QF 744 retirement. Where is it at?

[C Patters]

Any update on when OEB will head to the desert for retirement?

[Rowan McKeever]

Last I heard, her last departure from Australia is early next week (Tuesday?). That may have changed, as these things do but particularly with JQ down a 787 and one of the 747s in mx in HKG.

[Erik H. Bakke]

So after this, there's only OJU and the ERs left, then?

[Fred C]

OEB will now be staying until at least the end of May. (Information subject to many variables)

[Dennis McLean]

I have just worked out the 744 fleet requirements for the first week of July (1st-7th) from the QF Schedules. 6 aircraft are required Daily with a seventh required every day except Tuesday. SYD/JNB Dly, SYD/SFO Dly, SYD/HND Dly, SYD/HNL 13567 and SYD/SCL 2357. On 5 nights an aircraft is on the ground overnight in SYD. The Monday aircraft stays till Wednesday, the 2 Thursday aircraft stay till Friday and the Saturday aircraft stays till Sunday.

Dennis

[James Smith]

Thanks for your research, Dennis.

One aircraft will be freed up when HNL 744 services cease from the end of August. However, an aircraft is required for the 20 day around the world 744 charter from 30 September to 19 October, 2019 and YVR services from 12 December, 2019.

Seven aircraft will therefore be needed until the end of January, 2020. Maybe the eighth aircraft will be retired when OEJ returns from maintenance around the end of May.

On the other hand, three 789s are due for delivery late this year and could free up more 744s for retirement. At this stage there is no change to any of the aircraft operating the current 744 routes in the QANTAS timetable through to April, 2020.

[Dennis McLean]

Hi James, thanks. I did look at the week of 16-22/12 and found 7 aircraft were needed. Dennis

[Kent Broadhead]

It's almost a pity that OEB is unlikely to see its 30th birthday. It must bump up the fleet age average noticeably on its own.

[Steve S... 2]

Am I correct to say that OEB will be the oldest Qantas 747 (at retirement date) ? ie nearly 30 years old.

[Dave Dale]

Unlikely, she’s currently 25 years young. I think OJM was the oldest at 26 years.