6. Vanguard Airlines Boeing 747-400 "1989-2002" [re-release]

In the early 1980s, faced with declining orders for Boeing 747 aircraft, Boeing secretly asked multiple airlines to join a consultive group and advise the manufacturer on specific improvements to its Boeing 747 model. The invited airlines, East Australian (Australia), Hanseatic (Germany), British Atlantic (United Kingdom), Internederland (Netherlands), MidAmerican (USA), Pearsonian (Canada), Air Thailand (Thailand), and Vanguard (USA) narrowed down their ideas to five definitive improvements: new technologies as implemented on the Boeing 757 and 767, an enhanced interior, at least a 1,000 nautical mile range increase, more efficient engines, and a 10% reduction in operating costs. At the 1984 Farnborough Airshow, Boeing announced development of the “Advanced Series 300” aircraft, and in 1985, MidAmerican and Vanguard became joint launch customers with orders for 15 aircraft each.

On January 26th, 1988, the first Boeing 747-400 was rolled out at the Everett factory, and took its first flight on April 29th. By early 1989, the first aircraft were ready for delivery, and were handed over to the launch customers in mid-January. On February 9th, 1989, two Boeing 747-400s in different liveries took off from Chicago O’Hare and Memphis, ushering in a new era for the Queen of the Skies.

Vanguard Airlines would grow to become one of the most prolific operators of the 747-400 after delivery of the original 15. Gradually expanding the fleet between 1989 and 2004, the airline would come to acquire 46 of the type, though not all 46 were operated at once. The peak number in the fleet was 37 in 2000, with many being stored or sold following the September 11th attacks, and the introduction of the 777-200ER. The 747-400 served faithfully with Vanguard Airlines on international routes from every point of the globe, until it's replacement in 2021 by the combination of 747-8i, 777-200LR, 787-10, and A350-1000. The airlines' first 747-400, fleet number 8121, was restored and put on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Vanguard's 747, America's Flagship.

[Re-release on geared template]