N249BA

This airframe, registered as N249BA, is a Boeing-built 747-409LCF (Dreamlifter) constructed in 1990 with manufacturer serial number 24309. It is owned by BOEING AIRCRAFT HOLDING CO, a corporate owner based in Seattle, WA, US, and has been maintained within Boeing’s corporate holdings since build. The type is recorded on the US registry under the US registration N249BA, and the airframe is notable for its conversion to an outsized cargo role rather than passenger service. Ownership has remained with Boeing’s corporate holding entity, reflecting continued use in manufacturer and logistics support roles rather than commercial airline service.

The airframe is configured as a large freighter with an outsized cargo hold providing approximately 65,000 cu ft of internal volume; the cabin is not passenger-configured and accommodates only cockpit crew plus minimal jumpseats. Typical mission profiles for this Dreamlifter configuration emphasize long-range, heavy or volumetric cargo movements supportive of manufacturing and supply-chain logistics rather than scheduled passenger services. With a minimal crew accommodation of 2 seats, the aircraft operates from Boeing’s Seattle-area base and other major cargo-capable airports, following routings that maximize its 4,200 nm range and high-volume payload capability. Maintenance considerations for this specific aircraft center on freighter structural modifications and the unique cargo handling systems associated with the Dreamlifter conversion.

The Boeing 747-409LCF (Dreamlifter) variant occupies a niche as a specialized outsized cargo transporter derived from the 747-400 series, trading passenger capacity for exceptional volumetric cargo space. Its four Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines and a service ceiling of 43,000 ft provide robust long-range performance for manufacturer logistics tasks rather than traditional airline operations. Competing options are limited due to the Dreamlifter’s unique large-volume hold; resale is typically limited to operators with specific outsized cargo needs or manufacturers, and maintenance and market demand reflect that specialized role. Resale and operational valuation are influenced heavily by structural conversion status and the ongoing need for volumetric transport within aerospace supply chains.