Why The Boeing 747-8 Won’t Be Retired Anytime Soon

The Boeing 747-8 is a rare model now, but not one that is set to leave our skies. The numbers still in the skies in today’s active fleet paint a clear picture of how the model will remain in the skies for years to come. Today, there are 28 active Boeing 747-8 aircraft in service across five different operators, and most are relatively young by the standards of modern widebody fleets. The youngest of these models is around eight years old, while the oldest is approaching 15 years old since delivery. This age profile matters since a well-maintained long-haul aircraft can keep working well into its 20s, especially when it serves a purpose that no other model on the market can replicate. This is especially true for the Boeing 747-8. The aircraft not only offers high passenger volumes, but also strong belly cargo capacity and premium cabin real estate.