As we write this, it is believed that PH-BFT about to finish up the final passenger flight for any KLM Boeing 747-400. The Boeing 747-400M Combi is performing flight KL686 from Mexico City, Mexico, arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 29, 2020.
We had the fortune of photographing this jumbo jet on March 15, 2020 while plane spotting at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
For full-size, high resolution versions for any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures. See below for more detailed information on PH-BFT, the Boeing 747-400M model in general and the airline.
Image Gallery
PH-BFT
Boeing 747-400M
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Resources
PH-BFT KLM Boeing 747-400M Image Gallery
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PH-BFT
PH-BFT performed its maiden flight on May 1, 1997. The Boeing 747-406M was delivered to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on May 15, 1997. The jumbo jet is named ‘City of Tokyo’.
This aircraft is configured for a maximum total of 268 passengers. There are 35 seats in business class, 36 more in premium economy and 197 economy class seats.
Incidents
On February 25, 2017, this B744M was flying from Amsterdam to New York City. Crusing at 36,000 feet, 330 miles north of St. John’s, Newfoundland, the flight was diverted to that Eastern Canadian city after the captain fell ill. The captain was taken to hospital and it was later determined he had suffered a heart attack. Passengers were put up at a hotel overnight as an alternate crew was flown in.
On a flight that should have gone from Seoul, South Korea to Amsterdam on April 25, 2019, engine issues changed the plans. On the climb out of Seoul, one of the engines failed. The climb was halted at 3,000 feet and the flight was diverted back to its point of departure after a fuel dump.
See more aircraft at our KLM Fleet Page.
Access all our featured aircraft at the Airplane Index Page.
Boeing 747-400M
The M in Boeing 747-400M means this aircraft is a Combi version, capable of carrying both passengers and cargo. The rear portion of the main deck has removable passenger seats that can allow for cargo containers to be placed in that space.
A large side cargo door behind the left wing allows cargo to be loaded on to the main deck as passengers are boarding. There are currently 58 Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft in use today with various airlines. This is the only Combi aircraft currently in production by Boeing.
As for the Boeing 747-400 model in general, the first flew in 1988 and was introduced to the market in 1989. 694 were built with many being phased out due to high fuel consumption. KLM has begun phasing out their 747-400 models with ten to be retired by 2018. The first Boeing 747 of any kind was introduced in 1969.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
The KLM in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines stands for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij. The airline was founded in October, 1919, making it the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. The airline is headquartered in Amstelven, Netherlands and uses Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as its main hub.
The airline currently has nearly 120 aircraft in the main fleet, flying to 145 destinations around the world. The airline merged with Air France in 2004, the same year it joined the SkyTeam Alliance. SkyTeam was founded in 2000 and now has 20 full member airlines.
This airline was the last to operate the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 for passenger service. The last in the fleet was retired in 2014.