What Happened To The Boeing 747?

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Boeing’s 747 is one the most recognizable planes to take to the skies with its iconic hump, four engines, extensive landing gear and sheer size. Since its first commercial flight in 1970, Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet has flown more than 3.5 billion passengers. But over the last few decades, airlines have looked for more ways to cut costs and to make airplanes more efficient. Two engine jets can now fly near the same capacity and further than older four engine planes like Boeing’s 747 and the Airbus A380. CNBC visited Boeing's Everett, Washington factory to see the last 747 roll off the production line. It will go to Atlas Air for cargo deliveries.

CNBC takes a look at how the 747 changed aviation and what’s next for Boeing.

Chapters:
2:50 - Development
7:11 - Commercial Service
11:09 - Evolution
13:14 - Decline
16:20 - End of Production
18:33 - The Future

Credits:
Produced by: Erin Black
Additional Camera: Andrew Evers, Katie Tarasov
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Editorial Support: Leslie Josephs
Graphics by: Midnight Snacks, Christina Locopo

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What Happened To The Boeing 747?

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3 Jan 2023

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Comentários 1 754

74 Gear 2 meses atrás

Even though most people have seen a 747, people will still take pictures as we taxi into a lot of airports around the world... I doubt many pilots have that same experience! She's iconic.

Montanan AvGeek 11 dias atrás

@jonathan moore it is my dream to see a 747

Montanan AvGeek 11 dias atrás

@jonathan moore actually, we’re in the same boat

jonathan moore 11 dias atrás

Unfortunately I am the only person to love planes and haven’t ever seen the queen of the skies. But I am hoping that one day I will get to see one

Montanan AvGeek 14 dias atrás

Oh hey Kelsey.

Justa Youtuber Mês atrás

Yeah, especially when its that oversized Dreamliner you fly

Pellervo Kaskinen 2 meses atrás

My most memorable 747 flight was from Montreal to Amsterdam. There was a bad thunderstorm in Montreal and we were one hour late on our departure. The flight attendants were adamant that we would not put anything other than just overcoats or other soft items in the overhead storage. People were unhappy about all the luggage that had to go under the seats, occupying all the accustomed foot space. But what else could we do. Like said, the crew was adamant. So, we took off and my seat was far back, where the plane started getting narrow. In fact, I had a straight view along the right isle all the way to the very front. And then it happened, we flew right through the remainder of the storm. Looking at the isle, I saw what felt like 15 degree twist left and right. Probably it was less -- I said it felt like that much. Anyway, about half of the overhead storage doors popped open and the coats dropped down. I think not many passengers were unhappy any more that there were no hard pieces of luggage up there. Well, the frightening experience lasted some 5 or 10 minutes. And the rest of the flight was smooth. But I keep my memory of the big 747 twisting that way.

Kevin 747 2 meses atrás

I retired in 2016. I flew several iterations of the 747 twenty two years. I loved every minute of it.

Cameron C. 12 dias atrás

I can barely drive a car, let alone a plane! Lol Much respect for you and the services you provided! :)

Joxar Mês atrás

@Spezi_Korn 747 is better, just saying

Kevin 747 2 meses atrás

@Spezi_Korn No.

Spezi_Korn 2 meses atrás

did you fly the A380 too?

Dominic Uliano 2 meses atrás

My first trip on an airplane was in 1979. I flew out to LAX from JFK with my grandma and the flight out to LAX was a 747. I remember looking out the window at the gate in awe of that jet. I also remember walking past the spiral stair case on my way to the coach section of the plane. I got to fly on the 747 quite a few times as an adult but I will never forget the first time I got to fly on that plane.

Von Weeks 2 meses atrás

I flew 747s several times when living in Hawaii and flying to the East Coast. Take offs were smooth and powerful - impossible to lift my head from rest until it had climbed in altitude. Landings were smooth. Their were bars throughout the plane where (and when) passengers could stand and chat with others. Unlike today's flights, seats were comfortable and plenty of legroom. Food was delicious and free! First Class was "upstairs". I miss the glory of 747s...nothing like it since.

Nhjhbvfggfvcf Mês atrás

@Von Weeks Dayum

Von Weeks Mês atrás

@Nhjhbvfggfvcf it was regular fare and didn't cost any more than other airlines.

