Qantas' final 747 flight leaves a tribute to the iconic kangaroo in the skies as it completes its last journey from Australia

After 50 years in service, Qantas’ final Boeing 747 passenger jet departed Australia for the last time on Wednesday, leaving behind a unique sky message—a depiction of the airline’s iconic kangaroo logo.

Flight QF7474 traced the famous logo in the sky as it departed Sydney Airport for the US, where the 747 will be retired. Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, confirmed the tribute in a statement on Wednesday.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce praised the aircraft, saying, “This plane was ahead of its time—extremely capable. Engineers, cabin crew, pilots, and passengers all loved it. It’s earned a cherished spot in aviation history, and many, including myself, will miss it dearly.”

The 747 is being replaced by more fuel-efficient aircraft with extended ranges, like the 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, according to Joyce. Though the fleet was scheduled for retirement this year, the global pandemic accelerated the process by six months, forcing an early farewell.

The travel industry has suffered a significant blow as countries imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions to combat the spread of Covid-19. Earlier this month, British Airways retired its fleet of 747s four years ahead of schedule due to the pandemic.

Saying goodbye

A crowd gathered at Sydney Airport to bid a final farewell to the iconic plane, which was honored with a water salute before its departure. The aircraft was loaded with cargo destined for Los Angeles before being sent to storage in a Mojave Desert boneyard, according to a Qantas press release.

Joyce emphasized the profound impact the 747 had on Australia, explaining that its size played a key role in making air travel more affordable for a nation so far from the rest of the world.

The 747 made international travel accessible to the average Australian, with Joyce noting, “People seized the opportunity to travel the world once it was within their reach.”

The flight was piloted by Capt. Sharelle Quinn, the airline’s first female captain.

Quinn expressed in a press release, “It has been an incredible honor to have flown this aircraft for 36 years.”

Quinn shared that the 747s have carried over 250 million passengers for Qantas, including numerous rescue missions. Notably, the plane evacuated a record 674 passengers from Darwin after Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and delivered medical supplies and brought tourists back from the Maldives and Sri Lanka following the devastating 2004 tsunami.

Most recently, the 747 was called into action in February to bring hundreds of stranded Australians back from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Qantas received its first 747 in August 1971, the same year McDonald's opened its first Australian location, according to the airline.

Quinn reflected, “The 747 has been an incredible part of our history, a truly revolutionary aircraft. While it’s bittersweet to see our final one depart, it’s time to pass the baton to newer, more efficient models.”

Before heading over the Pacific Ocean, Qantas announced that the flight would pass over Sydney Harbor and the HARS Museum, where it would dip its wings in a final tribute to the airline's first 747-400, now displayed there.