Ahhh, the queen of the skies. To me, it’s the most beautiful and sexiest passenger aircraft ever built, truly deserving of the title ‘queen.’ I feel so fortunate to have flown on Philippine Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 jets, including RP-C7475, the unique Boeing 747-400M in the fleet. But how did Philippine Airlines (PAL) come to acquire a Boeing 747-400M Combi in its fleet?
So, What is the Boeing 747-400M?
Before delving into the story of the lone 747-400M in PAL’s fleet, let’s explore what a 747-400M, or ‘Combi,’ is. This variant of the Boeing 747-400 serves dual purposes: it can be used both as a full passenger transporter and a full cargo aircraft. Initially known as the 747-400BC, this versatile aircraft in the 747 family combines passenger comfort with significant cargo capacity.
What sets the 747-400M apart from the regular 747-400? The ‘Combi’ features a large cargo door at the rear of the fuselage, allowing efficient loading of freight into the aft main deck cargo hold. For safety and functionality, the aircraft includes a locked partition separating the cargo area from the passenger cabin in the front.
The 747-400M is equipped with passenger amenities and enhanced features such as additional fire protection, a strengthened main deck floor, a roller-conveyor system, and easy conversion equipment between passenger and cargo configurations. These modifications make the 747-400M a versatile choice for airlines looking to maximize their fleet’s utility.
Boeing sold a total of 61 747-400M aircraft, reflecting its niche appeal in the broader 747 family. This figure accompanies the sales of the earlier 747 ‘Combi’ versions, with 78 747-200M and 21 747-300M aircraft sold. The 747-400M’s dual-purpose capability made it a valuable asset for airlines requiring both passenger and cargo transport solutions.
Why did PAL Acquire the 747-400M?
Kuwait Airways ordered two Boeing 747-400M Combis, one with the registry 9K-ADF. However, for reasons I’m still unclear about, Kuwait Airways didn’t take the aircraft. Meanwhile, PAL was expanding its Boeing 747-400 fleet, and 9K-ADF was available as an NTU (Not-Taken Unit). PAL decided to acquire this 747-400M Combi, re-registering it as N754PR. This is why you’ll notice a large door near the rear on the left side of the aircraft – that’s the cargo loading door of RP-C7475, which could be converted into a full cargo aircraft. However, Philippine Airlines never used the 747-400M as a cargo aircraft; it was always operated as a full passenger aircraft.
Innovations in Passenger Comfort
N754PR, as the only 747 in PAL’s fleet with personal entertainment screens for all passengers, was quite advanced at its delivery time. Initially, this Boeing 747-400M featured 32 seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class, and 326 in Economy Class, designed to offer a range of comforts to its travelers.
From N754PR to RP-C7475
In 2008, PAL upgraded the aircraft with a new cabin design. The retrofit introduced Recaro angled lie-flat seats in Business Class and improved Recaro seats in Economy Class, enhancing comfort for long-haul flights. The seating configuration was adjusted to 56 seats in Business Class and 335 in Economy Class.
Each seat came with a Thales i5000 personal entertainment system, offering audio-video on-demand capabilities. Passengers could enjoy a wide range of entertainment options at their fingertips. The aircraft was re-registered as RP-C7475 during this update.
In its final years of service with Philippine Airlines, the Boeing 747-400M mainly flew the Manila to San Francisco route. PAL operated RP-C7475 until its retirement in August 2014, when it was replaced by the more modern, twin-engine Boeing 777-300ER.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
