HZ-AIF Boeing 747SP-68

HZ-AIF. Boeing 747SP-68. c/n 22503-529.

Saudi Arabian Airlines ordered two B-747SPs for use on its very long range routes, notably the proposed non-stop service from Jeddah to New York. The first aircraft, the thirty-ninth B-747SP to be constructed, was ordered on December 19, 1979. Powered by Rolls Royce RB211-524CS engines it was rolled out at the Boeing plant at Everett on May 13, 1981.

Entered onto the Saudi Aircraft Register as HZ- AIF it flew for the first time on June 04, 1981. Accepted at Paine Field on June 23, 1981 it was configured to seat 18 First Class, 26 Business Class and 222 Economy Class passengers. It operated the first Jeddah - New York service on July 02, 1981. It was not long before this service was increased to four non-stop flights per week.

This aircraft was observed at Zurich Airport on August 17, 2002 in the new Saudi Arabian Airlines livery.

Over the years this aircraft has been used as a VIP transport for members of the Saudi Royal Family and their guests and has been observed and photographed at many varied locations. It still earns its keep flying to this day in the current livery.

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian Airlines - in the original livery at Dusseldorf Airport, April 1984.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-313.)

HZ-AIF. Saudia - in the original livery at an unknown airport, August 1987.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-575.)

HZ-AIF. Saudia - in the original livery at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, January 1994.

(N. Roozen Copyright Image 4635-260.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian Airlines - in the original livery at Paris Orly Airport, October 1994.

(C. Laugier Copyright Image 4635-622.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian Airlines - in the original livery at Stuttgart Airport, June 1995.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-674.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian Airlines - in the original livery at an unknown airport, August 1995.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-267.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian Airlines - in the original livery at Osaka Airport, August 1996.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-261.)

HZ-AIF. Saudia - in the original livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-930.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian - in the new livery at an unknown airport, August 2000.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-268.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian - in the new livery at an unknown airport, September 06, 2002.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-931.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian - in the new livery at an unknown airport, February 2003.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-262.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian - in the new livery at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, November 2003.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-673.)

HZ-AIF. Saudi Arabian - in the new livery with additional 'God Bless You' titles at Geneva Airport, April 2011.