Final Revenue Flight Completed Tuesday

The final flight of a United Airlines 747 took place Tuesday, carrying passengers from San Francisco to Honolulu ... after about an hour's delay for maintenance.

The plane pushed back from the gate on time, according to a report from television station KPIX. But before the plane could depart, the pilot announced to the passengers that there had been a problem with the air conditioning. The delay to repair the problem took about an hour, and the flight finally got underway about noon local time.

United said in a news release that the flight would be an "ultimate throwback for customers, employees and invited guests as it recreates the first 747 flight operated by United in 1970. From a 1970s-inspired menu to retro uniforms for flight attendants to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. The original United 747 aircraft that first made this journey from San Francisco to Honolulu was named the "Friend Ship," the same name bestowed on this farewell flight."

"The iconic 747 is a remarkably special aircraft that signaled a new era of air travel and was equally recognizable and beloved by our customers and crew alike," said Oscar Munoz, CEO of United. "While today is bittersweet, we'll continue to honor the Queen of the Skies' game-changing legacy of connecting people and uniting the world with our next-generation of long-haul aircraft."  

The 747 was conceived in 1966, and United was one of the launch customers for the aircraft. The first jumbo jet flew on February 9, 1969, and the first revenue flight took place in January 1970 ... a Pan Am flight from New York to London.

United flew its last international route with the 747 from Seoul, South Korea to San Francisco on October 29. Tuesday's flight saw the plane retired from revenue service with the carrier.

(Image provided with United Airlines news release)

FMI: www.united.com, Original Report