On August 9, a Boeing 747-8 BBJ operated by Qatar Amiri Flight landed at Palma de Mallorca Airport, also known as Son Sant Joan. Registered as A7-HHE, the jet arrived from Doha and was photographed by aviation enthusiasts on the tarmac. Its scale and the mystery surrounding its passengers drew attention at the airport, about eight kilometres east of Palma.
At approximately 76.3 metres long, with a wingspan of about 68.4 to 68.5 metres, the 747-8 is the largest production version of Boeing’s 747 family. Its size stood out at an airport more commonly associated with narrow-body airliners and smaller business jets. Firefighters, National Police and Guardia Civil units were seen near the aircraft, while local media linked the flight to the Qatari royal family’s summer travels.
Aircraft Details and Operations
Planespotters and Flightradar24 identify A7-HHE as a Boeing 747-8 BBJ with manufacturer serial number 37544, delivered in 2012 and configured for VIP and governmental use. The ICAO aircraft type code for the 747-8 is B748. The BBJ designation refers to Boeing Business Jets, which adapt commercial airframes for private or governmental missions. Unlike a conventional business jet, a 747-8 BBJ retains the scale of a wide-body airliner while allowing a cabin configured with fewer seats and more private living space, including room for meetings and lounges. The specific interior layout of A7-HHE has not been publicly detailed.
The jet’s arrival required coordination on the ground. With a wingspan of about 68.5 metres, the 747-8 falls within ICAO aerodrome code letter F by wingspan, a classification relevant to taxiing and parking plans. After landing, airport teams conducted preventive inspections for foreign object debris (FOD), a standard safety measure for large-aircraft movements. The checks were routine and were not prompted by an incident.
Why This Landing Stood Out
The presence of a private 747-8 at Palma is unusual, particularly during Mallorca’s busy summer season. In August 2025, Son Sant Joan handled around 4.7 million passengers and more than 31,000 flights, information from Aena. Accommodating an aircraft of this size amid regular commercial traffic called for careful scheduling and ground coordination.
Qatar Amiri Flight transports members of Qatar’s ruling family and senior officials. The operator and timing of the Mallorca arrival prompted speculation about a high-profile visit, though the passengers’ identities were not publicly established.
Context and Significance
The landing of A7-HHE showed that Palma airport can accommodate an exceptionally large private aircraft. Its size and the visible security presence attracted public attention, and the arrival unfolded without incident. The event also reflected Mallorca’s appeal as a summer destination for international visitors, including those travelling aboard aircraft configured for private or governmental use.
Son Sant Joan closed 2025 with nearly 34 million passengers, reflecting its status as a major European airport. The appearance of the Boeing 747-8 BBJ illustrated the planning involved in handling a wide-body aircraft alongside the airport’s intensive commercial schedule.
