747 Paradise: The Final Strongholds of the Queen of the Skies in 2026
Around 400 aircrafts are still flying all around the world
There are around 400 Boeing 747 series in the sky in 2026. Boeing 747 series total built number 1,574 already more than 1000 aircraft already retired.
but there are some airports where you can still see many 747s. I would say “747 Paradise” these airports.
In this article, I would like to introduce the best airport to see the Boeing 747 now.
Passenger type of 747 is getting less and less
Unfortunately, the situation for Boeing 747 is not good nowadays. Boeing closed their product line for 747 and the last aircraft delivered to Atlas Air in 2024.
No more new 747s are coming out in the future. Also old 747s are also retired quickly so the number of active aircraft is decreasing.
Especially passenger type of 747s are very rare after COVID pandemic. Many airlines retired 747s during the pandemic. Now there’s a few operators still using 747 like Lufthansa, Korean Air, Air China, Rossiya. And some countries are using 747 for government aircraft.
Recently, most active 747s are flying freighter. Boeing 747 is still having advantage for capacity of the cargo. so Cargo airliners still love operating 747s. They are the last hope for us.
Where is the “747 Paradise” in 2026?
1. Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC/PANC)
I think Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport is the best airport to see 747 all around the world.
This airport used to be a refueling station for passenger traffic between Asian and USA, Europe until early 90s but after 747-400 was debuted then they can make direct flights between both countries.
but the airport is still using for Cargo flights for loading and refueling at this airport, so many 747 freighters are arriving and departing everyday.
Also there is a really beautiful Alaskan mountains background of the airport, one of the best places for plane spotting in my experience.
2. Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA/EDDF)
If you want to see the passenger type of Boeing 747s. Frankfurt is the best place nowadays.
Frankfurt Airport is based airport for Germany largest carrier Lufthansa. Lufthansa still operate more than 25 Boeing 747 series at the moment.
They are operating 18 747-8 and 8 747-400 in early 2026. Most of the airlines retired 747-400 during Covid pandemic but Lufthansa decided back in the sky for them.
So you still can see a lot of Passenger type of the Queen of the sky and maybe Frankfurt is the last place for the passenger type of Boeing 747.
Lufthansa uses 747 for North America, South America, Africa and Asia destinations and they will keep 747-8 after 2030s so we have enough time to enjoy that place.
3. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG/VHHH)
When you are looking for a good place to see 747s in Asia. Hong Kong is definitely the best place.
There are many Cargo flights between all around the world and one of the huge 747 operator Cathay Cargo based this airport.
You can of cours spot Cathay Cargo 747s (One is now painted with Retro livery! B-LJE) and you also can see worldwide 747s there. Not only large companies. For example, you can see ROM Cargo Airlines(Romania), Compass Air Cargo(Bulgaria), Mesk Air(UAE), Terra Avia(Moldova) they are not easy to see at any other airports.
And Spotting location around the airport is very nice, during winter time you can do spotting from Sha Lo Wan and look down the runway. During summer time you can do spotting next to HAECO maintenance area then you can capture the picturebeautiful mountain background when they use RWY25 operation.
4. Liege Airport (LGG/EBLG)
One of my favorite 747 Paradise nowadays, Liege Airport is mostly Cargo Airport and you can see a lot of 747s still there.
There are good plane spotting locations at Liege Airport. This is the reason what I love that airport. There’s a good spot on both sides of RWY04/22. And you can be close to the aircraft. The distance is perfectly for spotter shot for photography.
And the traffics are very interesting. Many cargo company based there and they are mosly using 747 for main fleet. For example, ASL Airlines Belgium, Challenge Airlines BE, Magma aviation, Network Aviation. so you will never tired to see many variants of 747s in Liege.
5. Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN/RKSI)
South Korea’s biggest airport Seoul Incheon Airport is also good for spot 747s.
One of passenger type of 747-8 operator Korean Air based in that airport they also have many freighter 747s. For freighter company AIR ZETA (former Air Incheon and all 747s transfer from Asiana Airlines) also based in Incheon Airport. so there is still a lot of traffic you can see.