Nhjhbvfggfvcf Mês atrás

I wish I could have flown it. But it probably would have costed so much and I didn’t know about it at the time

Jon Linn 2 meses atrás

In 1975 I flew in a 747 from San Francisco to Oahu. Nothing compared to it. It was like a huge butterfly in the sky. Unfortunately for United Airlines it was less then half full. Talking with a stewardess the flight only made money because of the added cargo it was able to carry. The 747 consumed 500 gallons of fuel per hour according to the stewardess. When it touched down I could see but not feel it landing. Smooth is the best word to describe the jet on take-off, flight, and landing.

Mike Zerker 2 meses atrás

I wouldn't call this a "rise and fall" ... the Queen of the Skies reigned for over 60 years, that's an impressive amount of time with hundreds built! So it is quite the success story!

largol33t1 11 dias atrás

Well, it was also widely known for its massive fuel consumption so twin engine planes retook the skies from the 747 over the last decade or so. On my last flight, which was 6 months ago, I noticed an airport I landed at had not a single 747 passenger plane but I did see an A380, LOL... And yes, the A380's size is shocking when your plane passes by it less than 20 feet away...

Degrim Ripa 25 dias atrás

@Fight to Fly Photography Yeah i actually saw it in DFW during my night shift. I didn’t expect it to be there. We had the second last 747 built come in but that’s because of the Nagel Contract

aerohk Mês atrás

Thousands, not hundreds. None of Boeing planes sold less than thousands except 717, which was inherited from a failed company, McDonald's Douglas.

Itzfaroff Mês atrás

Not over 60 over 50

Masud Saleh Mês atrás

@Justa BRvidr Even your breath will stop one day

John Yves 2 meses atrás

Yup, I was a 74 captain for 25 years, all models. I can’t help but think almost each day how lucky I have been to fly all around the world with the Queen of the Skies. She was elegant, sturdy, safe and fast and oh boy, she could deliver an inner sense of pride and accomplishment !

Nazri Buang 18 dias atrás

Lies again? FNB Money Bus Driver

Degrim Ripa 25 dias atrás

She ain’t done yet.

Pragnesh Patel 2 meses atrás

I was 3 and half when my family and I immigrated from India to the USA, it was on a 747. I remember it being big. This was in 1974. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Stupid Flanders 2 meses atrás

I’m not really an aviation geek but can appreciate the 747 for its distinctive design. I also happened to have gotten randomly assigned a license plate that ends in “00747,” and I took the chance to take a picture of my car (license in view) with the 747 prototype (at the Museum of Flight in Seattle) in the background. I get giddy looking at that picture.

Cheers2thewinners 2 meses atrás

You should become an aviation geek

James Barca 2 meses atrás

The rise and fall? She may have finally gone out of production, but the Queen never fell. She had but one actual competitor (the A380) and watched her come and go. The A380s will be long retired when the last 747 makes its final flight decades from now. Even then she will live on as one of the legendary aircraft of all times. Long live the Queen.

G-BOAC 2 meses atrás

747-8 didn't sell, that's the fall

C D 2 meses atrás

Correct!

Ask to seduce Miss 2 meses atrás

The 747 is an icon. The queen of the skies. She’ll always have a special place in our hearts as plane enthusiasts. The 747 blazed a path for the next generation of wide-body

Steval204 2 meses atrás

My uncle was the facility maintence supervisor for northwest airlines at one time. He took me into the hanger in Duluth, MN, and they had been restoring two 747’s. They had the glass cockpit installed but the fuselage was an empty shell. Got to sit in the pilots seat and fondle anything I wanted in that plane. It was incredible. Uncle threw me up inside one of the engines and we took a picture together inside the jet engine. Still have it framed 30 years later.

Chetan Amberkar Mês atrás

Get that photo on the internet, the world wants to know it.

Nigel Williams 2 meses atrás

Cool story. Thanks for sharing!

greasesicle 2 meses atrás

They found flattened beer cans, stashed booze bottles and drug paraphernalia in those planes. The Everett Boeing workers were drunks and stoners.

George Andrews 2 meses atrás

@Michael Vaughan it's what a gentleman would do as opposed to groping.

Rj Gonzalez 2 meses atrás

Aw, an icon finally takes a bow and goes down to into history. Legandary as she is, she will never be forgotten, her shape, her size and her service through billion of passengers that she carried all this years. Thank you.

No Suffix 2 meses atrás

As someone born in the 1970s, the Boeing 747-400 represented the apex of all the airplanes that I know of. The model name comes naturally with an impression of importance, grandeur, and safety. Somehow I felt more relaxed if I was in a 747-400. Kind sentimental to see it’s becoming part of the passing history too.

