30 July 2009

Japan Airlines Retires 747-300 Fleet

Japan Airlines flew its last 747-300 revenue flight today as JO73. The 747-300 fleet was assigned to the JALWays arm of JAL, which flies most of the Hawai‘i flights, since the DC-10-40 fleet was retired a few years ago. This signals the end of the "747 Classic" (-100, -200, & -300) with the JAL passenger fleet. The 747-400s will continue serving Hawai‘i, even though JAL is reducing that fleet by 10%, and may see more 777-200s in the future.

JA812J (c/n 23612) was the 747-346 that was selected to fly JO73, according to the folks at JAL, was to be draped with a lei before departure. A proclamation by Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle (R), that today be "Japan Airlines Classic Jumbo Jet Day".

Unfortunately, I could not make today's ceremony, but a big mahalo to the folks at Japan Airlines for the information they provided.

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