As the following chart shows, Lufthansa is the largest passenger airline operating 747s with 27 in service. Demand for the 747 is still high among cargo airliners and according to website planespotters.net, Atlas Air has the largest 747 fleet with 52 on its books (both in service and in storage).

Throughout the history of the "Queen of the Skies," Japan Airlines (JAL) held the record for the largest fleet of Boeing 747s, operating a staggering 113 aircraft over several decades. They used specialized "Domestic" versions of the 747 to move massive numbers of passengers between Japanese cities. British Airways was the other major titan of the 747, particularly the 747-400 model, maintaining a fleet of 57 at its peak and remaining the largest operator of that specific variant until its retirement in 2020. Lufthansa is another honorable mention, as they were the launch customer for the final 747-8i and continue to fly them in 2026, making them one of the last places to experience the 747 in passenger service. Other significant historical operators included United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. In 2026, while the passenger 747 is rare, cargo giants like Atlas Air and UPS still operate large fleets of the 747-8F, ensuring the hump-backed silhouette remains a fixture in the skies.