The Boeing 747, once a popular choice among airlines for long-haul flights, is slowly disappearing from the skies. The mammoth jet is being phased out in favor of more efficient widebodies, with only four global passenger carriers still operating the 747 in 2026.
Air China, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Russia’s Rossiya Airlines are the remaining airlines that operate the 747. However, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows a significant decline in scheduled 747 flights, with only 16,500 flights planned for 2026 compared to nearly 70,000 flights in 2019 before the pandemic.
The decline in 747 flying is part of a broader industry trend as airlines shift towards more cost-effective twin-engine widebodies like the Airbus A350 and upcoming Boeing 777X. Lufthansa, which operates roughly two dozen 747s, is expected to cover 21 routes from Frankfurt in 2026, with at least 11,000 flights scheduled. The airline is also investing in new seats for its 747 fleet, indicating a commitment to keeping the aircraft in service.
Air China, Korean Air, and Rossiya Airlines will also continue to operate the 747 in 2026, with at least 4,600, 1,150, and 1,000 flights scheduled, respectively. While Korean Air has announced plans to phase out its 747 fleet, the winter schedule for 2026 has not yet been finalized. Rossiya, a subsidiary of Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, restarted 747 operations in 2024, likely to take advantage of the aircraft’s high passenger capacity.
Among all the 747 routes in service, Air China operates both the longest and shortest routes. The route to New York covers 6,838 miles in about 17 hours, while the one to Shanghai covers 667 miles in two and a half hours. The latter route was among the world’s top 10 busiest routes in 2025, according to data from OAG.
The iconic 747 ended production in 2022, as its four-engine economics can no longer compete with newer twin-engine widebodies. Many airlines, including British Airways and Qantas, retired their 747s during the pandemic due to low passenger demand. The remaining four operators are slowly phasing out their 747 fleets by selling or scrapping them.
In May 2024, Korean Air sold five 747-8is to US defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp. for $674 million. These aircraft will replace the US Air Force’s aging E-4B “doomsday” planes, which serve as airborne command centers during national emergencies. Lufthansa also sold two 747s to the US Air Force in December 2020 for $400 million, to be used for training and spare parts for the next presidential fleet.
In conclusion, while the 747 may still be operational with a few airlines