Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
AAWA would like to thank Perth Airport for kindly approving airside access for the photos below.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All photographs and videos displayed on this website are copyright protected and may not be used, sold, copied or reproduced without express written permission of the individual photographers. If you wish to obtain or use a photo, please email AviationWA@gmail.com.
30 July 2018 © David Eyre
Perth Airport witnessed the return of Qantas’ iconic Boeing 747 today, with the arrival of Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEF ‘Sydney’.
Qantas is using Boeing 747s on domestic flights between Sydney and Perth temporarily, due to pilot training requirements on another type, the Boeing 737. Qantas has 75 Boeing 737s in the fleet and around 600 737 pilots, but some of these are being trained to fly Boeing 787 Dreamliners and others are being used on routes which have downsized from A330s.
The Aviation Association of Western Australia Inc (AAWA) were granted special permission by Perth Airport to go airside and see the historic return of the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747.
Qantas normally operates its Boeing 747-400s between Brisbane – Los Angeles, Los Angeles – New York, Sydney – Los Angeles, Sydney – San Francisco, Sydney – Santiago, Sydney – Hong Kong, Sydney – Tokyo (Haneda), Sydney – Johannesburg and Sydney-Vancouver (seasonal flights).
Qantas currently has 10 747-400s in service; one GE-powered 747-48E (VH-OEB, originally delivered to Asiana in 1993 and bought by Qantas in 1998) and 3 Boeing 747-438 (Rolls-Royce RB211-powered) VH-OJS, OJT and OJU delivered between 1999 to 2000, and 6 GE-powered 747-438ERs (VH-OEE to OEJ) delivered during 2002-2003. Qantas is gradually retiring its Boeing 747s and the whole fleet will be gone by the end of 2020.
Above: Video of the Qantas Boeing 747-400ER visit to Perth on 30 July 2018. Credit: HD Melbourne Aviation
Above: Video of the Qantas Boeing 747-400ER visit to Perth on 30 July 2018. Credit: SiVideo Aviation
History of Qantas Boeing 747
Late 1960s: Qantas began evaluating aircraft to replace their 21 Boeing 707s, and selected the Boeing 747.
August 1967: Ordered four Boeing 747-100A aircraft.
June 1969: Qantas decided to wait for the more advanced 747-200 (747B), which was better suited to long-haul services, so the order was changed to four Boeing 747-200Bs.
July – August 1971: Qantas’ first Boeing 747-238B aircraft, VH-EBA ‘City of Canberra’ was first flown on 8 July 1971 and delivered Seattle – San Francisco – Honolulu – Sydney during 13-16 August 1971.
3 September 1971: VH-EBA made the first visit by a Boeing 747 to Perth during a route-proving flight Sydney to Singapore via Perth. An estimated 8,000 people witnessed the historic arrival of the 747.
17 September 1971: VH-EBA’s first revenue service as QF727 Sydney – Perth – Singapore. With the 747, Qantas introduced cheaper airfares, resulting in increased passenger traffic and revenue, despite increasing fuel prices.
28 December 1974: A Qantas 747-238B set a world record for carrying the most passengers, when it evacuated 674 people from Darwin to Sydney, after Darwin was hit by Cyclone Tracy. The airline flew out a total of 4925 people.\
July 1976: Qantas ordered the Boeing 747-200 Combi, which had a side cargo door in the rear fuselage.
October 1977: The first of three 747 Combi aircraft, VH-ECA, was delivered.
March 1978: Qantas retired sold the last of their Boeing 707s, becoming the world’s only airline with an all-747 fleet, totalling 17 aircraft. The all-747 fleet lasted until July 1985, when Qantas introduced the Boeing 767.
January 1980: Qantas ordered two 747SP aircraft
January 1981: First 747SP aircraft (VH-EAA) delivered.
November 1983: Qantas ordered the 747-300, which featured an extended upper deck.
November 1984: The first 747-300, VH-EBT ‘City of Canberra’ was delivered and was the first aircraft to wear the new white fuselage/red tail Qantas livery. 747-300s served until December 2008.
27 October 1986: Boeing 747-238B VH-EBG was the first aircraft to use Perth Airport’s new International Terminal (now Terminal 1 International). The aircraft arrived at at 6:25am as QF78 from Hong Kong.
March 1987: Qantas ordered four Boeing 747-438 aircraft, which featured winglets and advanced avionics which meant a flight engineer was not needed. Qantas branded the 747-400 aircraft ‘Longreach’ to convey their exceptional range and commemorate the Queensland town where Qantas was based in its early years.
17 August 1989: First Qantas 747-400, VH-OJA ‘City of Canberra’, made a non-stop, 18,000-kilometre flight from London to Sydney, which took 20 hours 9 minutes and 5 seconds, setting a new World distance record for a commercial aircraft.
27 December 1990?: First visit to Perth by a Qantas Boeing 747-338, VH-EBX.
13 July 1991: First visit to Perth by a Qantas Boeing 747SP, VH-EAB.
24 October 1991: First visit to Perth by a Qantas Boeing 747-400, VH-OJL.
15 February 1996: First Antarctica scenic flight from Perth by Qantas Boeing 747, operated by 747-438 VH-OJG, which departed the Qantas Domestic Terminal (as it does not land at Antarctica, it is not an international flight), and returned 12 hours later.
1 April 2000: HRH Queen Elizabeth II departed Perth aboard Qantas Boeing 747-438 VH-OJU, which diverted from Melbourne as QF9 to London.
