian authorities for fraud, and the aircraft had to be kept in Iran.
Exclusion noted.
Are you really going to go to Iran to fly on a 74? I think not!
And 747-400 on LH 492/493 FRA-YVR (Vancouver)
Just returned from booked Lufthansa flights on B747-8 because I’d never flown on it. Sadly, it was substituted by B747-400 which was definitely showing its age.
Even worse, GF/Specially ordered and confirmed meals were not on board the long flight to Singapore and back.
£41 offered as compensation!
You are lucky. I wish I could ride a 747.
You are lucky. I wish I could ride a 747. it is so cool and big. I Was so so young when I last flew on it.
You left out Lufthansa’s daily flights to Johannesburg.
It’s on the map but did not make the list because of its infrequency. I don’t think their goal was to identify *every* flight of this iconic jet
Ah, the 747. Built back when you could still trust Boeing. Best passenger aircraft Boeing ever built.
What about the 787? Brilliant safety record. Just lost the first one with the Air India crash.
Yes, however, perhaps not Boeing generally—but more the ‘747 Incredibles’ (including engineers like Joe Sutter) who designed numerous redundancies into the 747’s bones, back in the 1960s. The 747 variants I’ve spent most time on were the Royce equipped SP-38 and the -236. I’m trying to plan out a trip from Sydney to Singapore, picking up the 747-830 (or -430) to Frankfurt, drive Germany in a Mercedes-Benz, then off to the Americas on the -830 🙂
Also Lufthansa 403 – Newark (EWR) to FRA. It flies over my house often on its climb out.
Lufthansa’s 747-8s fly daily to Houston, TX
Lufthansa actually flies from Dulles Airport (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) daily on a 747-8.
Also, daily FRA-MIA, LH
Atlas Air N263SG was in EGCC 11/12/06/25.
Flew JFK-FFM and back on a Lufthansa 744 last month. Great ride!
Lufthansa also fly’s a 747 into Boston MA.
Another routes are : Frankfurt to Toronto ,Frankfurt to Detroit ,thanks for this article.
There is also a daily flight by Lufthansa Frankfurt to Tokyo-Haneda
There is also a daily flight by Lufthansa Frankfurt to Tokyo-Haneda
And the daily from FRA to ORD.
Lufthansa has a daily 747-830 Flight between Houston and Frankfurt.
LH 455 from SFO to FRA D-ABYN was the best flight Ive ever had!
“Niedersachsen”, I’ve flew this beauty on EZE FRA.
JUMBO forever!
It’s been a long time since I had the last of many 747 flights. BA (B744) LGW-LUN via HRE and JNB-LHR in 2001 to see the total solar eclipse from Lusaka. It was one of the last, if not the last, BA flight to land in HRE before a suspension of flights for a period due to increasing unrest in Zimbabwe.
Well said!
Lufthansa flies -8 regularly from IAD to Frankfurt
I want ever forget my 1st flight on the “Queen of the Air” flying from NYC to Athens inn 1980. The 747 had the upstairs bar with piano. The service was in credible, felt like I was onboard a flying cruise ship, and I was in the coach section.
Forgot to mention Rossiya Airlines: for example, a pleasant flight on board B744 from SVO to UUS and vv…
Present in the flight sched for now.
LH summer B744 FRA-YVR and FRA-YYZ
The first flight of my life was with a B747 , ” when I was young ” 😆 : on SYRIAN Airlines , from PARIS to NEW- DELHI ( India ). Unforgettable!
Looks like there’re much more options to fly Jumbos as presented.
I remember seeing my father off at Milan MXP airport in December 1977, departing to Caracas. The plane was supposed to be a DC10-30, but it was replaced with an Alitalia 747-100 and I was so excited to see it take off from the airport terrace! Only three windows on the above deck for that series.
Also I recently found out an Alitalia newspaper ad of the first 70s boasting to be the first carrier to fly 747s (100 of course) on the route FCO – MXP – JFK.
Are there any DC-10s still flying? I last flew on one from Heathrow to Kinshasa in 1980 (Air Zaire)
As far as I can tell there are only 8 genuine DC10s left flying. 1 is a cargo aircraft in Bolivia, another is the current Project Obis eye hospital and the other 6 are fire-bombing tankers in the USA.
Any MD11s? Never flown on anything other than a 777, 787, a350 or a320. Really want to fly on 747, MD11, a340 and a380.