Summary
- Boeing’s Dreamlifter is a large cargo freighter for transporting aircraft parts to assembly plants, saving time compared to oceanic travel.
- All four of the type are operated by Atlas Air and are currently used for various missions, including delivering medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Dreamlifters originated from different airlines and have been flying for several decades. Still, there are no immediate plans for retirement as they continue to fulfill their purpose of transporting cargo for Boeing and other charter operations.
When it comes to carrying oversized loads, a few planes come to mind, one of the most iconic of which is the Boeing Dreamlifter. The freighters were adapted from Boeing 747-400s by removing the entire upper deck and enlarging its fuselage to triple the cargo capacity, creating the “Large Cargo Freighter” (LCF).
Only four of the type were ever produced, all still flying on various missions worldwide. The most significant is carrying pieces for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the final assembly lines. The oversized aircraft body and swinging tail door are specifically designed to transport aircraft wings to the assembly plants in one piece, saving weeks over the previous method of oceanic travel.
All with Atlas Air
The aircraft are all operated by Atlas Air, a leasing provider famously the recipient of the last Boeing 747 ever produced. Atlas Air operates the Dreamlifters for Boeing on various missions beyond its initial purpose of ferrying airplane parts, including delivering vital medical supplies early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Ian Dewar Photography | Shutterstock
The freighters were previously operated by Evergreen International Airlines until 2010.
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The first aircraft to be converted originated from a 1990 Air China order. The plane (then bearing the registration B-2466) took its first flight in February 1992 and was delivered to the carrier the following month. The passenger 747-400 flew with Air China for nine years before returning to Boeing with approximately 28,000 flight hours under its belt.China order. The plane (then bearing the registration B-2466) took its first flight in February 1992 and was delivered to the carrier the following month. The passenger 747-400 flew with Air China for nine years before returning to Boeing with approximately 28,000 flight hours under its belt.
Photo: vewfinder | Shutterstock
The plane is now a regular on intercontinental ferry trips, appearing frequently in destinations from South Carolina to Italy.
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The second Dreamlifter to arrive came from the feet of China Airlines, where it has served for fourteen years. The aircraft’s conversion took place in Taiwan, and the plane arrived in Seattle in 2007 to begin operations.
By the end of that year, both the Dreamlifters were flying parts for the upcoming Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Lately, its primary mission appears to be transporting parts between Kansas and Boeing’s Washington and South Carolina facilities.
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The third aircraft also came from China Airlines, where it began its flying days in 1990. Following its conversion, the aircraft has flown an estimated 20,000 hours in its new role.
It was last spotted flying from Anchorage, Alaska, to Taipei Taiwan Taoyuan International (TPE), where it is listed as undergoing maintenance.
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The final Dreamlifter arrived in 2007 after previously serving as a passenger aircraft for Malaysia Airlines. The carrier ordered the Queen of the Skies in 1989 and flew it between 1992 and 2007.
This summer, the youngest Dreamlifter was on display at the world’s largest airshow, where it delighted attendees and fans at the EAA AirVenture event at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
While the aircraft are over 30 years old, there does not appear to be any indication that they will retire soon. Boeing is still running its Boeing 787 Dreamliner production lines, and other charter operations are sure to keep the four behemoths busy.
Do you have a favorite Dreamlifter or special memory with the type? Let us know in the comments below.