The 747 has generally been used for international flights. The last United Airlines international flight for the 747 was on October 29, from Seoul, South Korea, to San Francisco.

United Airlines Flight 863 took off from San Francisco like any routine flight—but within seconds, the Boeing 747-400 was in serious trouble. Climbing too slowly, struggling to gain altitude ...

The Boeing 777 was the long-range, relatively high-capacity aircraft United needed to service destinations that were impractical for the 767 and 747. The 777-300ER replaced its Boeing 747-400s.