HL Sut 2 meses atrás

When I was a kid in the early 80s, my dad who worked for the DOD took me to see the Space shuttle Columbia while it was mounted on top of a 747. It was parked on a tarmac away from the passenger jets outside of the Lambert airport in St. Louis, where fighter jets were parked and maintained, etc. With his DOD badge, we sped by the military guard and drove right up to the 747. As we got of our '78 Mercury, I remember how excited my dad and I were to see the space shuttle in person, but as I began to walk underneath the 747 I became more interested in the plane. I was amazed by how huge this plane was. The landing gear was massive, with tires taller than me and engines that looked as big as a car. Forty plus years later I still remember this like it was yesterday. What an era and experience to remember. No way this would be possible in today's time. Going to miss seeing this beautiful work of flying art... Thanks for the memories, Dad! Miss ya! RIP

CLM265 2 meses atrás

I saw the very 1st 747 flight and still remember it for it being so big. Forward 10 years and I was an engineer for the 747. It was interesting to look through all the different studies that had been done on how to vary it’s design for different uses.

matt morford 2 meses atrás

It's an aircraft you have to see in person to fully understand just how massive and beautiful it is. Sad to hear this news of no more production.

largol33t1 11 dias atrás

Planes come and go. Technology keeps changing. More and more airlines are moving towards twin engine planes. Even Airbus had this problem with the gorgeous A340. I was glad to fly one of those before the A330 rendered it obsolete overnight. Soon airlines were canceling their orders and asking Airbus to make more A330s as well as the A300NEO. According to some aviation business analysts, the A300NEO may have been the catalyst that led to the LionAir tragedy. Boeing was in panic mode when the NEO got its first customer so they rushed out a modified 737 with much larger engines and called it the 737MAX. They didn't bother telling the customers that the plane had a deadly flaw in its software called MCAS. This was blamed on not one but TWO crashes that tragically killed all aboard and led to a massive investigation which led to Boeing's reputation being permanently stained. It was so controversial that the suffix MAX isn't even used on new Boeing planes any more because hearing it angers people so much. Just tragic. I still cannot believe how many lives were lost because of one tiny flaw in the software...

Bob DelPrincipe 2 meses atrás

I have flown over 3 million miles on a 747 going back to the early 80's. Mainly the USA and Asia, Europe, Australia. The irony is that my first job out of college was working in the 747 factory in Everett 2 years before my first 747 flight. I've flown on almost every version including a combi and an SP. I've flown in every class including the upper deck which was my favorite. Thank you Boeing 747,

wyganter 2 meses atrás

@Frikkie Varkpiel Uhh, what if the OP was a flight attendant?

Frikkie Varkpiel 2 meses atrás

I call BS. If you flew on a 747 every day for 5 years straight, you'd have to fly 1644 miles per day. That alone will take up about 3 hrs to get to airport and check in, the flight will be about 4 hours and then another hour to disembark and get to your hotel. So what work did you do that you did when you were traveling and flying 8 hours a day......7 days a week. Even if you flew every day for the whole of the 80's, that would be 822miles per day..........every day for 10 years.

Don Callangher 2 meses atrás

@Vegaslocal Envy. 3 million miles, I’m jealous too in a good way. Flown just over a mill for work myself, miss doing it. Props to you.

Bob DelPrincipe 2 meses atrás

@margo stewart Why? You have a problem with the truth?

Roy Pacarat 2 meses atrás

To an ordinary flier, I am proud to say that I flown once from Manila to Davao via Philippine Airlines in 2012. And the experienced was superb, I haven't feel any turbulence during the entire flight. It was fantastic! The sad thing, when I came back to Manila - the Davao to Manila flight operated by A321 aircraft. But I was grateful to experienced it.

DraftedByTheMan Mês atrás

It was probably in 2012 that I also flew Manila to Davao. Funny thing was I just walked into the ticket office at NAIA and asked what flights would cost to various places. They had a Manila/Davao flight for 1000p leaving in 2 hours so I booked it. Much to my surprise, it was a 747 (I was accustomed to much smaller planes when flying domestic in the Philippines). To my greater surprise, I was seated in the top level business section. I think the flight was only 90 minutes and that was the worst part of the experience…we had to land…I wished I could have spent many more hours in that seat.

ian lewis 2 meses atrás

I remember seeing a 747 for the first time at Heathrow airport London , I was flying Pan am to Hong Kong , the first thing to appear was the rear tail fin behind a building like a shark fin in the sea , then the nose appeared ..it was magnificent just amazing, my first thought after being seated was how it would get off the ground , I looked around and thought you could play football inside here..such a smooth plane... A 747 was just a special plane .

