Air India Boeing 747 fleet history
Air India flew 747s from 1971 to 2021, the longest-running 747 operator in the region, retiring its 747-400s in March 2021 after the final aircraft left Mumbai for Seattle in April 2024.
Air India introduced the 747-200B in 1971 and flew a 747 line for a full half-century, retiring its 747-400s in 2021. Its first-generation 747s opened daily India–Europe and India–US routes.
Air India’s first 747-200B joined the fleet in 1971, and the airline went on to order 19 new-build 747s: 11 × 747-200B, 2 × 747-300M Combis and 6 × 747-400s (with four later -400s acquired). In total about 25 747s served the airline across fifty years. The 747-400s flew from 1993, and Air India used them on long-haul routes to Europe, the Middle East and North America.
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| 747-200B | Launch fleet, from 1971 |
| 747-300M | Combi configuration |
| 747-400 / -400M | Long-haul fleet from 1993 |
The final passenger 747 flights ran in March 2021; the last four 747-400s were sold for freighter conversion and parting out, and the final airframe (VT-EVA, as N940AS) left Mumbai for Seattle in April 2024.
Sources
- Air India 747 leaves the fleet — AeroTime
- Boeing India backgrounder — Boeing
- Air India article — Wikipedia
Sources
Facts on this page are checked against the primary and institutional references below.
- Air India 747 leaves the fleet — AeroTime
- Boeing India backgrounder — Boeing
- Air India article — Wikipedia
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