MEXICO-FRANCE 2016 Flight cover on board BOEING B747 Air France, Last Flight Mexico-Paris (B747-AF439T2)

Air France is turning a page in its history: after 45 years of loyal service, the Boeing 747 has completed its "last commercial flight AF-439 Mexico - Paris" on January 10-11, 2016.

The Boeing 747, registered F-GITJ, landed on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 1:54 p.m. at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, arriving from Mexico City, where it had departed the previous day at 9:29 p.m., marking the end of the 747's operational service in the Air France fleet.

Upon arrival, the Jumbo Jet took up position in front of the French flagpole at Air France Headquarters, where several hundred personnel had gathered to pay their respects one last time. The Aéroports de Paris firefighters also paid tribute with a traditional watering ceremony. It was with the kind assistance of the cabin crew of flight AF 439 that we were able to transport mail on board this last historic flight.

The Boeing B747 joined the Air France fleet in May 1970, becoming its new "flagship," replacing the B707. The first 747, recognizable by its famous hump, was launched on the Paris-New York route, before being deployed to all sectors: Seychelles, Mauritius, the West Indies... In total, Air France operated 74 of these aircraft, all versions combined.