Posted on 12/08/2022 7:26:20 AM PST by Salman
An aviation era has come to an end as Boeing's last 747 has taxied out of the Everett, Washington factory, punctuating the jumbo jet's 54-year production run.
The final craft, a 747-8 freighter, will be delivered to airplane-cargo biz Atlas Air after final tests in early 2023, Boeing revealed. While the 1,574th 747 will be the last one assembled, the familiar bulbous silhouette is hardly going to disappear from the skies overnight, according to Boeing VP and GM for the 747 and 767 programs, Kim Smith. "We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," she said.
While there are not many still in service as passenger planes, 747s will likely be flown for at least another decade or two.
The jumbo is a four-engine behemoth that began production in 1967 and, at 250 feet (76.2m) from tail to tip, is the longest commercial airframe in service. Boeing's Everett Production Facility, which the flying machine maker claims is the largest manufacturing building in the world, was specifically built to manufacture the 747. It will now be used to assemble Boeing 767, 777, and 787 aircraft.
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”Got onboard a westbound 747...”
I love these jets. I want to fly one.
Mr. GG2 used to help build them in Everett as well as work on Air Force One.
Going upstairs during a long flight is always a bit of fun.
the world’s first jumbo jet
prior to that, every plane’s passenger compartment was 6 six seats wide, with one aisle down the middle
the 747 was 8 seats wide, with two aisles ... and an upper-deck lounge behind the cockpit!
Boeing took a huge financial risk with its development ... but it paid off, big-time
the right jet at the right time!
j/k!
btw, note also that the other company associated with the 747’s development - Pan Am Airways, the first customer, which wanted the big jets for their Asia runs - didn’t survive
I used to travel from SEA to Asia frequently. My company allowed business coach for long flights. Business was upstairs behind the cockpit.
I’d fly down to SFO first as most Asia bound 747s originated from there just to fly that wonderful plane.
The Queen of the Skies was a gem!!!
The Queen of the Skies...always and forever. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and most of those trips were in a 747. I’ve also flown the A380 several times...a nice aircraft but not in the same league as the 747.
Better hurry! All 4 engine planes are disappearing and today there are only two airlines that fly passengers in one...Lufthansa and Korean Air. Lots and lots of 747 freighters though.
Lockerbie
The first plane I ever flew on was a 727. I remember it was LOUD.
I loved flying in 747s between Anchorage and Honolulu — back in the ‘70s and/or ‘80s. That little upstairs lounge room was so cool!
“ I love these jets. I want to fly one.” I do and don’t particularly like it!
The pictured 200ER is the short one. The 300ER is ten feet longer than a 747, and the new 777-9 will be ten feet longer than the 300ER.
IIRC, the last are not complete yet. President Trump implemented a fixed price contract for 2 new 747 Air Force Ones.
Flew one in 1970, Birmingham to Chicago and Back. Upstairs was a guy playing a grand piano.
Actually they were not “new”... they had been completed but immediately went into storage by the leasing company that owned them. The contract was to retrieve them from “mothballs” and convert them for Presidential use.
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