Air India said goodbye to a Boeing 747- one of its last aircraft: Know the Reason: Air India said goodbye to one of its final “Queens of the Skies,” the recognizable Boeing 747, early on Monday, April 22. For almost fifty years, this aircraft was used by the TATA-owned airline for evacuation, VVIP, and commercial flights. The airline, which started flying in 1932, lost one of its most recognizable planes.
The Air India double-decker plane departed from the Mumbai airport on its way to the United States, bringing an end to a period distinguished by a “wing wave” maneuver.
A “wing wave”—what is it?
The “wing wave,” which is typically executed by retreating aircraft, is a dip of the aircraft from side to side in the air. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Air India used the Boeing 747 on two medical evacuation flights to Wuhan, China, among other significant flights.
Wing wave footage of Air India Boeing 747
Air India also posted a touching video of a Boeing 747 flying off from the Mumbai airport and giving the “wing wave,” letting everyone know how much they will miss the legendary airplane.
On the flightradar24 website, the flight rose to the top of the most tracked flights list. The video clip was posted by the Mumbai airport operator, who said that spectators were left in amazement when Air India’s Boeing 747 made its last takeoff from the airport.
Today, we wave goodbye to the first of our last ‘Queen of the Skies’, the B747, departing Mumbai.
Thank you for an era of majestic flights. We’ll miss your iconic presence.
Credits – @CSMIA_Official#AirIndia #b747 #QueenOfTheSkies pic.twitter.com/W3M15eo5Nx
— Air India (@airindia) April 22, 2024
Relationship between Air India and Boeing 747 aircraft
Air India took delivery of the Boeing 747, known as Agra, on Monday morning at Mumbai airport. The aircraft was first registered in October 1996. First purchased by Air India in 1971, the historic Boeing 747 saw its final commercial flight on a domestic route in March 2021.
Air India just sold its final four Boeing 747 aircraft. Before Boeing 777s took their place, these planes, dubbed the “Queen of the Skies,” flew Indian presidents, vice presidents, and prime ministers for many years.
Boeing stopped producing Queen of the Skies:
Following over 52 years of storied service, Boeing announced in July 2020 that the “Queen of the Skies” will no longer be produced due to market choice. Boeing produced 1,574 B747 aircraft for more than 100 clients throughout the course of the 55-year period, including Air India.
The Tata Group acquired the financially troubled Air India in January 2022.
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