625 Flights: All Boeing 747 Routes to the U.S. This Month

The Decline of the Boeing 747 in Passenger Service

The Boeing 747, once a symbol of aviation innovation and luxury, is becoming increasingly rare in commercial passenger service. As airlines shift toward more fuel-efficient widebody aircraft, the iconic quadjet is gradually being phased out. Today, only a few carriers still operate the 747 for passenger flights, marking the end of an era for this legendary aircraft.

According to data from aviation analytics company Cirium, just 625 flights operated by Boeing 747s are scheduled to the United States in September 2025. These flights are offered by only three airlines: Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Air China. Each of these carriers has its own unique approach to maintaining the 747 in their fleets, despite the overall decline in its use.

Lufthansa Maintains the Largest 747 Schedule

Among the three airlines operating 747s to the U.S., Lufthansa operates the most extensive schedule. The German flag carrier serves eight U.S. destinations using the Boeing 747, all departing from its primary hub at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Each of these routes features 60 round-trip flights scheduled for September 2025.

The destinations include:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Lufthansa currently operates a fleet of 19 Boeing 747-8s and eight Boeing 747-400s. According to ch-aviation data, the average age of the 747-8s is 11.9 years, while the 747-400s have an average age of 25.5 years. The 747-8s are configured with 364 seats across four classes: eight in first class, 80 in business class, 32 in premium economy, and 244 in economy class. The older 747-400s accommodate up to 371 passengers in a three-class layout: 67 in business class, 32 in premium economy, and 272 in economy class.

Air China Operates Two US Routes

Air China operates two U.S. routes with its Boeing 747 fleet. Both routes originate from the airline’s primary hub at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The busiest of these is the PEK to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) route, which includes 43 round-trip flights scheduled for September 2025.

The second route is PEK to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), with 18 round-trip flights planned for the same month. Air China operates seven Boeing 747-8s and two Boeing 747-400 quadjets. According to ch-aviation, the 747-400s are approaching an average of 30 years in service. Each of these aircraft carries 344 passengers in a three-class configuration: 10 in first class, 42 in business class, and 292 in economy class.

In contrast, the newer 747-8s have an average age of 10.7 years and can accommodate up to 365 passengers in a four-class layout: 12 in first class, 54 in business class, 66 in economy plus, and 233 in economy class.

Korean Air's Only US 747 Route

In September 2025, Korean Air operates just one Boeing 747 route connecting Seoul with the United States. According to Cirium data, the airline schedules 84 round-trip flights using its 747 fleet during the first month of autumn, offering a total of 30,912 seats.

Among the three carriers operating U.S. routes with the 747 this month, Korean Air has the smallest passenger 747 fleet. According to ch-aviation, the airline operates five 747-8s, with an average age of nine years. These aircraft are configured with 368 seats across three classes: six in first class, 48 in business class, and 314 in economy.

The rest of Korean Air’s 747 fleet is dedicated to cargo operations. The airline operates seven Boeing 747-8Fs and four Boeing 747-400ERFs.