"So goodbye my friend, I know I'll never see you again..." The lyrics were apt as I took one last look at an Air India B747 cockpit after the final flight of "Agra" from DEL-BOM. Several aviation enthusiasts converged last-minute at Delhi to brave Covid and travel, sharing their memories with the visibly nostalgic crew. My long association with the Maharaja's Queens started aboard AI's first B747 "Emperor Ashoka" in 1971 and continued to the end, marking 50 unique years of travel on these fabulous jets.

Final touchdown of an Air India B747 at Kolkata as "Agra" arrives on Rwy 19L at NSCBIA for the last time. There were AI B747 services out of Calcutta to Tokyo and to Europe and the USA in 1980, so the association with the airport has been for more than four decades.

"Agra" as AI401 from DEL on short final for NSCBIA on a winter morning as she approaches with gear down and full flaps set at 30 degrees, doing between 140-150 knots. This was the last week of the Queen operating to Kolkata, though nobody really knew at the time how long 747 the service would continue to the city.

Parked at time of upload

Arriving with delegates for the 2014 G20 summit.

Delivered new 31st Oct 1996 and current at time of upload

A beautiful plane with a beautiful livery in beautiful evening light. The Indian delegates for the G20 summit have arrived.