Qatar Airways Cargo’s last queen freighter, registration A7-BGB, saw its last commercial cargo service as flight QR8807 touched down in Doha at 15:00 local time on 1 March 2024, coming from Barcelona.

The retirement of the airline’s last Boeing 747F is expected to fast-track the carrier’s focus on greener flying.

A7-BGB joined the fleet on 26 September 2017. Throughout its 7-year service, the freighter’s main destination was Incheon at 1,165 flights, followed by Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Guangzhou, which were also among the top 10 cargo destinations.

Combined with another freighter of the type, the iconic aircraft saw more than 9,000 flights, over 66,000 block hours and almost 800,000 tonnes in over seven years, carrying race cars, racehorses and much needed kits and medical equipment during the pandemic.

Mark Drusch, cargo chief at Qatar Airways, commented: “Our Next Generation freighter strategy is based both on evolving customer expectations and our firm commitment on sustainability and efficiency.

“Efficiency is achieved through fleet harmonization and simplification, and sustainability is improved by the latest in-flight and fuel technology.

“For these important factors, Qatar Airways Cargo is the launch customer for Boeing’s next generation 777-8F freighter, the most fuel efficient, lowest carbon footprint freighter in the cargo industry

“We are committed to the most modern and cleanest freighter fleet in the industry.”

Qatar Airways Cargo has a firm order for 34 B777-8F, with options for 16 more, The airline is set to welcome its 28th Boeing widebody freighter in mid-March