Summary The Boeing 747SP was developed for Pan Am's longest route, competing against other aircraft like the DC-10 and L-1011. Only three Boeing 747SP aircraft are still in service, with two operated by Pratt & Whitney and one by Sands Aviation. Sands Aviation's Boeing 747SP features a luxurious VIP configuration with just 50 seats.
The Boeing 747 has a long history, with several different variants developed. The 747SP is a shorter derivative of the Boeing 747-100. It first took to the skies on July 4th, 1975, and Boeing delivered 45 examples of the aircraft.
In 2024, only three Boeing 747SP aircraft are still in the air - with none of them operating commercially. The Boeing 747SP The Boeing 747SP (meaning 'Special Performance') was developed by Boeing shortly after the original 747-100 (pictured below with Pan Am). While Boeing had captured the upper end of the widebody market, Douglas and Lockheed were both focused on the smaller end with the Douglas DC-10 and the Lockheed Tristar L-1011 .
Boeing needed something to compete in this market. The company explored the concept of creating a Boeing 747 trijet , but that idea was discarded as it would have required a total redesign of the wing. A shortened version of the existing 747-200 airframe was instead chosen.
Although not a big commercial success, over the years the Boeing 747SP has won the hearts and minds of travelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. The new 747SP was specifically requested by Boeing customer Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) to operate on its longest route - non-stop between New York and Tehran in Iran. But it was soon ordered by other airlines as well.
Clocking in at just 56.3 meters long, compared to 70.7 meters for the original 747-100, the 747SP's range was extended to 5,830 nautical miles (102,800 kilometers) from 4,620 nautical miles (8,560 kilometers).
This was the longest range widebody at the time. Boeing produced 45 examples of the 747SP between 1974 and 1987 - much less than other Boeing 747 variants. Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here Previous Boeing 747SP operators The Boeing 747SP operated with several airlines, including Pan Am, Iran Air, American Airlines, United Airlines, TWA, Korean Airlines, Qantas, and South African Airways.
Iran Air: Operated four aircraft, with the last retired as late as 2016. South African Airways: Operated six aircraft, which were also leased to several other airlines, including Air Mauritius, Air Namibia, Luxair, and Air Malawi. China Airlines: Purchased four B747SPs, which also operated with Mandarin Airlines.
The last was retired in 1999. Air China: F lew four B747SPs, with the last being retired in 2000. Qantas: Used two B747SPs between Sydney and Los Angeles.
Braniff International Airways: Three aircraft that operated in its eye-catching all-orange livery. TWA: Purchased three aircraft , which were later acquired and operated by American Airlines United Airlines: Took on Pan Am's aircraft in 1986. Today, just three Boeing 747SP aircraft remain in service (according to data from ch-aviation ).
A further 17 aircraft are listed as 'retired' or 'stored' (not in serviceable state, but not scrapped). One of these aircraft, with registration N747NA, was flying until 2022. It operated with NASA and had been modified to carry a reflecting telescope for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy ( SOFIA ).
It was finally retired in December 2022. SOFIA was marvelous accomplishment by a huge team of people. Pratt & Whitney - Two aircraft Engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is the most numerous operator left in 2024, with two to its name.
Both of these quadjets serve as testbed aircraft. The oldest is with registration C-FPAW, at 44.1 years old.
It first flew in July 1980 before being delivered to CAAC, the forerunner to Air China , two months later. It eventually left Air China in November 1999, with Pratt & Whitney (US) picking it up in October 2001. It eventually transferred to the engine manufacturer's Canadian division in June 2009.
Pratt & Whitney Canada's second 747SP testbed aircraft, C-GTFF, is slightly younger, at almost 43.6 years old. Having first flown in January 1981, it joined Korean Air two months later, staying there until October 1998.
Data from ATDB.aero shows that, after unused spells at various US operators, it came to Pratt & Whitney as N708BA in January 2008. It has been at P&W Canada since December 2010.
Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. Sands Aviation - One aircraft The only active Boeing 747SP is with Sands Aviation in the US. It operates a luxurious Boeing 747SP registered as VP-BLK featuring a VIP configuration of just 50 seats.
This aircraft flies for the Las Vegas Sands casino. The aircraft first flew in December 1979 and entered service with TWA the following March. Its commercial career was relatively short, as it spent less than five years carrying passengers for TWA as N58201 before transferring to the Dubai Air Wing in February 1985.
Its time there was considerably more extensive, and it had been 22 years before it left to join Sands Aviation in June 2007. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation Boeing previously operated another Boeing 747SP as well, with registration VQ-BMS. It made the headlines in 2018 after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West flew on it.
Sadly, this aircraft was damaged in a hangar collision at Marana Airport, Arizona in late 2020 and never returned to service. The airline industry is always full of new developments! What aviation news will you check out next?.
