747 in Austin

[Devil's Advocate]

Atlas going to MEX. Nothing spooky going on, they fly through AUS all the time. And yes they have proper registration.

In my experience Atlas Air normally looks like this

But a quick check of the web indicates that they now have at least a few aircraft that appear to be in some sort of witness protection (or wet lease) program.

BA replacing the 787 on their flight with a 747? That is very unusual. Many other airlines are retiring their 747s for newer aircraft - like the 787!

A surprise to me too. Aren't 747s,even the newer versions, Fuel Hogs like all 4 engine jets? I may just have to take a day trip to London just to ride on a 747 again!

Depends on what sort of fleet you're operating and which aircraft are available within that fleet. Right now 744's are paid off and fossil fuel is cheap. Thus you have a 747 replacing a 787 from Austin to London.

 

[Ryan]

On your way to the airport, can you tell me what time this plane left?

It was around Noon on Tuesday(10/24) Ryan.

Dude, you had us all looking at the wrong day!

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I give you GTI 8890...

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI8890/history/20171024/1719Z/KAUS/MMMX

 

[Ryan]

Looks like N407KZ and N859GT are the only two in the all white, but both of their whereabouts are accounted for...

I found a picture of N850GT in all white from Jan of 2016, but she's wearing a Panalpina livery in picture before and after that.

Definitely curious!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Thanks Ryan and Chris!!

That all White one looks like what I saw.

 

[PRR 60]

With the carrier and flight number now known, Flightradar24 is your friend.

Atlas Air 8890 operated with N445MC.

N445MC is a B747-400F and was originally operated by Korean Air Lines in cargo service. Atlas Air acquired it in September, thus perhaps the all white paint job.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Thanks Bill, the internet can do amazing things!

 

[Ryan]

I didn’t realize that FR24 will give you tail numbers. That will come in handy.