The 747's design included a second deck extending from the cockpit back over the first third of the plane, giving it a distinctive hump that made the plane instantly recognizable and inspired a nickname, the Whale. More elegantly, the 747 became known as the Queen of the Skies.

The Boeing 747-8, the final and largest variant of the 747 family, is most famously known by the nickname "Queen of the Skies," a title it shares with its predecessors. However, specifically for the -8 model, Boeing also used the marketing name "Intercontinental" to emphasize its increased range and updated technology. Aviation enthusiasts and pilots often refer to it as the "Dash 8" (not to be confused with the Bombardier turboprop) or simply the "Jumbo." The 747-8 features distinctive scalloped engine nacelles and a longer fuselage than the iconic 747-400, making it the longest commercial aircraft in the world at the time of its debut. Despite being a marvel of engineering, the 747-8 Intercontinental arrived at a time when the industry was shifting toward twin-engine efficiency, leading to a limited production run. Its freighter version, the 747-8F, is nicknamed the "King of Cargo" due to its incredible payload capacity and unique nose-loading door. As the last 747 ever built rolled off the line in early 2023, the 747-8 remains the ultimate and final evolution of the most recognizable silhouette in the history of civil aviation.