The Story Of KLM’s Stretched Upper Deck Boeing 747-200s

In 2020, KLM retired its last Boeing 747 aircraft. This brought the curtain down on nearly half a century of jumbo jet operations at the Dutch flag carrier. The first variant of the ‘Queen of the skies’ that KLM operated was the 747-200, which initially had the same short upper deck as the original 747-100. However, several examples of KLM’s 747-200s ended up having a stretched upper deck, which would eventually become a standard feature on later 747s, but there’s an interesting story behind how these came to be...

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[ConcordeError]

This 747-200's in St Maarten truly are the most iconic photo in aviation

[AidenTheAviator]

That one picture of the non-stretched KLM 747-200 is PH-BUF. The same 747 involved in the Tenerife airport collision in 1977 which is the deadliest aviation accident of all time, with 583 people being killed.

[stinooke]

As a kid, I used to fly these every year from AMS to IAH to visit my grandparents who live in south Texas! I once charmed one of the flight attendants with a drawing of the plane, and was rewarded with a visit to the flight deck. This was pre 9/11, of course. Absolutely unforgettable!

[johnsmith]

Japan Airlines had some 747-100 SUD's and were used on high density domestic routes with 550 or so passengers. It was built with stretched upper deck, not converted like the KLM examples.

[bjornrommens]

I've flown on one of the final flights of KLMs' 747-200 in the stretched upper deck. It was truly a humbling experience.

[MarcvanExel]

I have an original photo somewhere that was taken by KLM during this refit of one off their aircraft. Is shows the aircraft minus the roof and the new installed flooring for the upperdeck is visible. Have to find it again but it's really nice.

[sytrxrainz]

The chronology in the video is a little wrong as the SUD conversion was offered AFTER (not before) the 747-300 arrived on the market to bring some late model -200s up to -300 standard. By the time the -300 arrived plans were already well underway for the -400, hence it's low sales.

[EruYagami]

I always considered those as the 747-300 type… never knew they were customised -200 airplanes.

[funtimefreddyreis]

Wow! I was wondering why klm b747-200’s had stretched upper deck! Thanks for the information.

[alexandermartinristl]

this was a great video. very enjoyable because it features the very rare 747-200 with the extended top. I have seen this plane many years ago once or twice and was always wondering about it. Great video as always and always!

[danielraas]

Very interesting point indeed !
I had always thought it was the 300 that had stretched the upper deck.. Thank you for enlightening us !

[scpatlnow]

I flew on the 747-400 in the "bubble" several times on Qantas. I am so glad I got the chance to fly on the "Queen of the Sky"

[LeeJamaica]

What makes it more cool is that they flew these to St Marteen

[alooga]

I felt "special" whenever I had a chance to fly on the upper deck of the original 747-200. It was very quiet, too (but flight attendants liked to knock us out with liberal serving of alcohol).

[Aleksandarix]

I am happy to say that I've flown aboard this variant with KLM between Toronto and Amsterdam in 2000. I even have a 1:200 diecast model of it.

[subwooferbone]

My first intercontinental flight was on a KLM 747-200 combi back in 1988, AMS-YMX. Have spent a lot of hours in KLM 747s, sad to see them go last year without any opportunity of a farewell flight. Yes, the IFE was getting long in the tooth and no onboard wifi (which I consider a plus) but a good, reliable and fast jet.

Blame it on the ´rona...

[HollandD]

I think have flown with the 747-300 during the 90s and early somewhere at 2001/2002, which I still remember (not the 90s). Then with the 747-400, and a few years ago a couple of times with the combi variants.
Iconic times

[jouniairplanevideos]

my great grand father used to work for KLM for 43 years!!! He worked on the 747 as well. So I think he worked on them before and ofter mofidications!

[Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

In 1972 some friends and I flew from Houston to Amsterdam for a vacation. We did without working amenities such as reading lights and attendant call systems because, apparently, the KLM techs had not yet learned how to maintain the multiplexed cabin control and indication systems. Same results on the return flight.

[ljacobs]

Flew on the KLM 747 combis from Amsterdam to Houston many times in the upper deck. Lovely aircraft. Always enjoy KLM.