Just pay attention that most cargo flights use RWY33/15 side so you will not see much 747s on RWY34/16 side. And Unfortunately viewing area is mostly place on RWY34/16 side.
6. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA)
Air China is one of last passenger type of 747-400. They based in Beijing Capital International Airport and operating for domestic routes.
It is worth to visit Beijing Capital Airport, Actually There’s no more PW engines passenger type of 747-400 so very last chance to see.
Air China operate 2 of 747-400 in 2026 and flying to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, those only 3 destinations. They also have 747-8 and they are also flying domestic routes and some long haul international routes also.
Not many other airlines fly to Beijing with 747 but it is just good to see Air China 747, especially -400 type expected to retire soon.
7. Luxembourg Findel Airport (LUX/ELLX)
Last one is one of my favorite airport located in middle of Europe “Luxembourg Findel Airport”
Huge cargo airline “Cargolux” based this airport. They still have 14 747-8F and 12 747-400F. Actually most of traffics are only Cargolux flight but one of their interesting thing is they have some unique special livery.
Unfortunately some of already gone but they still have Retro livery on one of their 747-400ERF (LX-NCL), Not Without My Mask livery on 747-8F (LX-VCF), 50 Years livery on 747-8F (LX-VCC).
There are good plane spotting places around the airport especially on south side of the airport. And the local spotter made some discussion with airport manager then they keep spotter friendly airport. And some place has installed hole on the fence for photograph.
![[Flight Report] Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 OZ102 Seoul to Tokyo](https://queen-of-the-skies.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_7753-940x627.jpg)
After a long Covid pandemic,The finally It’s over and each country opened borders around 2022 to 2023. Then demand for air travel increased immediately especially between Japan and South Korea.
In May 2023, Asiana Airlines decided to assign 747-400 for the ICN-NRT route temporarily. The airline still had just only one passenger type of 747-400 registration is HL7428. During covid situation, the aircraft was operated for Chinese route like ICN-CGQ(Changchun).
I tried that really nice opportunity to fly with 747-400 like a celebrate after over pandemic situation.
- Date : May 12, 2023
- Flight Number : OZ102
- Route : Seoul(Incheon)-Tokyo(Narita)
- Aircraft : Boeing 747-48E (HL7
Incheon Airport Terminal 1 for departure
Asiana Airlines based in Terminal 1 at Seoul Incheon International Airport during that period. There are @ flights between Seoul and Narita everyday and 747-400 was assigned on flight OZ102/101. I was on board the OZ102 flight from Seoul to Narita.
Flight OZ102 departed 0900am from Seoul Incheon, And boarding started around 0830am. Their 747-400 has 398 seats include 34 Business (10 seats former First Class) Class and 364 Economy Class. Business Class located A compartment and Upper Deck. A compartment used to be First Class when they operated to US and Europe with 747-400.
I was sitting on 27A that time. That seat is the first row of the economy just beside the L2 door. The reason for choosing this seat is that the view from the window is stunning with wings and double engines. but I needed to pay an additional fee for this seat because this seat has extra leg space.
Enroute to Tokyo
The flight route departs from RWY15R and right turns then flies over Seoul city then continue straight to the East. After entering the Sea of Japan, the aircraft heads to the south, then getting closer to Japan mainland. After flying over the Niigata area, the aircraft headed down south then approaching to Narita Airport.
Total flight time is just 1hour and 50 minutes. such a short flight with the queen of the sky. but there is also meal service inflight. I could have traditional Korean style food with Gochujang source.
The 747-400 is always making stable flight. I am sure she provided for passengers who felt so safety during flight with 4 engines and such huge wings. And for me it was a really special moment during all time in the flight. Lovely CF6 sounds. Nice engine view from windows… I reminded last time I flew with 747-400 was in 2018 with Lufthansa. so I waited 5 years for this moment.
The aircraft touched down on RWY16L at Narita International Airport. She made a full reverse on that short 2500m runway. Then long taxing to Terminal 1.
Cabin tour after arrival
When I got off from the aircraft, the Cabin crew accepted me to take pictures on the A compartment and Upper Deck. I felt that it is the last time to fly with Asiana 747-400… but I flew with her few more times after that 🙂