Airframe Value: Boeing 747's Scrapped Metal Worth Less Than Landing Gear

A Boeing 747's airframe is worth less than its landing gear and engines when it's retired and sent to a boneyard for scrapping. The aircraft is flown there, where recyclers remove high-value parts that can be resold or reused in other planes. These components include the engines, which can sell for up to $2 million each, the landing gear at around $300,000, and cockpit displays for approximately $30,000 each.

After removing these valuable components, the rest of the airframe is worth less than the scrap metal it contains, which amounts to roughly $55,000. This dynamic isn't unique to the 747; even new aircraft are often sold at a discount due to their high-value engines and other components. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is listed at $125 million by Boeing but typically sells for less than half that, around $56 million.

Engines, landing gear, and other high-value components make up the majority of an aircraft's value, new or old. Airlines can acquire used engines and parts from other planes for significantly less money and in less time than ordering new ones. This process is often more economical than buying new components, especially when considering the long lead times involved.