The Boeing 747, once a staple in global aviation, is now increasingly rare in scheduled passenger flights. Despite its decline, some airlines continue to operate this iconic aircraft on shorter routes, with a recent analysis revealing ten of the shortest scheduled Boeing 747 flights worldwide in 2026. This information, provided by aviation analytics company Cirium, highlights the unique positioning of the Boeing 747 in the current airline landscape.
Short Routes Under 700 Miles
Leading the list of the shortest Boeing 747 routes is the 664-mile flight from Moscow Sheremetyevo Alexander S Pushkin International Airport (SVO) to Kaliningrad (KGD), operated by Aeroflot in January. These flights, conducted by Rossiya Airlines using high-density Boeing 747-400 jets, feature a remarkable capacity of 522 seats. Following closely is the domestic route from Beijing Capital (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), measuring 667 miles (1,073 km). Air China has scheduled an impressive 289 rotations on this route with the Boeing 747-400, alongside 489 rotations using the newer 747-8 model.
He Li, Vice President of Air China, expressed confidence in the Boeing 747’s capabilities during the 2011 order of the 747-8, stating, “Air China has been operating 747s since the 1980s. The new, high-capacity Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver exceptional economics and a great flying experience to our customers.”
Other Notable Short Flights
In addition to these, Korean Air operates its Boeing 747 aircraft on three relatively short routes from its hub at Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN). These include flights to Tokyo Narita (NRT) at 783 miles (1,260 km), Taipei (TPE) at 907 miles (1,460 km), and Hong Kong (HKG) at 1,284 miles (2,066 km). Despite the short distances, the frequency of these flights is limited compared to Air China’s offerings. For example, Taipei has 14 round trips scheduled from January to March, while the Hong Kong route features only six rotations.
Air China also operates two additional domestic routes that slightly exceed the 1,000-mile mark. The route from Beijing Capital to Guangzhou (CAN) spans 1,165 miles (1,875 km) with 569 rotations of the 747-8 and 178 rotations of the 747-400. The other route to Shenzhen (SZX) measures 1,212 miles (1,951 km) with 369 rotations of the 747-400.
While the Boeing 747 is witnessing a decline in its overall presence in the airline industry, certain carriers continue to find innovative ways to maintain profitability with this storied aircraft.
Longer Routes in the Mix
Among the remaining routes on the list, positions eight to ten feature significantly longer flights. The first two are transcontinental domestic routes in Russia, departing from Moscow Sheremetyevo. These routes serve Blagoveshchensk (BQS) at 3,486 miles (5,610 km) and Magadan (GDX) at 3,653 miles (5,879 km). Both routes are operated by Rossiya’s 747-400s under Aeroflot, with Blagoveshchensk seeing 102 rotations compared to Magadan’s 230.
The final route in the top ten is operated by Lufthansa, connecting Frankfurt (FRA) to Boston (BOS). This 3,670-mile (5,906 km) route has 237 scheduled flights this year with the Boeing 747-400, along with a single round trip planned using the 747-8 on April 1.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the Boeing 747 remains a fascinating subject of interest within the context of short-haul and long-haul travel. While its future may be uncertain, the aircraft’s legacy endures through select routes that continue to operate across the globe.
