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Historically, Boeing has been one of the world's largest aerospace companies and commercial aircraft manufacturers. Specifically, the commercial aircraft manufacturing business segment of the aerospace company, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is a powerful force in the industry. Last year, Boeing Commercial Airplanes generated over $22 billion in revenue. Because of this, Boeing has expanded its footprint to employ nearly 50,000 employees at various locations around the world. This includes its major manufacturing facilities in Everett, Washington, and Charleston, South Carolina. Since the company was founded in 1916, over 100 years ago, Boeing has produced a wide variety of commercial aircraft. This includes the Boeing 707, which helped usher the commercial aviation industry into the jet age, and the Boeing 747, the world's first widebody airliner. The company also currently produces several revolutionary aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 narrowbody family and the Boeing 777, the world's most-built widebody airliner. Since the company has been producing aircraft for so long, many of its products have seen the entirety of the aircraft lifecycle. This means that many aircraft have been retired and, eventually, scrapped. However, these aircraft typically last many years in commercial service, with many converting to other operations after their retirement. Let's take a closer look at how long an average Boeing aircraft remains in service. The Average Time Of A Boeing Aircraft In Commercial Service The average age of a Boeing commercial aircraft depends heavily on the type of aircraft and how much it is utilized, especially in terms of flight hours or flight cycles, which count as a take-off and landing. The flight cycle is typically based on the pressurization cycle, which occurs after takeoff. Even so, the type of aircraft, such as a narrowbody or widebody airliner, can have different lengths of service. In general, Boeing aircraft remain in service between 20 and 30 years. These aircraft are then retired, meaning they are sold to a secondary carrier or converted for cargo use. Boeing narrowbody aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 series, have an average age of 12 to 15 years. Even so, many 737s can fly for 25 years or more, especially with good maintenance and refurbishments. Narrowbody aircraft are also cheaper and easier to maintain than larger widebody aircraft. Overall, Boeing widebody aircraft, such as the 777 or the 787, have an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years. However, the older Boeing 747 flew for 30 years or longer before retirement. Many retired widebody aircraft have been converted to freighter aircraft, which many operators have flown for over 40 years. Where A Boeing Aircraft Goes After Commercial Service For many airliners, once the aircraft reaches the end of its commercial service, its journey is far from over. The exact route the aircraft follows depends on its condition, model, and current market demand for used aircraft. However, most retired Boeing aircraft enter secondary markets. This includes operating for smaller airlines, cargo operators, or even charter services. A common next step for aging aircraft is being converted to freighters. Typically, this involves removing passenger seats and reinforcing the cabin floor. This, alongside other refurbishments, allows the jet's useful life to extend by another 10 to 20 years. Converted freighters are in high demand among logistics firms, such as Fedex Express and UPS. According to ch-aviation, these cargo carriers have the following Boeing aircraft in their current fleets: Additionally, many Boeing aircraft are moved to secondary airlines. This includes smaller airlines that cannot afford to purchase brand-new aircraft, but still require airliners for their day-to-day operations. Other Boeing aircraft are utilized by charter operators. These companies typically refurbish the airliner with a new interior, sometimes in a passenger configuration or in a luxury configuration. This may include larger seats, lounge areas, or additional amenities, depending on the type of operator. What Happens To An Aircraft After It Is Retired? After an aircraft is phased out of its secondary life, many Boeing aircraft are officially retired. This means that the aircraft is typically brought to a storage facility. These designated facilities are often called a boneyard or storage yard, located in dry desert regions such as Arizona, California, or Spain. The arid climate helps preserve the airframe and systems, preventing corrosion and damage while airlines or leasing companies decide the aircraft’s future. Some aircraft are kept in a ready-for-service condition while in storage. This means that the aircraft can be reactivated if the aircraft owner sees a specific uptick in demand. Oftentimes, these aircraft do not undergo typical storage preservation, which may include applying protective coatings or removing valuable components. The rest of the aircraft undergo a process called parting out and recycling. Mechanics will strip the aircraft of valuable parts that can be reused, resold, or refurbished. This includes parts like the aircraft engines, avionics systems, and landing gear. The rest of the airframe is typically shredded and recycled. The Average Age Of Boeing Narrowbody Aircraft The main Boeing narrowbody aircraft, the 737 series, has been produced since the late 1960s. Because of this, many early models have been retired and, eventually, scrapped. Even so, many early models, like the 737-200, still have variants in operation today. According to ch-aviation, some of the oldest Boeing 737 aircraft are: Even so, the average age of a Boeing 737 aircraft in commercial service is typically between 12 and 15 years. Many aircraft in the 737 Classic series, which includes the -300, -400, and -500, are operating with smaller regional carriers or cargo carriers and exceed 25 years of service. The 737 NG models, which include the -700, -800, and -900, entered service in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many of these have an average age of 15 to 18 years. Meanwhile, the newest series, the 737 MAX, was introduced in 2017, meaning most fleets have an average age of less than 5 years. The Average Age Of Boeing Widebody Aircraft Boeing widebody jets are designed for intercontinental travel, carrying hundreds of passengers over great distances. These aircraft are typically significant financial investments and are built for durability. Because of this, widebody aircraft typically remain in service longer than narrowbody aircraft. Depending on the model, the average age of Boeing widebody aircraft in commercial service sits between 12 and 18 years. Among Boeing aircraft, the "Queen of the Skies," the Boeing 747, stands out for its longevity. Many 747s have served for 25 to 30 years or more, particularly those converted into freighters after their passenger careers ended. According to ch-aviation, the oldest Boeing 747s still in commercial or cargo service include: Additionally, other Boeing aircraft have remained in operation for numerous years. The 767, introduced in the 1980s, still remains prevalent in the air cargo industry. Passenger variants have an average age of just over 20 years, while older variants remain in cargo service. The 777, Boeing's most successful widebody, entered service in the 1990s. Early models are still flying, although newer variants, like the 777-300ER, reduce the overall fleet's age to just under 16 years. The Boeing 787 is the company's newest widebody, introduced in the early 2010s. The majority of these aircraft are relatively new, so the average age is well under 10 years. Maintenance, Overhauls, And Keeping Aircraft Airborne Overall, the lifespan of any aircraft depends on the maintenance procedures as much as it depends on the initial design and materials of the aircraft. Modern airliners are built to fly for tens of thousands of flight hours and cycles. However, this endurance is only achieved through a carefully planned maintenance schedule. This also includes regular inspections, which ensure that even the smallest signs of corrosion and fatigue are detected and corrected, helping to ensure the aircraft's lifecycle remains long. Commercial aircraft maintenance programs typically follow several different tiers of inspections. For example, A-Checks are frequent inspections that are performed every few hundred flight hours and are often completed while the aircraft is at its gate. C-Checks are much more comprehensive and require the aircraft to be taken out of service for several days to examine multiple aircraft systems and airframe components. However, the most invasive procedure is the D-Check. This heavy maintenance inspection occurs every six to ten years and can take several weeks to complete. Typically, this requires technicians to strip the aircraft down to its bare structure and includes inspecting the entire aircraft. These maintenance checks and overhauls help to ensure that the jet remains airworthy and also help to extend the aircraft's operational life. Ultimately, aircraft maintenance is a balance between engineering precision and regulatory compliance. For any airliner, meticulous maintenance is the key to achieving its longevity in the industry.
