United Airlines 747-400 PlaneTags: A Piece of N120UA Now Available to the Public

For nearly two decades, N120UA, a Boeing 747-400, carried United Airlines passengers across the globe, serving as a powerful symbol of long-haul travel and the airline’s international reach. After its retirement in 2017, this iconic aircraft was dismantled in Victorville, California, where MotoArt recovered portions of its fuselage to preserve its story in a unique way.

Originally released in 2023 as an employee-exclusive collectible, the United Airlines 747 PlaneTags made from N120UA are now being offered to the general public beginning May 15, 2025. In this blog, we’ll explore the legacy of the 747-400, United’s deep connection to this aircraft, and how it became part of the PlaneTags collection.

The Boeing 747-400: A Giant Leap in Aviation

When Boeing introduced the 747 in 1970, it changed the aviation world overnight. As the first wide-body “jumbo jet,” the 747 dramatically increased passenger capacity and brought long-distance travel to the masses. It was a marvel of engineering—with its iconic humpbacked fuselage, four powerful engines, and the ability to carry hundreds of passengers farther than ever before.

United Airlines Boeing 747-400 flickr photo by Deanster1983, PLEASE READ THE ABOUT PART OF MY PRO shared under a Creative Commons (BY-ND) license

By the time the 747-400 variant was launched in 1989, Boeing had fine-tuned the original design into one of the most capable and efficient aircraft of its time. The 747-400 featured significant upgrades:

• Winglets to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency

• Glass cockpit with advanced avionics, eliminating the need for a flight engineer

• Increased range of over 7,200 nautical miles

• Improved engines, such as the Pratt & Whitney PW4056, providing better performance and lower operating costs

• Modernized cabin systems for a smoother and quieter ride

These enhancements made the 747-400 the long-haul workhorse of the 1990s and 2000s, dominating international skies and allowing airlines to connect cities across continents with fewer stops. It set the standard for global air travel and earned its place in history not just as an aircraft, but as a cultural icon—synonymous with exploration, innovation, and the golden age of international flight.

United 747-422 At A Glance

United 747-422 Characteristics:

• Manufacturer: Boeing
• Type: 747-422
• Tail #: N120UA
• Crew: 16 (2 Pilots, 14 Flight Attendants)
• Passengers: 374 (12 Global First Class, 52 Business Class, 70 Economy Plus, 240 Economy)
• Wing Span: 211 ft 5 in
• Length: 231 ft 10 in
• Height: 63 ft 8 in

United 747-422 Performance:

• Range: 6,990 mi
• Cruise Speed: 655 mph
• Max Takeoff: 800,000 lb
• Empty Operating Weight: 403,800 lb
• Ceiling: 45,000 ft
• Rate of Climb: 2,500 ft / min
• Engines: 4x Pratt & Whitney PW4056

Don't miss our other Queens - these 747s belong in your collection. TWA | Atlas Air | Korean Air | Qantas | 

United Airlines and the 747-400: Connecting the World

United Airlines welcomed the 747-400 into its fleet in 1989, expanding its capacity to serve long-haul international markets with greater efficiency and comfort. These aircraft were central to United’s global strategy throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly on transpacific and transatlantic routes.

N120UA joined the fleet in 1999 and quickly became a workhorse on flagship routes like San Francisco to Tokyo, Chicago to Frankfurt, and other major intercontinental journeys. With its distinctive upper deck, powerful engines, and United’s three-class configuration, N120UA offered a premier experience for international travelers.

For nearly 20 years, it played a vital role in maintaining United’s reputation as a global carrier, before taking its final flight and retiring in 2017 as part of the airline’s shift to more fuel-efficient twin-engine jets.

Watch this fond farewell to the 747 from United.

United Airlines: A Century of Innovation and Flight

Photo courtesy of the United Airlines Historical Foundation. Read more here.

Founded as Varney Air Lines in 1926, United Airlines has been shaping aviation for nearly 100 years. It introduced many inflight firsts, became a founding member of the Star Alliance, and operated one of the most iconic fleets in aviation history.

From early airmail routes to global networks, United has remained a leader in commercial flight.

