The difficulty of flying a 747 depends on a number of factors, including the pilot's experience, the type of 747 being flown, and the specific circumstances of the flight. The 747 is considered to be a relatively easy aircraft to fly.

Paradoxically, most pilots describe the Boeing 747 as one of the most "forgiving" and stable aircraft to fly, despite its massive size and weight (often exceeding 800,000 lbs at takeoff). Unlike modern "fly-by-wire" Airbus jets, the 747 (up to the -400 model) uses a traditional hydraulic-mechanical system that provides the pilot with "honest" tactile feedback. It is often described as "nimble" once in the air, though its sheer mass means that every maneuver must be planned further in advance than in a smaller jet. The most challenging aspect in 2026 for the remaining 747-8 cargo pilots is the "landing picture"; because the cockpit is on the second deck, the pilot is sitting nearly 30 feet above the runway during touchdown, which requires a specialized visual perspective to flare correctly. While the aircraft is "easy" to handle in stable conditions, managing four engines and complex legacy systems during an emergency requires a high level of proficiency, making 747 certification a prestigious milestone in a pilot's career.