Delta’s 747, on farewell tour, will touch down in L.A.

Delta Air Lines’ farewell tour of its 747 airplane, known as queen of the skies for its wide-body size and comfort, will make a stop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this week.

The 747 is expected to land before 10 a.m. Wednesday, when Delta employees, members of the media and invited guests can tour the Boeing jumbo jet that made its first flight in 1969.

Angelenos who want to see the aircraft should visit the free Flight Path Museum & Learning Center (6661 W. Imperial Highway) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday. You won’t be able to go inside, but you will be able to see the exterior.

Delta is the last U.S. carrier to retire the aircraft from its fleet. Its last scheduled 747 flight flew from Seoul, Korea, to Detroit, Mich., earlier this week. United Airlines also retired the hulking jet; its last flight was in November.

The plane, with what Delta calls a “whale hump” formed by the profile of its upper deck (once sold as posh “penthouse” seats with dedicated servers), made long-haul flights more affordable. Even fliers sitting in economy class benefited from roomy seats and aisles.

In recent years, the plane was eclipsed by more fuel-efficient wide bodies, such as the Boeing 777 and 787, and Airbus A330 and 350.

Delta says it will use the 747 for occasional charter flights.

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