Frank Velik 2 meses atrás

indeed

Roy Stapleton 2 meses atrás

I was at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) the day the first 747 arrived. Awesome. I later worked for Singapore Airlines (SQ) for 8 years at LHR and my heart was always pumping when I saw our SQ 747 take off. Bootiful aircraft and the real Queen of the Skys.

pindiwal 2 meses atrás

My father was a Flight Engineer for the 747 for 36 years. There's a small bunk bed in there for staff to sleep in for long hauls. I've sat in the cockpit over a few dozen times during take offs and landings.

Scott Fineshriber 2 meses atrás

I remember the introduction of the 747. I first flew on one in about 1973. It had a piano bar upstairs. I was 14. I kept saying to my parents as we went down the runway “It will never get off the ground.” It was unbelievably huge compared to everything else at the airport. It was an unforgettable experience.

Mark Holtdorf 2 meses atrás

I used to work for a company that had access to 747 cargo planes. We all would take coffee breaks in the cockpit as possible. The 747 is magic. Even more interesting is one of my friends dad was one of the first batch of 747 captains. Also the 747s crews were the best of the best.

Justin G 2 meses atrás

Airbus is lame

Tief Blau 2 meses atrás

@M M Yea I hope Boeing dont do that again... Cheaping out....

M M 2 meses atrás

@Tief Blau Honestly I dont care who built it as long as they were qualified engineers with that had the goal of creating a safe airworthy vehicle. 747 most likely majority excellent men 👍 That's the time when engineering was the focus. UInlike the Boeing MAX planes those were not airworthy and they used software to cope with the fact that the planes aero dynamic design wasn't naturally designed to be airworthy without it. Now it's the time when profits takes the focus. 👎

Aditya Benwal 2 meses atrás

My first flight from Delhi to Mumbai back in 2012 was in in an Air India 747. At that time I didnt knew what the aircraft was, but now I know and I feel proud and happy to have flown in the Queen of the Skies.

Daniel Jose 2 meses atrás

My first flight in a 747 was also with air India, probably in 96 or 97. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of the aircraft.

JkardeZ 25 dias atrás

I was a kid when this aircraft was introduced and was lucky to see it take off and land throughout the day when the pilots did actual manual training before sim was available . Never got tired of it. I've seen it up close while it was parking and it was like a giant bearing down . In the air at more than 30k feet going to London it was smooth as silk and touchdown was a caress. It is more like an emperor with the sky its realm. Certainly wrong to term it a fall; more like a gradual phase out . Long live !

John Weber 2 meses atrás

I grew up living near the MSP airport in MN. I remember looking up every time a jet flew over in the early 70's to check whether the plane had the distinctive hump of a 747.

Nigel Bond 2 meses atrás

The 747 is one of those rare aircraft designs that’s as beautiful close up as it is in the skies. A truly remarkable and iconic plane, loved by many. Boeing’s lamentable recent history shows that their golden era is definitely behind them.

Daniel Gaddis 2 meses atrás

I learned an interesting fact about the 747 that many people may not know. Between the body and number two engine there's a mounting bracket for a fifth engine. To use to deliver an engine that maybe needed for another plane.

Triton 2 meses atrás

I have flown on the 747 numerous times. When I was active duty military, the charter airlines would sometimes deploy these for overseas flights from the US. I felt like I was riding a ship in the sky. My best experience was on an Air France 747-400 from Atlanta to Paris. Besides the awesome service, the aircraft felt like butter in the air. It is such a beautiful aircraft!!! I've worked on National and Atlas cargo 747s for years. Highly efficient jets. Definitely gonna miss flying them.

dede4004 2 meses atrás

@Triton Wonderful story about your experience with flying. And, the "McDonalds person"?......there's a BUNCH of these nimno people here on YT who do this on every channel. It's frustrating as HECK. I believe they're paid to be nasty, divisive shills. What wretched things. Omg. I've seen too many of them on yt.

Igi Sanchez 2 meses atrás

@Triton Nice try McDonald's cashier. Work harder and you'll be promoted to flipping burgers instead of shilling for Boeing.

