Summary
- Final Boeing 747 delivered in 2023 marking the legendary aircraft’s end, with new ones no longer produced.
- A new BBJ 747-8 cost around $403M, with VIP customers now looking to second-hand markets.
- Private 747 operators include USAF, Turkish Airforce, Qatar Amiri Fleet, and Saudi Air Force, showcasing the aircraft’s luxury.
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic aircraft ever made. With its distinctive hump and the two-deck layout, it has indeed launched a new era of long-distance aviation by effectively creating the widebody market, which remained very lucrative today. It was so prevalent that almost everyone knew or had heard of the aircraft.
Why the 747 became a private jet?
Almost every major legacy airline, from Pan Am to British Airways, operated the aircraft at some point in its history. From the early 1960s until the late 1990s, they would roll out their most lavish services onboard the aircraft.
In the minds of most people who lived during that period, the jet became synonymous with luxury. Therefore, it is no surprise that some jets were later converted to private configurations, and a handful of new factory-made, dedicated big liners were produced.
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While most aircraft have been broken up or scrapped, a handful are preserved.
How much did a new BBJ 747 cost?
On January 31st, 2023, the iconic Boeing 747 production ended. The final model, a freighter, was successfully delivered to Atlas Air, marking the conclusion of an era for this legendary aircraft. Therefore, no new 747s are being produced as factory-fresh dedicated executive airliners.
Boeing previously manufactured the aircraft with the specific plate number BBJ747. According to an article in Corporate Jet Investor, the listed price for a brand-new Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 747-8 was $367 million. When purchasing the aircraft from Boeing, customers receive it without any interior; they must engage cabin outfitters to customize the interior according to their preferences. Alexander Cracker, a prominent VVIP airliner broker, estimated that the cost of a VVIP conversion could amount to as much as $36 million, depending on the client’s specific requirements.
Photo: Boeing
This means that a prospective owner buying a green aircraft from the Seattle OEM would have to pay around $403M, with the final cost depending greatly on the final configuration of the aircraft.
How about second-hand jets?
We have established that new 747s are no longer an option, so VIP customers looking to upgrade their ride to a queen of the skies will most likely have to head to the second-hand market. The global fleet is currently grounded across many storage sites worldwide – they could reach out to storage facilities like Air Salvage International.
Although there are no publicly listed prices, a 2017 article from the Sydney Morning Herald suggests that a second-hand 747 would cost anywhere between 10 and 100, significantly cheaper than the new planes but still one of the most expensive private jets one can get.
Heading to controller.com, we see that a vintage 1985 747SP would cost around 8M$. However, we are still determining if the aircraft can still be airworthy at this age and at what price.
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Who are the operators of VIP 747s?
USAF
2x 747-200s
There are quite a few VVIP 747 operators in the world today, the most notable of which is, of course, the US Air Force’s Air Force One—or rather a set of two VC25As, which are dedicated 747-200s manufactured by Boeing, especially for their mission.
Turkish Airforce
1X 747-8
The next most notable is the Turkish Airforce, which owns and operates a single 747-8. Interestingly, their 747 is reported to have been donated by the Qatar Amiri Air Force, according to the BBC
Fun fact: the British Broadcasting Corporation indicates this specific 747 cost the initial owner some 500
The aircraft now carries the Turkish president on his overseas trips.
Qatar Amiri
3X 747-8
The Qatari Amiri Fleet currently operates two Boeing 747-8 aircraft, registered as A7-HHE and A7-HHF. A7-HHE is believed to symbolize “His Highness the Emir” and is frequently used by Tamim Al-Thani for official visits worldwide.
In the past, a third 747, registered as A7-HBJ, was part of the fleet. However, it was subsequently removed from the fleet’s inventory and is now flying under the registration P4-HBJ. Reports suggest that Global Jet Isle of Man operates this aircraft. Although it is often seen at DIA, the base for the Amiri Fleet, it is not listed as available for charter or purchase on their website, unlike the former Qatar Amiri ACJ320, P4-HSJ.
Saudi Air Force
1X 747-300 – 1X 747-400 – 2x 747SP
The VIP division of the Royal Saudi Air Force, known as the Saudi Royal Flight, boasts a fascinating fleet of Boeing 747s, as reported on planespotters.net. This fleet includes iconic 747 variants such as the 747SP and 747-300.
However, there is conflicting information regarding the 747SPs, with planespotters.net listing them as historic while airfleets.fr lists them as active. This leaves their current status somewhat ambiguous and raises questions about their future.
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49 Years Of Flight: Who Flies The Boeing 747SP Today?
There are just three of the short-fuselage jumbo still in service.
There are many other private 747 owners worldwide today, but we decided to examine some of the lesser-known ones.
Conclusion
A brand-new Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 747-8 would have set prospective owners back around $403 million, incorporating the base price and customization for a VVIP conversion. As the production of new 747s has ceased, the second-hand market offers an alternative, with prices significantly lower but varying widely. The 747 remains a symbol of luxury and status, operated by a select few, including national governments and the ultra-rich. Its legacy as a pioneer in aviation and a marker of prestige continues, even as the era of its production ends.