The last 747 we flew on is named "Wunala", meaning "Kangaroo" from the "Wunala Dreaming" story of the Yanyuwa people from the Gulf of Carpentaria. This 747 was painted in the Wunala Dreaming livery from its delivery in 2003 to 2011. Today, Wunala is Leaving...
The Qantas 747 was the reason John Golfin became an Aeronautical Engineer and decided to travel the world. John was 11 when he travelled on his first overseas flight with his family to Greece on a Qantas 747-238B - like many first-time Jumbo flyers - it blew him away and when he got back to Australia he told his parents his plans. Now, 54, John reflects on the bitter-sweet reality that he may retire this year at the same time as his beloved "Jumbo"... the one that started it all, ends it all...
QANTAS 747 HIGHLIGHTS:
Started service on 16 August 1971.
Qantas was founded on 16 November 1920 and turns 100 this year (Third Oldest Airline in the World).
Up until its 100th Birthday, Qantas has flown 747s for half its life time !!!
Qantas owned a total of 65 747s which flew a total of 14.6 million people - based on a total of 1,558 747s built and flown 3.5 billion people worldwide !!!
From 1978 to 1985 (7 years) the Qantas fleet was only 747s - one of very few carriers to claim this.
On 26 December 1974, Wunala carried 674 passengers out of Darwin from Cyclone Tracey - a record haul for a Qantas 747.
In 1979, Qantas and Qantas 747s were the first in the world to introduce "Business Class".
On 3 July 1989 Qantas 747-438ER VH-OJA flew its maiden delivery from London to Sydney non-stop over 18,001km in 20 hours and 9 minutes - still stands as the world record non-stop and longest flight ever.
Well done Qantas 747...
Goodbye Qantas Jumbo Jet...
Farewell Queen of the Skies...
Gone but never forgotten - thanks for the memories...