Triton 2 meses atrás

@Igi Sanchez also, nobody ever said this didn't have anything to do with Boeing. What was said or implied was that this video was about the 747. The 737MAX is irrelevant to the video. But you found the avenue to spout your misery, so here we are. Also, can you please come up with a better cover story for yourself rather than using the McDonald's cashier story?? I don't even like McDonald's! Make me a BK cashier at least. If you're gonna make up stories, make them good stories!

Triton 2 meses atrás

@Igi Sanchez I thought you expired. Like seriously, why are you still here?

Igi Sanchez 2 meses atrás

@Triton straight out of Boeing's how-to-cover-up playbook. The McDonald's cashier is in desperate need of Boeing's shill money. This has everything to do with Boeing.

PLBWiki 2 meses atrás

it is and always has been a beautiful and graceful machine. A work of art. So sad to see it go. My first flight on a 747 was in April 1970 aboard Pan Am Clipper Flying Cloud

Eitan Rieger.design 2 meses atrás

In 2017 I flew from Germany to the US on a 747, which then I found out later, was one of it's last flight. The 474 was also the first one I ever flew. There is something different about its shape and it's size. It's not just an aircraft. It's an era. I hope I get the chance to fly it again

Curt Bowers 2 meses atrás

I worked on UALs 747-100,SP, 200 and mostly the 400. The best experience was flying in first class in 1A or 2A. As you sped down the runway the windows were angled inside to the nose of the Airplane. You had a somewhat forward view of the speed and takeoff. I’m a private pilot and I’ll tell you that’s the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on! And the 2nd most amazing experience, I was the flight Mechanic flying charters to Kuwait during the Iraq war. Sitting behind the pilots they pointed out the Northern lights above Canada on the way to Germany, I felt like I could reach out and touch them. And that same trip From Frankfurt to Kuwait we flew over the Pyramids in Egypt, a full moon and some broken clouds allowed us to see them lit up over the desert. Fantastic! And the last experience was sitting behind the Captain as we landed in Frankfurt, to be in the upper deck during the flare and landing I’ll never forget it. So glad to hear everyone’s experience’s, it will always be the Queen to us!

Krane 2 meses atrás

I remember reading about the development of the 747 along with the SST in Popular Science way back when I was in elementary school. That was when many commercial jets still produced a long stream of black smoke from the engines. I remember 3 planes I would identify that were my favorites: McDonnell Douglas DC-10, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, and the venerable Boeing 747 The idea of a plane that size actually getting off the ground seemed so surreal at first. As a kid that love innovation, I couldn't wait for the supersonic plans to arrive next. I was so sadden when they dropped the development of the SST. Fortunately, France and Britain continued with their program, and I did get to see the Concorde twice before it too was retired. Due to that familiar "hump" and the fact that it's used by the POTUS, the 747 is probably the most recognized air plane in history. Its been seen in more movies and TV shows and commercials than any other plane. As a kid it gave me goosebumps whenever I'd see it roll so effortlessly off the runway. Seeing it now, it still does.

murdelabop 2 meses atrás

One of my first airline flights was as a child with my mother. My mother had a terrible problem with motion sickness. While my long suffering mother got cleaned up from an episode, one of the FAs took me on a tour of the airplane, including the lower galley. I was amazed then, and I continue to be amazed by the Queen Of The Skies.

Andrew Macdonald 2 meses atrás

Magical aircraft. My late dad flew her with German Cargo on his last assignment and was in his element in the cockpit. I can still vividly remember him taking me to Chicago on a 74. All the way across the Atlantic. Just me, dad and his two fellow crewmen...imagine that...

Amarjeet Paul 2 meses atrás

Om Shanti!

Rafael Castro 2 meses atrás

🧢

Dimma 2 meses atrás

What an experience 😊

adolf stalin 2 meses atrás

@darkclown443 Kellen443 if you learnt how to read then you would clearly know that it was a cargo flight

Pendyala Akshay 2 meses atrás

@darkclown443 Kellen443 well he clearly mentioned they were carrying cargo to Germany.

joeraptor1 2 meses atrás

Definitely a pioneer not only in aviation but also in the way it changed our lives. The 747 was able to take us to places around the world that we only could have dreamed of a century ago. It also helped to develop a global economy with its ability to carry large amounts of cargo. Whenever you set foot in a 747, it inspired confidence in your flight. It's definitely the end of an era with its retirement but hopefully the lessons it taught us will inspire us to greater an ever greater successor.

Dr. Love 1987 2 meses atrás

I’m always amazed the size of the 74, I always take a moment to watch it takeoff and land.

