SEOUL – Nearly 400 customers, crew and employees said a formal farewell to Delta’s 747-400 on Sunday morning to commemorate the Queen of the Skies’ retirement from Delta revenue flights.

“The B747-400 has been an integral part of Delta’s entire fleet for the last three decades, especially on trans-Pacific routes,” said Andrew Kim, Delta’s Director – Sales, Korea. “Today’s flight,
Ship 6310, was manufactured in 1990, has flown approximately 64 million miles and is retiring after 27 years of service, in favor of safer, more comfortable, more reliable and more efficient modes of transportation for our passengers.”

“Now Delta has introduced, for its next-generation main aircraft for the trans-Pacific, the newer A350, which is already active on the Incheon-Detroit route on select days. With the retirement of the 747, the route now offers the latest aircraft with premium products and service everyday” Andrew added.

The ceremony honored two distinguished 747-400 captains for their contribution to aviation history and thanked customers for sharing the decades with Delta.

“I started flying for Delta Air Lines in 1976. All of those years have put me in the fortunate position of being the Senior 747 Captain at Delta and given me the incredible honor of flying today’s flight along with this great crew,” said Capt. Brian Hollingsworth. “The 747 is the most iconic aircraft ever built, and an aircraft that every pilot dreams of flying. Actually, I have been married to a former flight attendant for 40 years now, and she will be greeting me when we arrive in Detroit because today is my last trip. I am retiring after 42 years at Delta.”

After thanking his fellow crew members, Hollingsworth welcomed Capt. Rusty Bliss, one of Delta’s most senior captains and a 747 check airman instructor.