Is Boeing going to retire the 747?

SEATTLE, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Boeing (BA. N) bid farewell to the iconic 747, delivering the final plane to Atlas Air on Tuesday afternoon and marking an end of an era when the first-ever jumbo jet ruled the skies.



Boeing has already retired the 747 from production, with the final aircraft (a 747-8 Freighter) delivered to Atlas Air in January 2023. This marked the end of a legendary 54-year production run. While no new 747s are being built, the aircraft will not disappear from the skies for many years. In 2026, most of the remaining 747s in service are freighters, as the "Queen of the Skies" remains one of the most capable cargo aircraft in the world due to its nose-loading capability and massive volume. For passenger travel, the 747 has been largely retired by major airlines like British Airways, United, and Qantas in favor of more fuel-efficient twin-engine jets like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. However, a few airlines—most notably Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Air China—continue to fly the newest 747-8i passenger version on select long-haul routes. Additionally, the U.S. government is currently readying two highly modified 747-8s to serve as the next Air Force One (VC-25B), ensuring the 747 silhouette will remain a symbol of global aviation through the 2030s and potentially the 2040s.

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The planes are due for delivery in 2024 as part of a $3.9 billion contract. Boeing's 777X, its latest passenger plane model and projected replacement for the 747, is set for delivery in 2025.

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Will the Boeing 747 have a future? The final one, delivered to cargo operator Atlas Air in early 2023, marked the end of the 747's production history, though the variant still has a future in the spotlight: two 747-8s are currently being transformed into the next Air Force One planes.

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Built in 1967 to produce the mammoth jet, it remains the world's largest manufacturing plant according to Boeing. But after five decades, customer demand for the 747 eroded as Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA) developed more fuel efficient two-engine widebody planes.

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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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According to Boeing's data, the 777-9 has a total length of 251 feet 9 inches (76.72 meters). The 747-8 is just a bit smaller at 250 feet 2 inches (76.3 meters). The 777-9 is the longest commercial aircraft ever built.

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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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Airbus A380 The Airbus A380 widebody airliner is the world's first and only aircraft with two full decks. The world's largest passenger carrier is powered by four extremely powerful Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofans, each producing a thrust of 332.44–356.81 kN (74,740–80,210 lbf).

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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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With its impressive size and graceful appearance, the 747, known as the “Queen of the Skies,” has been one of the most recognizable and versatile aircraft since its first flight in 1969.

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Because of aerodynamics, the cockpit level had to rise and slope back down to the main fuselage, giving us the iconic hump.

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Joseph Lau: Boeing 747-8 VIP, $367 million. Sultan of Brunei: Boeing 747-430, $230 million. Roman Abramovich: Boeing 757, $170 million. Kim Kardashian: Gulfstream G650ER, $150 million.

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The top speed of the Boeing 747 itself is about 570 mph, and this flight maxed out at 825 mph. The difference between “ground speed” (zero bonus) and “air speed” (200+ mph bonus) is also why this speed, while technically faster than the speed of sound, didn't ever go supersonic.

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Commercial Pilot Licensing for Boeing 747 Pilots To gain a license to fly the Boeing 747, pilots must first obtain their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. To do this, pilots must meet certain educational requirements, such as having a college degree, or having a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time.

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The most common reason is that there are no airstrips or airports on many of the small islands, so if a plane had to make an emergency landing, it would be difficult to find a place to land. Additionally, the Pacific Ocean is vast and remote, so if a plane were to go down, it would be very difficult to find.

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The A380 is the largest passenger jet ever built by passenger capacity, volume, weight, and wingspan. The Boeing 747-8 beats it for length, however, as will the upcoming Boeing 777-9 (technically built but not yet in service).

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According to data from ch-aviation.com, the oldest active Boeing 747 family aircraft left in the world today is a 747-100SF that flies for the Iranian Air Force. Bearing registration 5-8103, this veteran quadjet is 52.86 years old and flew for TWA from 1970 to 1975 before being converted for usage as a freighter.

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Eroding demand from customers led to the demise of jumbo jets. According to the Reuters report, Boeing delivered five 747s in 2022, while in 1990, the peak delivery year of the best-selling 747-400 version, Boeing delivered 70 747s.

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The Boeing 747 is a four-engine wide-body jet airliner that has been in service since 1970. It is one of the most recognizable and iconic aircraft in the world, and has earned the nickname “Queen of the Skies”. The Boeing 747 can fly on one engine only, but it is not recommended or desirable to do so.

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