Summary
When the Boeing 747 came onto the scene in the late 1960s, it would unlock great potential in air travel. Suddenly airlines were able to carry huge numbers of passengers over great (or even short) distances in comfort, and at affordable prices.
The early Boeing 747s are known today as the ‘classics’. This term encompasses the Boeing 747-100, -200B, -300 and SP models.
The 747 was incredibly popular with airlines across Asia and the Far East, many of which were carrying large numbers of passengers between their growing hubs and major airports. The jumbo jet was perfect for this role.
Here are the Asian airlines which flew these classic Boeing 747s
Air China
747-200B and 747SP
Â
Air India
Â
All Nippon Airways
747-100, -200B
Â
CAAC
747SP, -200B
Â
Cathay Pacific
747-200B, -300
Â
China Airlines
747-100, SP, -200B
Â
Garuda Indonesia
747-200B
Â
Japan Air Lines
747-100, SP, -200B, -300
Â
Japan Asia Airlines
747-100, -300
Â
Korean Air
747SP, -200B, -300
Â
Malaysia Airlines
747-100, -200B, -300
Â
Mandarin Airlines
747SP
Â
Orient Thai Airlines
747-100, -200B, -300
Â
Philippine Airlines
747-200B
Â
Singapore Airlines
747-200B, -300
Â
Thai Airways International
747-200B, -300
Â
Into the 1990s, airlines across Asia started to introduce the Boeing 747-400 which became a very popular replacement for older models in the region. Nevertheless, the 747 classics soldiered on into the early 2000s.
Â
Lost Airline Colours of Asia
Our new book, Lost Airline Colours of Asia is a full-colour guide to the airlines across Asia and the Far East that have been lost, or changed their liveries over the years. See pictures of classic aircraft, long-lost special liveries, and airlines from the past.
Order Today
Â
Â
4 comments
Hi Matt, managed to fly on MH 747-400s; CATHAY 200/300 and 400 versions, and SQ 200/300 versions.
Lucky enough to do jump seat on SQ and CX on two occasions, departure out of HKG Kai Tak was spectacular !
Have photographed most of the others listed there.
Hi Matt
I think that’s my Cathay 747-300 picture from Flickr. You’re welcome to use it but I would like a credit as it’s copyright.
Thanks
Alan
Hi Alan, I’m so sorry. I embedded it from Flickr and in the past this automatically added the photographer name and link back to your Flickr. I’m not sure why it didn’t happen this time. I’ve added your name and copyright notice now. Thanks for your understanding and allowing me to use it!
Matt
Why have you excluded Pakistan International Airlines from the list? Between 1976 and 2015 PIA operated three variants of the Jumbo Jet.
747-200
747-200 Combi
747-300