PH-BFV, one of five Boeing 747-400M models left in the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. These five, along with the three regular Boeing 747-400 airliners remaining, will all be gone by 2021. We photographed this B744 on December 28, 2019 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-BFV, the Boeing 747-400M Combi model in general and the airline.
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PH-BFV
Boeing 747-400M Combi
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
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PH-BFV KLM Boeing 747-400M Image Gallery
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PH-BFV
PH-BFV performed its first flight on August 3, 1999. The Boeing 747-400M was delivered to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on August 16, 1999. The jumbo jet is named ‘Vancouver’.
This airliner 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.
This is one of five Boeing 747-400M Combi models left in the KLM fleet. There are also three Boeing 747-400 models. All these will be retired by the airline by 2021. This airplane is sporting a special KLM100 livery in honour of the airline’s first flight on May 17, 1920.
On January 3, 2016, PH-BFV was flying from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Beijing, China. About three hours prior to arrival, a male passenger locked himself in a bathroom and intentionally injured himself. He then entered a galley and attacked one of the first officers using a sharp object. The attacker was controlled by crew and passengers. He was arrested upon arrival in Beijing.
Later that year, on September 30, 2016, this B744 was again flying from Amsterdam to Beijing. The climb out of Amsterdam was stopped at 19,000 after a problem with the flaps was detected. After a fuel dump, the aircraft returned to its point of departure. After nearly two hours on the ground, the issue was resolved and the flight continued.
This time on a flight from Beijing to Amsterdam, the Boeing 747-400M had problems on March 11, 2017. On acceleration for takeoff, the left side outboard engine gave off a loud bang followed by flames. The takeoff was rejected.
See more aircraft at our KLM Fleet Page.
Access all our featured aircraft at the Airplane Index Page.
Boeing 747-400M Combi
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.