Is 747 Extinct?

An era of aviation history has come to an end after 54 years. On Tuesday, the last 747 Jumbo Jet rolled off the production line at Boeing's Everett, Washington, facility. Built for Atlas Air, the 747-8 freighter is the last of 1,574 of the aircraft that earned the nickname Queen of the Skies.



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Including passenger-to-freight conversions, 166 747-400Fs remain active in the skies, again with major cargo operators including Kalitta Air, Air Atlanta Europe, and Atlas Air – which also operates the XXL Boeing 747-400(LCF) Dreamlifter.

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No more 747s are being made, but Boeing notes that they're still taking flight. The 1970s version even inspired one man to build a ground-based replica. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come, Boeing's Smith said. Copyright 2023 NPR.

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Most airlines had retired their 747 fleets in favor of a new generation of long-haul aircraft, which carry fewer people than the 450-passenger giant, and, with just two engines versus the 747's four, burn less fuel.

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But the air travel industry is moving away from bulky double-decker planes. Boeing stopped manufacturing 747s earlier this year, rolling out the last of the jumbo jets from its assembly line on February 1, 2023. So now more than ever, flying in the upper deck of a 747 is on many travelers' dream itineraries.

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Lufthansa is not the only airline that still flies passengers on the 747-400, but it is by far the dominant one. There are three other airlines that operate passenger flights with the 747-400: Asiana, Air China and Mahan Air of Iran. Each of them has just one active 747-400 in their fleet.

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The oldest active 747 aircraft today The oldest passenger aircraft in commercial operation is Boeing 747-400 EP-MEE (SN 24383) operated by Mahan Air, a privately owned Iranian airline. IBA Insight Flights shows that this aircraft frequently makes trips between Tehran and Moscow, and last flew on 30th January 2023.

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A total of 251 Airbus A380s were built and delivered for civil aviation. How many A380s are still flying? As of May 2023, about 130 A380s are in service - but several airlines plan to reactivate more aircraft during the year.

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The Airbus A380 beats the Boeing 747 in passenger capacity, with the ability to accommodate 250 more passengers in a full economy configuration. The A380 offers more interior space, allowing for the inclusion of bars, showers, lounges, and private suites, making it a popular choice for luxurious first-class offerings.

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In a ceremony that was broadcast live online, the aircraft was handed over to its new owner, US air cargo operator Atlas Air, at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington.

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Hundreds of millions brand new? According to Boeing's current list prices, a brand new 747-8 would be worth $418.4 million, while its freighter sister is listed slightly higher at $419.2 million.

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Since its introduction, the A380 has established a strong safety record and is regarded as one of the safest aircraft in the world. The aircraft has been involved in only two significant incidents since its introduction – a 2011 crash in France and a 2016 tyre burst incident in Australia.

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For one, the Airbus A380 has almost double the space onboard compared to the Boeing 777 series, thanks to its second level. This means the airline can afford to be a little more abundant with its first class and business class offerings onboard the A380 compared to the Triple Seven.

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