Cargolux LX-YCV

It’s June now and that means long, slow sunsets that make for excellent aircraft photos if the day hasn’t been too hot or humid. Seen here is Cargolux’s LX-YCV (msn: 35805) arriving at SeaTac from Glasgow Prestwick.

Most of the attention given to Cargolux’s fleet in the last two years has been on the 747-8F, but LX-YCV is the newest of the Luxembourg-based carrier’s 747-400F fleet, delivered on July 21st, 2008, less than a year before 747-400 production ended (so that Boeing could begin ramping up the 747-8). It is also the only aircraft in the fleet to wear this abbreviated color scheme, where the stripes fade to the overall fuselage color. Cargolux is also currently operating two former Korean Air 747-400BCFs in a mostly white scheme with only a tail logo for visual identification. Until April Cargolux had operated a third 747-400BCF (msn: 24801), but that aircraft is now with Air Atlanta Icelandic and operating for Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo.

Cargolux continues to work in concert with new partner (and part owner) Qatar Airways on its North American routes, though there have not been many changes over the past few months.

Photographer: Alex Kwanten