KLM Boeing 747-200 Fleet History (1971-2004)

The Garuda hybrid livery was too special to be excluded from this :P

Eyo and welcome to my Fleet Histories series where we take a look at the operational history of aircraft fleets both active and retired. Passenger airliners are normally featured, although freighter and government aircraft will be covered occasionally. This series was inspired by the videos of elmauriplatense, Ibirdball, Scaring Crab, and many other aviation Youtubers.

Despite being a loyal Douglas customer in the 1950s and 1960s, KLM ordered the Boeing 747 for increased range on intercontinental routes. The first aircraft, named "Mississippi," was delivered to the airline on January 16, 1971. It marked a milestone in KLM's history as their first ever Boeing aircraft. The 747-200s replaced the older DC-8s on many of the airline's transatlantic and Far East services throughout the 1970s. Some aircraft were later converted to have stretched upper decks from 1984 to 1986 to increase passenger capacity. KLM gained notoriety when one of their 747-200s collided with a Pan Am 747 during take-off from Los Rodeos airport in 1977, resulting in the loss of 583 lives. The last aircraft were retired in 2004 and replaced with the newer 747-400s.

Remake of the original by Muhammad Fadhil2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGPpDwoWHR8

Background videos:
KLM commercial 1988 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtwUxnNYZyE
Eerste Jumbo Jet voor KLM (1971) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixgmmx5CQw&t=11s
KLM 747-300 touch of love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REjjZCfAVII

Image sources: Airliners.net, AirHistory.net, flyteam.jp, AirTeamImages.com, JetPhotos, Planespotters.net

Song: FM-84 - Everything

Видео KLM Boeing 747-200 Fleet History (1971-2004) канала Retro Aviator