The Queen of the Skies Retires: Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747 Ends 37-Year Journey, Leaving Aviation Fans Heartbroken

▲ The Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 completed its final flights, CX542 and CX543, before retiring from service.

Reported and photographed by Chen Hanyin / Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747 aircraft, known as the “Queen of the Skies,” officially retired with honor today (Oct. 1)! The last passenger flight, CX543 from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong, sold out immediately upon release, with aviation enthusiasts and loyal Cathay passengers snapping up tickets to board one last flight filled with memories and say farewell.

▲ The Queen of the Skies carried over 160 million passengers and soared across the skies of the world.

To commemorate this milestone and thank the Boeing 747 for the flying experience it provided over the past 37 years, grand farewell ceremonies were held at Hong Kong and Haneda International Airports. Flight attendants specially donned four generations of Cathay Pacific uniforms improved since the 1980s. The longest-serving 747 pilot, John, and veteran cabin service manager Chaivaree operated the flight to pay tribute to its glorious flying history.

▲ Cathay Pacific held a farewell ceremony at Haneda International Airport.

▲ Flight attendants wore Cathay Pacific’s vintage uniforms spanning four generations.

The 747 joined the Cathay Pacific fleet in 1979, capable of carrying over 400 passengers — more than double the capacity of the earlier 707 — and offering longer flight ranges. At the time, the onboard entertainment system and later-added personal TV screens were hugely popular with passengers. As the only long-haul aircraft in the Cathay fleet at the time, its arrival greatly changed how people traveled, taking passengers farther and wider.

▲ Captain John and cabin service manager Chaivaree both worked with the 747 for over 30 years.

▲ The upper deck housed the business class section.

▲ Business class at the time was relatively compact, which became one of its distinctive features.

▲ First class offered spacious and comfortable seating.

Mr. Lau, a top-tier senior member of Cathay Pacific, said: “I was in the UK when I heard the tickets were on sale and decided to take the last flight with it.” Born in 1979 — the same year as the 747 — Mr. Lau frequently traveled between Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Canada while growing up due to his family living overseas. For him, the 747 was more than just an airplane; it carried precious childhood memories.

▲ Mr. Lau has a deep emotional connection to the Boeing 747.

In addition, Captain John has a sweet story — he met his Hong Kong-born flight attendant wife aboard a 747. When asked about his most unforgettable memory of the 747, he laughed and said: “I’ve flown through storms and typhoons with it, and there are many unforgettable memories, but the best one was definitely meeting my beautiful wife.” Now that the 747 has entered the history books, passengers can be seen everywhere taking photos as keepsakes.

▲ Captain John and his flight attendant wife met and fell in love on a Boeing 747.

▲ Flight attendants and stewards happily took commemorative group photos.

▲ Passengers enjoyed their final meal on the Boeing 747.

The Boeing 747 was hailed as one of Cathay Pacific’s most successful commercial aircraft. It rapidly expanded routes to Europe and North America during the 1980s and 1990s, earning the beloved title “Queen of the Skies.” The final flight landed safely in Hong Kong, and it will continue to soar in the memories of passengers and Cathay staff, carrying 37 years of flying history.

▲ Aviation fans captured countless photos to commemorate the Boeing 747’s final moments.

▲ The final beautiful image of the Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 at Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok Airport.