Yes lot of duped people really think the TWA800 was due to structural flaws, or spontaneous fuel combustion, Clinton admin covered up what really happened big time. I didn't know there are so many article about 747 retiring or phasing them out. It listed Lufthansa getting rid of their 747’s but actually they have lots of 747-8 on order with already 19 while they have 16 380’s in their fleet. 380 coast $430 million while 747-8 $365 millions. Maybe they're just getting rid of the old ones 200s and some 400s. I'd prefer flying on 747 than die_by_wire 380.
Got to remember the highest number 747 version or dirivertive sold was the 747 - 400 .
First flight of the 747-400 was back in 1989 and by the early 90s many airlines already had it in their fleet.
I would guess the average life of a 747-400 would be between 15 years to 25 years depending on how many cycles flown and how well it was maintained.
There are still alot of 747-400s still flying that still have some cycles life left in the.
I got to fly on 6 747 - 400s and 1 747-200