Following an announcement earlier this year that they'd be retiring the fleet, the very last Cathay Pacific 747 flight will take place tomorrow (Saturday October 8). The 60-minute ride – exclusive to current and former staff – will depart Hong Kong International Airport at 10.30am, from which point it will fly east straight through Victoria Harbour and head over the Lei Yue Mun Gap. The flight marks the end of our carrier's ultra-large aircraft era, after the 747 first entered service in 1979. The 747s will officially be replaced by the Boeing 777-300ER, which is slightly smaller but has more fuel efficient twin-jet engines.
As for what will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime photo op, the best place to view the beast fly through the harbour will be the Peak or atop Lion Rock. IFC and ICC are also solid (and, importantly, air conditioned) options for higher views, while ground level options include West Kowloon Cultural District, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, TST and Kennedy Town promenades, MegaBox and the Tsing Ma Bridge Observation Deck.