Ruth Haines
The Boeing 747, also known as the Queen of the Skies, is a large aircraft that was first introduced in the 1960s. It is known for its distinctive upper deck hump and four powerful engines. While the 747 used to be a common sight at airports, it has become less common due to the rise in popularity of twin-engine aircraft. However, there are still some airports where you can spot a 747. For example, Line 747 runs between YUL Montreal-Trudeau Airport and the city centre, and the 747 can also be spotted at Frankfurt Airport, Seoul Incheon Airport, and Hong Kong International Airport. If you're interested in seeing the original 747 prototype, you can visit the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Boeing 747 |
| Nickname | Queen of the Skies |
| Designer | Joe Sutter |
| Year of debut | 1969 |
| Location of first flight | Paine Field in Everett, Washington |
| Date of first flight | February 9, 1969 |
| Date of first commercial flight | January 22, 1970 |
| Route of first commercial flight | New York to London |
| Airlines that operate 747-8 | Lufthansa, Korean Air, Air China, Atlas Air, UPS Airlines, Polar Air Cargo, Cathay Pacific Airways |
| Airports where 747-8 can be spotted | Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN), Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Beijing Capital (PEK), New York (JFK) |
| Line number in Montreal-Trudeau Airport | 747 |
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What You'll Learn
Line 747 bus at YUL Montreal-Trudeau Airport
Line 747 is a bus service that runs between YUL Montréal-Trudeau airport and the city centre. The route runs between the airport, Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM métro stations, and the Gare d'Autocars de Montréal. The bus departs generally every 10 to 15 minutes, all day, in both directions. At the airport, the stop is located at door 28. At Lionel-Groulx, the stop is located in front of the entrance on Atwater Avenue.
The fare is $11 per person and gives you a 24-hour pass for the bus, métro, exo train and REM in Zone A (agglomeration of Montréal). You can buy your transit fare through the Chrono mobile app, where it is available anytime, anywhere. Accepted payment methods are Visa or Mastercard. You can also use the app to load the fare directly onto your OPUS card. You must activate your fare on the mobile app before boarding the 747 bus and then validate it with the driver within 120 minutes.
You can also buy your fare at a parking pay station. At the airport, these are located near 747 bus stops. Check the Infobus sign at any line 747 bus stop and find one of the 14 designated Agence de mobilité durable parking pay stations where you can buy a 747 fare. Go to the pay station identified by a blue P$ sign. Enter the numbers 0747 and follow the on-screen instructions. Take the ticket and use it within two hours of purchase. Give the ticket to the driver, who will hand you a proof of payment valid for a one-way trip. Note that it cannot be used for a return trip or to interrupt and resume the trip later.
Children aged 11 and under can travel for free when accompanied by a person aged 14 or older with a valid and validated ticket. A maximum of five children aged 6 to 11 can travel for free with the accompanying person. Residents of the agglomeration of Montréal aged 65 and over ride for free in Zone A with the Free 65+ fare.
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Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
The airport is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific, which operates a fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft. In 1993, Cathay Pacific acquired 75% of Air Hong Kong, which operated scheduled cargo services with a fleet of two Boeing 747-100SF and one Boeing 707-320C freighters. By 2000, Air Hong Kong had a fleet of three Boeing 747-200Fs with scheduled cargo services to Brussels, Dubai, Manchester, and Osaka.
The predecessor to HKG was Kai Tak Airport, which was located in the densely built-up Kowloon City District. Kai Tak had a small apron and terminal, and it could only accommodate a limited number of gates and runways. As a result, large aircraft such as the 747 were commonly used to maximise throughput and distribute high costs over more passengers. Kai Tak closed and was replaced by HKG in 1998.
To spot 747s at HKG, plane spotting locations outside the airport include the small island of Tai Chu Keng, which is located in the South China Sea to the west of the airport. Plane spotters can also try the coastal areas near the airport, such as Tung Chung and the Lantau North Country Park. These locations provide clear views of the airport's runways and taxiways, allowing for good opportunities to spot 747s taking off and landing.