26 October 2000: Last QF23/QF24 service from Perth to Harare, Zimbabwe, operated by VH-EBV Boeing 747-338.
20 January 2001: Last QF63/QF64 service from Sydney via Perth to Johannesburg, South Africa, operated by Boeing 747-438 VH-OJU.
November 2001: Qantas ordered six Boeing 747-438ERs, the first of this version built by Boeing.
22 January 2002: Last Qantas 747SP visit to Perth, operated by VH-EAA on QF485 arrived 9:44am / QF802 departed 11:04am.
6 – 7 December 2002: First 747-438ER aircraft, VH-OEE, was delivered to Qantas in Sydney.
15 & 17 December 2002: Boeing 747-338 VH-EBW operated the first Qantas 747 return flight from Perth to Kuwait, an Australian Defence Force charter flight QF6009. It departed on 15 December at 1:15pm to Kuwait and returned on 17 December at 8:30am, returning SAS soldiers to Perth.
5 January 2003: Last Qantas 747-200 visit to Perth, operated by VH-EBS – arrived at 2.17pm from Sydney, returning there at 3:55pm.
26 June 2003: First visit to Perth by Boeing 747-438ER, operated by VH-OEG, which arrived from Sydney at 11:45am as QF518.
September 2008: Qantas ceased using 747-300 on domestic services to Perth from Sydney and Melbourne.
30 May 2011: Qantas began using 747-400 on Sydney – Perth services.
4 May 2012: Qantas ceased using 747-400 on Sydney – Perth services.
8 July 2012: Qantas began using 747-400 on Sydney – Perth services.
19 November 2012: Qantas ceased using 747-400 on Sydney – Perth services.
Apart from the annual Antarctic scenic flights from Perth, the only other visits to Perth by Qantas 747s were rare medical diversions, fuel stops or an occasional increase in aircraft capacity at peak times.
30 July 2018: Qantas 747-400 and -400ER return to Perth, operating domestic services from Sydney, usually once or twice per day. Qantas needed to train more Boeing 737 pilots, so the 747 replaced other types.
10 October 2018: Final (for the time being) Qantas 747 scheduled visit to Perth, operated by VH-OEH Boeing 747-438ER.
Qantas has operated a total of 65 Boeing 747s; 57 new 747s from Boeing, 3 used 747s and 5 leased aircraft. The airline operated most major versions of the 747, including the 747-100 (four leased), 747-200B, 747SP (Special Performance), 747-200B Combi, 747-300, 747-400 and 747-400ER (Extended Range).
QF581 Sydney to Perth
Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
The first 747 to fly on domestic Perth – Sydney service for a long time, photographed here landing on runway 21 at 2:07 pm, and taxying in to the domestic terminal.
Photo © Keith Anderson (Photographed using Canon cameras and lenses)
Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
The first 747 to fly on domestic Perth – Sydney service for a long time, photographed here landing on runway 21 at 2:07 pm, and taxying in to the domestic terminal.
Photo © Keith Anderson (Photographed using Canon cameras and lenses)
Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
The first 747 to fly on domestic Perth – Sydney service for a long time, photographed here landing on runway 21 at 2:07 pm, and taxying in to the domestic terminal.
Photo © Keith Anderson (Photographed using Canon cameras and lenses)
Arriving on runway 21 at 2:11pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
The first 747 to fly on domestic Perth – Sydney service for a long time, photographed here landing on runway 21 at 2:07 pm, and taxying in to the domestic terminal.
Photo © Keith Anderson (Photographed using Canon cameras and lenses)
VH-OEF is arriving at 2:14pm as QF581 from Sydney. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
VH-ZNC is parked at bay 20A, having just arrived as flight QF10 direct from London-Heathrow.
Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
Note the crew waving from the cockpit. QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
The first 747 to fly on domestic Perth – Sydney service for a long time, photographed here landing on runway 21 at 2:07 pm, and taxying in to the domestic terminal.
Photo © Keith Anderson (Photographed using Canon cameras and lenses)
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF581 from Sydney taxying in at 2:15pm, to park at bay 13, Terminal 4. This marks the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020. Taken during an Aviation Association of WA Inc (AAWA) airside visit.
QF582 Perth to Sydney
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:31pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:31pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:33pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:33pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:34pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:34pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:36pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:36pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:37pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:37pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney parked at bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:40pm, prior to departure. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney during pushback from bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:48pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney during pushback from bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:48pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney during pushback from bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:48pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney during pushback from bay 13, Terminal 4 at 3:49pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney taxying out from Terminal 4 to runway 21 at 3:53pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney taxying out from Terminal 4 to runway 21 at 3:53pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
VH-ZNC is operating flight QF10 to Melbourne, taxying out to runway 21 at 3:55pm. It arrived from London-Heathrow at 2:08pm.
VH-OEF is about to line-up for take-off from runway 21 as QF582 to Sydney. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
VH-FGB is operating Qantas flight QF2714 to Port Hedland at 3:59pm, taxying to runway 21.
VH-OEF taking-off from runway 21 as QF582 to Sydney. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
QF582 to Sydney taking off from runway 21 at 3:59pm. This marked the temporary return of Qantas’ Boeing 747s to Perth, operating domestic flights between Sydney and Perth for crew training purposes, prior to the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747 from Qantas’ fleet by 2020.
