Qantas operated Boeing 747s for almost 50 years, only retiring them in 2020. Over the decades, Qantas flew multiple variants of the jumbo jet. For a time, in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s, Qantas only flew 747s. What’s lesser-known is that in the early 2000s, Boeing made a 747 variant especially for Qantas, the Boeing 747-400ER.
Qantas need a plane with more range
Twenty years ago, Qantas ordered six Boeing 747-400ERs. Historically, Qantas had been a long-haul airline. It’s easy to forget that until recently, long-haul flying involved one or more stops. But in terms of both time and money, stopovers were costly and inefficient. Qantas was keen to do more point to point long-haul flying and needed aircraft with the wings to do so.
With a typical configuration and carrying a standard load, a Boeing 747-400 can fly for about 13,500 kilometers. Very lightly loaded and with nice tailwinds, it can fly further, as Qantas demonstrated in 1989. Loaded with passengers, cargo, and building in a safety buffer for delays and diversions, your typical 747-400 could make it across the Pacific, but only just. Qantas wanted something a little extra.
“Dating back to their first jet airplanes in the 1950s, Qantas has always urged Boeing to provide more range,” said Boeing’s Toby Bright when the first Qantas 747-400ER landed in 2002.
The 747-400ER gave Qantas more options and greater flexibility
The Boeing 747-400ER was the same size as the standard 747-400. Qantas already had around two dozen of those. What distinguished the 747-400ER from the 747-400 was the option of one or two extra 12,300-liter fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold. The 747-400ER also had a strengthened fuselage, landing gear, and parts of its wings. There were also new, larger tires.
Qantas was the only airline to order the 747-400ER. Qantas took the option of a single extra fuel tank. The 747-400ER had an increased takeoff weight of 412,770 kilograms. The plane could carry an extra 6,800 kilograms of weight and fly an extra 800 kilometers.
Those improvements might seem like a fractional change on the already impressive 747-400 capabilities. But that extra 6,800 kilograms can mean the difference between a profit or loss on a flight. The extra range opened up new routes, such as Melbourne – Los Angeles, and Dallas – Brisbane. The Boeing 747-400ER gave Qantas extra flexibility and more options.
“The 747 has been a key to our long-haul success for more than 30 years, and this latest model with its enhanced performance capability will continue to give Qantas a competitive edge, especially on long-haul trans-pacific routes,” said David Forsyth, a Qantas executive when the first 747-400ER arrived in Sydney.
The Boeing 747-400ERs flew for Qantas for almost two decades
The first Qantas 747-400ER was VH-OEF Sydney. That plane arrived in November 2002, and Qantas regulars would recognize it from its special oneworld colors. Over 2002 and 2003, VH-OEE Nullarbor, VH-OEG Parkes, VH-OEH Hervey Bay, VH-OEI Ceduna, and VH-OEJ Wunala all entered into service with Qantas.
For the best part of two decades, these six planes flew Qantas passengers around the world. If the registrations don’t ring a bell, the planes’ names would be familiar to many people.
The 747-400ERs were also the last 747s to exit the Qantas fleet. All flew off into the sunset last year. The last 747-400ER to go was VH-OEJ Wunala. That plane flew off to California in July. That flight marked the end of the Boeing 747 at Qantas after 49 years.