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Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN)
Seoul Incheon International Airport (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) is the largest and primary airport serving Seoul, South Korea. It is located 30 miles (48 km) west of Seoul and is one of the busiest and largest airports in the world.
In 2025, Korean Air, the national airline of South Korea, resumed its Boeing 747-8i service on the Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Atlanta (ATL) route, reclaiming the title of the longest nonstop scheduled 747 passenger flight by distance in the world. This route is about 7,152 miles long and is served by Korean Air's daily 747-8i flight. The 747-8i aircraft have 368 seats in a three-class configuration, consisting of six first-class seats, 48 business class seats, and 314 economy class seats.
In addition to the Atlanta route, Korean Air also operates the Boeing 747-8i on its Seoul to London-Heathrow (LHR) route during the summer of 2025. This deployment may shift, however, as the airline initially planned to ground the 747-8i for the season in December 2024.
Seoul Incheon Airport consists of two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. LOT Polish Airlines operates from Terminal 1, offering direct flights to ICN Airport in Seoul from Warsaw, Wrocław, and Budapest.
The airport offers various transportation options, including buses, trains, and taxis. It is served by the Korean Train Express (KTX) and the Airport Express (AREX), which provides connections to Seoul City Centre (Seoul Station) and the subway from the airport railroad station. The Maglev train, opened in 2016, links Incheon Airport to Yongyu Station, where passengers can connect with AREX trains and the Seoul Subway.
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Lufthansa operates the Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 aircraft, with the former being the world's largest 747-400 scheduled passenger operator. The 747-400 is becoming a rare sight, but you can increase your chances of spotting one by targeting Lufthansa flights. One source reported spotting six Lufthansa 747s at Frankfurt Airport in one week.
Frankfurt Airport has two terminals, with gates located in each. Terminal 1 includes gates A to C and Z, while Terminal 2 consists of gates D and E. Both terminals are just a few minutes apart via shuttle bus or SkyLine.
Lufthansa's 747 flights depart from Frankfurt Airport to destinations such as Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Newark Liberty International Airport. The 747-400 features a Business Class cabin and an upper deck, where Business Class passengers are seated.
When spotting planes at Frankfurt Airport, you can take advantage of the large, clear windows at the gates, which offer an excellent, unobstructed view.
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New York (JFK) airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport, more commonly known as JFK, is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the busiest airport in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international commercial airport in North America.
JFK Airport covers 5,200 acres and is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area. It features five passenger terminals and four runways. The airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
JFK is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as the primary operating base for JetBlue. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
Regarding the Boeing 747, there have been reports of a Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter that made an emergency landing at JFK Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 747 registered as B-LID, encountered a sudden cabin pressure loss while cruising at Flight Level 300 (approximately 30,000 feet). The experienced flight crew implemented standard emergency procedures and successfully landed on Runway 22L at JFK Airport.
Additionally, as of January-March 2024, there were up to 11 daily passenger Boeing 747 departures from the US, with Korean Air operating double daily flights between New York JFK and Seoul Incheon, making it the most-served airport pair for the Boeing 747 during that period.
So, if you're looking to spot a Boeing 747 at JFK Airport, your best chances are to check the arrival and departure schedules for Korean Air flights to and from Seoul Incheon, or keep an eye out for cargo flights operated by Cathay Pacific Cargo, as these have been associated with the Boeing 747 at JFK in the past.
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Frequently asked questions
The 747 bus runs between YUL Montréal-Trudeau airport, Lionel-Groulx, and Berri-UQAM métro stations. The bus fare is $11 and gives you a 24-hour pass for the bus, metro, exo train, and REM in Zone A.
The original 747 prototype, named "City of Everett", is housed in the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Visitors can often visit the interior of the prototype on tours.
Some of the best airports to spot a Boeing 747-8 are Seoul Incheon Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Beijing Capital Airport.
