Qantas to operate special flights out of Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra to farewell 747 fleet

The last of Qantas' 747s are being retired from service.
The last of Qantas' 747s are being retired from service. Photo credit: Getty/Newshub.

Qantas has announced it will operate three special 'Jumbo Joy Flights' out of Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra to give fans of the iconic Boeing 747 a chance to say goodbye, with the last of Qantas' 747s being retired from service.

The flights will operate next week, with tickets going on sale this Tuesday.

Australian media outlets are reporting ticket prices of approximately NZ$800 for business-class tickets and around NZ$450 for economy. In Australian dollars, the airfares are $747 and $400, as a tribute to the 747-400 aircraft. 

Qantas announced earlier this year it was retiring all of its Boeing 747 aircraft early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The retirement comes as Boeing sends its strongest signal yet that it will soon cease manufacturing the twin-engine aircraft.

Boeing's 'Queen of the Skies' marked its 50 year flying anniversary in February, 2019.

Not since 2017 has Boeing received an order for a passenger version of the 747 aircraft. That order came from the US Government, which is replacing its aged Air Force One aircraft.

Last month, rival aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced it would be phasing out its own four-engine mega-jet, the Airbus A380.