Sovereign Airways Boeing 747-400 Poster

In the early 80s, Sovereign Airways was looking for a new type of aircraft to replace their rapidly-aging and no longer efficient Boeing 747-100s and 747-200Bs. The answer to their prayers came in 1984, when at the Farnborough Airshow, Boeing unveiled the next generation of their popular 747, the 747-400. Sovereign Airways ordered 20 747-400s in 1986, making them one of the first customers.

Sovereign Airways' first 747-400, G-ENUA, arrived at London Gatwick in March 1993, to a crowd of spectators and enthusiasts. The 747-400 was immediately put onto routes already served by the 747 Classic, such as routes to New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, and for the first time, Moscow. Sovereign Airways became one of the first European carriers to fly to Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Pictured here is G-ENUA, the airline's first 747-400, wearing the airline's 1998-2013 livery, and G-ENUS, one of the last 747-400s delivered to the airline out of the initial batch of 20, wearing the airline's newest 2013-present livery. The airline would end up flying a total of 44 747-400s throughout the aircraft's operation. Sadly, all 747-400s are due for retirement by the end of 2021, to be replaced by a mix of 747-8i, A350-1000, and potentially, the 777-9X, as the airline is still considering the 777X as a possible replacement for 747-400s and older 777s.

All Sovereign Airways 747s are named after members of the Royal Family, but with no particular pattern. G-ENUA is named after King George II. G-ENUS is named after King William IV.

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