The Boeing 747 has become one of the most iconic airplanes ever built since it was introduced in 1970. The double-decker aircraft pioneered the use of the term “jumbo jet.”
But the “Queen of the Skies” is growing old, and its four engines are thirstier than newer, more fuel-efficient jets.
During the pandemic, airlines like British Airways, KLM, and Qantas retired their 747s, and Boeing decided to end production.
A handful of Boeing 747s are still flying commercially, but you’re more likely to see one carrying cargo.
Yet sometimes, reputation outweighs efficiency. The 747 is still the jet of choice for 11 governments and royal families around the world.
Air Force One is the most iconic — although technically, it’s not a 747 but a militarized version called the VC-25A. The jumbo jet is most popular among leaders in Asia, primarily the Middle East.
In alphabetical order, here are the countries that have their own Boeing 747s.
Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf, is one of many oil-rich nations on this list.
Bahrain Royal Flight operates two 747-400s which are both over 20 years old. They are used to fly King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his family.
Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the flashiest leaders in the world. His palace has over 1,700 rooms, more than 2 million sq ft of space, and a 110-car garage.
One of the few absolute monarchs on this list, he has one Boeing 747-8, which is operated by the airline Sultan’s Flight.
Sultan’s Flight previously had another two 747s. Its current fleet also includes a Boeing 767 and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was delivered in 2018.
China
China is the only country whose governmental Boeing 747 is actually operated by its flag carrier.
With the Air China livery, it looks the same as the airline’s eight 747s on the outside. However, the one registered B-2479 is said to have been kitted out for the government to use.
During Xi Jinping‘s visit to South America in November, Air China deployed another 747 for other personnel, as well as a cargo version that carried a luxury Hongqi car, Simple Flying reported.
Morocco
Morocco has the lowest GDP per capita on this list, of $4,204. However, the royal family is one of the richest: Forbes estimated that King Mohammed VI had a net worth of $5.7 billion in 2015.
There are two jumbo jets registered to the country’s government: a 747-400 and a larger 747-8. It also owns a Boeing 737.
The 747s have “Kingdom of Morocco” written on the side in Arabic, and stripes in the flag’s colors of red and green. It’s similar to the former livery of the country’s flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc.
Oman
Like Brunei’s leader, the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq also heads an absolute monarchy.
Oman Royal Flight operates two Boeing 747s. The older 747-400 was delivered in 2001, while a newer 747-8 was delivered in 2012.
The Sultan also owns a business-jet version of Airbus’ A320 and A319 jets.
Qatar
The Boeing 747 pictured above may look like a Qatar Airways plane from the outside, but it is only used to transport the country’s ruling Al-Thani family.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Noora bint Hathal Al Dosari, arrived on one of their two 747-8s when they visited the UK in December.
Qatar Amiri Flight has 13 planes in total — the most of any on this list.
Bloomberg estimated the family’s fortune to be $150 billion. The country’s sovereign wealth fund has myriad investments around the globe, including a substantial stake in London Heathrow Airport.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has the richest royal family in the world. Including its holdings in state oil company Aramco, some estimates put the figure over $1 trillion.
Among its six active jets is one Boeing 747-400, per ch-aviation data.
88-year-old King Salman travels with a 1,500-person entourage and two Mercedes Benz limousines, The Points Guy reported.
He also has a golden escalator to board and deplane the 747 — which once malfunctioned on a trip to Russia.
Saudi king’s golden escalator gets stuck after he lands in Russia on first official visit https://t.co/5KFXmyMaN8 pic.twitter.com/S3ood2biLd
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 6, 2017
South Korea
South Korea’s presidential jet is known as Code One — an upgraded 747-8 leased from flag carrier Korean Air.
It’s the newest plane on this list, in service since January 2022.
“From decorating the exterior of the plane to remodeling the inside of the plane with customized facilities for the president, such as an office room and sleeping area, the plane needs to reinforce its protection function for the security of the president,” an industry inside told The Korea Herald.
Turkey
After opposition politicians expressed concern about using taxpayers’ money to buy a jet, Qatar’s Al-Thani gifted Turkey a $500 million Boeing 747-8 in 2018, per the BBC.
The two countries grew closer after Turkey supported Qatar during a diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021, when other Arab states cut off ties.
The Turkish government also owns four Airbus planes.
United States
Air Force One is perhaps the most iconic governmental plane. However, it stands out from the rest because it isn’t technically a 747. Instead, it’s a militarized version called the VC-25A, meaning it can do things like refuel in midair.
However, it’s over 30 years old, with two new ones in the pipeline. In his first term, Donald Trump renegotiated the contract with Boeing to limit costs below $4 billion. He most likely won’t get to fly on the new jets, though, with delivery now expected in 2029.
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