Cathay Pacific's Boeing 747-400 is About to Retire
I saw this press release: Cathay Pacific Retires “Jumbo” Jetliner; Final Flight is CX543 from Tokyo (Haneda) to Hong Kong on October 1st
Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747-400 is set to retire within the year. The final 747-400 will operate flight CX543 from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hong Kong on October 1st.
Currently, Cathay Pacific only possesses the last three 744s, with registration numbers B-HKT, B-HUI, and B-HUJ, which are used for routes to Haneda, Narita, and Taipei.
Three years ago, I wrote an article Cathay Pacific Haneda-Hong Kong CX543 Flight Log. Upon reviewing it, I discovered that the aircraft I flew on was actually B-HKT, the very one that remains in service today. It seems I have some affinity with this 744.
I sorted through the photos on hand and found several shots of B-HKT taken at the new Hong Kong airport. They turned out quite well, so I’m posting them today to commemorate this famous “Queen of the Skies.”
This is another aircraft, B-HKV, at the same airport.
By the way, you can see two other 744s parked in the distance above.
A distant 744, though I can’t make out its registration number…
Just three years ago, there were still so many 747s; who knew they would disappear from Hong Kong so soon? It is truly a pity. I will strive to go to Haneda Airport on October 1st to send off the Cathay 744.