KLM Take Off

KLM just pushed back.

...and there it goes. Sunset was wall-to-wall people.

end of an era....

Very sad to see her go. Very cool water salute though! Hope someone got a picture of that!

People were parked all the way to Beachside Villas.

Tim--are you at Beachside now? Lucky you, if so!

We watched from afar in Canada on the Maho Beach Cam. At one point for landing, there were over 4800 Viewers! Then when it pushed back and turned around on the tarmac to get ready for takeoff, BOTH pilots were waving and there was a sign in the window of the cockpit that read, "Bye Bye SXM!"

Gosh, we're going to miss the Big Blue Bird....

It just will not be the same without the B-747!

Great to be able to see both landing and take off. What a way to get my SXM fix as next visit won't be until April.

The everything sxm site has a photo. Would like a copy of it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

If you missed it you can find some highlights on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/Maho.Beach.Cam/

Daily Herald story The pilot was nostalgic also..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ob4pDzcvg

I have to applaud klm and Air France for bringing the jumbo in all these years. While perfectly safe, there is less margin for error here than other laces.

This video is a double jerker as the 747 is sun setting itself and the departure from Sxm is very sad.

Hoping klm receives a groundswell of Dutch regulars begging for the 747's return.

Thanks for posting the youtube film. Now whenever I need my KLM fix, I'll have to watch it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Unfortunately, that won't be happening. They are in the process of retiring 747s from their fleet, albeit at a much slower pace due to lower fuel prices.

Needed to find a Kleenex after watching that.

Future visits won't be the same without seeing that big, blue bird.

We always flew the AF 747 to Paris and sat in the upper deck for a reasonable $90. No more. AF retired them earlier this year

Unfortunately, that won't be happening. They are in the process of retiring 747s from their fleet, albeit at a much slower pace due to lower fuel prices. [/quote]

Yes, I just read that 70% lower jet fuel costs than June 2014 may have delayed Kim's retirement plans for 747 to just beyond 2020. As the 747 airframes are fully depreciated, lower gas makes me a good deal. Hoping for cheap jet gas.

Very neat video, especially for those who didn't see it on Friday! On Friday, I had seen the pilots wave and the sign in the window. I hadn't seen the third person in the cockpit with the camera then. I'm sure they got some good shots! I would expect KLM will have some kind of a video released at some point.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RMAU2xcOyLQ

Another short video compilation from both ends of runway including far end looking back with BSV off to side.

I can't watch these without great sadness that 747 will not be intermingled with SXM. This sounds bad, but I love 747 and SXM and It is gutwrenching death in the family like feeling for me.

I wish they would change their mind and give curaçao an airbus A330.

Let's start an online petition. I think TTOL could spread the word. I'll take once a week.