What was unique about the b747?

The Boeing 747 revolutionized air travel when it debuted as the world's largest passenger jet in 1969. The first-of-its-kind shape and design of the plane allowed airlines to get creative, offering luxurious amenities such as onboard bars, restaurants, and lounges.



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From the 1970s through the '90s though, the 747 opened up the world to millions who had never before traveled internationally. Its range allowed airlines to fly nonstop between major cities never before connected. Its size produced economies of scale so they could fill seats at the back with cheaper fares.

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The 747 fleet has logged more than 42 billion nautical miles (77.8 billion kilometers), equivalent to 101,500 trips from the Earth to the moon and back. The 747 fleet has flown more than 5.6 billion people — the equivalent of 80 percent of the world's population*.

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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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The Boeing 747 is becoming increasingly rare at airports around the world – at least in the passenger version. More and more airlines are retiring the queen of the skies. The coronavirus pandemic in particular has radically accelerated this process in some cases.

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Sure, the 747 is a Type Certified and airworthy aircraft, the FAA does not really care who owns it so long as they play by the rules. Boeing even sells them directly to the private market via their BBJ line.

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The 747 went into service in the early 1970s, at a time of major societal change. It drove exponential growth in air travel, tourism, and connections between people around the world. In its first year, a fully-loaded 747 cut the cost of flying a passenger by half. Flying became instantly more accessible.

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Airplane.

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Fortunately, the first Boeing 747 still stands tall today in a place where you can see it in all its beauty.

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The 747 has also had an incredible safety record despite being involved in disasters such as the Tenerife incident in the Canary Islands when two 747s collided on the runway, and a Japan Airlines 747 that suffered explosive decompression in mid-flight, the two worst incidents in commercial aviation history that each ...

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Most of them end up in what's called boneyards. It's like a giant car park in the middle of woop woop where they are all lined up and stored, waiting either to be sold or broken up for parts. Boneyards such as Victorville in California has five hundred spots for old planes.

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