United Firsts: Pioneering the Skies

• 1930: First airline to hire a female flight attendant (Ellen Church)

• 1936: First airline to offer an in-flight meal using their new functional flight kitchen

• 1955: First U.S. airline to order jet aircraft, the Douglas DC-8 

• 1970: Among the first U.S. carriers to operate the Boeing 747, after Pan Am

• 1995: First commercial airline to use GPS-based navigation, using DGPS and Integrity Beacons, with testing over 110 automatic landings of a Boeing 737

• 1997: Founding member of Star Alliance, with Lufthansa, Air Canada, Scandinavian Airlines and Thai Airways International

United’s Branding Through the Years

New United Livery flickr photo by airbus777 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Over the decades, United has updated its branding to reflect changing eras in aviation. Here are some of the highlights from the Jet Age:

• The Blue and White Wedge (1950s-60s): all-white top and a blue cheatline, with blue and red wedge on the vertical stabilizer

• “Friend Ship” Livery (1970s): Patriotic red, white, and blue, launched with the 747

• Saul Bass Tulip Livery (1970s): Iconic colorful cheatlines & tulip logo

• Battleship Gray (1993–2004): N120UA was delivered in this iconic dark gray livery

• Blue Tulip or Rising Blue (2004–2010): Modern gradient tail with lighter tones

• Continental Globe (2010–2019): Post-merger branding

• New United Livery (2019–now): Featuring the blue globe on the vertical stabilizer. Read more about it here.

N120UA transitioned between the Battleship Gray and Rising Blue eras, making it a visual time capsule of United’s evolution.

N120UA: A Distinguished Member of United’s 747 Fleet

United Airlines B747-422, N120UA flickr photo by usf1fan2 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

N120UA (serial number 29166, line number 1209) took its first flight on March 29, 1999, and was delivered to United on April 12 of that year. It went on to fly more than 72,314 hours over 8,142 cycles, operating on major international routes for nearly two decades.

After its retirement in 2017, N120UA was flown to Victorville, California for storage and eventual dismantling. Though it no longer flies, its legacy is now preserved in a unique and lasting way.

United Airlines Airbus Boeing 747-400; N120UA@SYD;29.07.2012/664by flickr photo by Aero Icarus shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license

MotoArt Finds a United 747-400

MotoArt acquired sections of N120UA’s fuselage in Victorville and partnered with United Airlines to preserve a one-of-a-kind collectible for the people who knew this aircraft best, United employees.

Through a private online portal and airshow events, employees were given exclusive access to PlaneTags made from N120UA’s original skin. These tags became keepsakes for pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and office staff who had worked with the aircraft throughout its lifetime.

Now, in 2025, with United’s approval, a limited number of these tags are being offered to the general public for the first time.

“Working with United to create these PlaneTags for their employees was an incredible honor. This aircraft meant so much to so many people. Now, we’re proud to share a piece of that history with the public. It’s a chance for more collectors and aviation fans to connect with the legacy of the 747 and United’s role in shaping global air travel.”
— Dave Hall, Founder of MotoArt PlaneTags

About the United 747-400 PlaneTags

Each PlaneTag is made from authentic fuselage skin recovered from N120UA and handcrafted in our Torrance, California workshop. They are custom-engraved on the back with:

• Aircraft registration: N120UA

• Years in service with United: 1999–2017
  

• Flight hours: 72,314
  

• Flight cycles: 8,142
  
  

This is a limited release of 10,000 tags, most of which were distributed to United employees. Only a small number are available now for public purchase.

More from United: Explore the Collection

In addition to the 747-400, MotoArt has preserved other aircraft from United’s historic fleet. Explore these additional PlaneTags:

• Boeing 767-300 (N646UA) – Long-range wide-body that powered United’s global network. Learn more: Wings of United: The Journey of Boeing 767-322ER N646UA
  

• Boeing 727-200 (N7630U) – A workhorse of domestic and short-haul routes, clad in the Saul Bass livery. Read about it: United Airlines 727: An Icon of the Skies
  
  

• Boeing 757-200 (N559UA) – Narrow-body jet known for versatility and reliability. Get its story here: United's Mainstay: Celebrating the 757-222's Contributions to Aviation
  
  

Whether you’re a collector, a United employee or retiree, or an aviation enthusiast, these tags offer a tangible link to United’s proud history.