HWC Transgender ministries 2 meses atrás

The 747 will always be a legend! I hope it makes a comeback someday!

Kascha K 2 meses atrás

Such a beauty. My favorite of all time is still the L-1011 but I will always remember my trips out of JFK with my mom as a kid on TWA 747s. Magical experiences.

Ubon Rat 2 meses atrás

My first international flight was in 1992 on a Qantas 747 bound for LA. I was upgraded to business class and sat up in the hump, it opened up the world to me

William Jones 2 meses atrás

I went to Germany from Minneapolis on a 747. I specifically remember taking off and watching the plane's wing starting to lift as we were taxing down the runway an thinking Ok, at any moment the rest of the plane should follow suit. It quickly did. It was the best quality flight the entire way.

Chris Anderson 2 meses atrás

Wonderful memory! I used to fly out of Minneapolis to Tokyo and back on the 747 every summer as a child. Sometimes in both the lower and upper deck First Class thanks to a family friend who worked at NWA at the time. Fabulous experience and memories. The most memorable probably being flying right through a typhoon out to Tokyo and being in the lower first class, right at the nose. I certainly miss seeing the regular NWA/Delta 747's at MSP, but we still get regular UPS 747 freighters coming in :-)

Pavan Bhangoo 2 meses atrás

My first ever trip on a 747 was on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Chicago - the first time coming to this country. It was already such a surreal experience having to move countries, but to then fly and take the journey on the queen of the skies - it was a magical experience. Unforgettable. I hope I can go on another one again, or at least the a380.

Andy Roo 2 meses atrás

My first flight to Paris was on a 747. It was so huge and comfortable. I consider myself a little bit fortunate to have experienced it, even if it was coach fare.

ralph zoombeenie 2 meses atrás

I saw the first B747 arrival at LHR as I was departing as a pax on a B707 to SIN. Never thought years later I would log 5K hours in command of the B747-400, both passenger and freight. It handled like a dream and the without effort touchdowns were almost undetectable. Those 4 engines gave a feeling of security mid Pacific unmatched by many previous wide body twins.

Walter Richards 2 meses atrás

I watched one of the first 747's to fly into Tampa International airport once. I was on the top of the parking garage and saw the behemoth taxi to the southern end of the runway, line up and begin to roll. I thought that thing would need the entire 11,000 foot runway to get it's bulk into the air. I was astounded when the nose lifted BEFORE the plane reached the terminal and the whole airplane was airborn as it passed by where I was watching. To this day I can hardly believe that if that thing can be so graceful why can't I fly also. There are planes flying today with the capacity and more of the Boeing 747 but there is nothing that comes close to the beauty and grace of a 747 in the air!

Joseph Blogs 2 meses atrás

747 SP ( shortened version ) were amazing. So nimble and manoeuvrable. Power to weight ratio was extreme. That was my experience as a passenger.

Michael Brewer 2 meses atrás

In '73 I flew United from JFK to SFO, I made reservations on the flight just because it was scheduled to go as a 747. It was a repositioning flight for the airplane, there weren't more than 30 passengers on board. The flight crew was so accommodating, I got to tour the entire aircraft during our flight. It was a grand experience of one grand aircraft.

Predrag Djuric 2 meses atrás

I do envy you Sir.

jpdemer5 2 meses atrás

I had the same experience, in the opposite direction: SFO ->JFK, a TWA red-eye flight with more crew than passengers. We all gathered at the bar and had a great time - I'm sure the attendants, who were delighted to have no workload to speak of, broke more than a few rules on that flight. They enjoyed an enviable lifestyle (from my 23-year-old point of view) in the mid-'70s.

Bobby Boyd 2 meses atrás

I remember seeing one of these taking off from Logan Airport and being absolutely amazed with how big it looked in the sky. That was when they first came out and I was about 13 years old.

Wally Norlander 2 meses atrás

I'm so glad that I had the opportunities to fly on the 747---always a smooth and comfortable experience.

Richard Acevedo 2 meses atrás

When I graduated as an engineer in 1996, my first job was with Boeing. My first flight on the 747 was from London to Los Angeles at the hump. What a beauty. At the time, British Airways still preserved a high level of service, which made the experience delightful.

Richard Acevedo 2 meses atrás

@Dave Above all, it has always been a symbol of American inventiveness and business savviness. As to the service, my experience was good, but I am sure you experienced it at its apex.

Dave 2 meses atrás

My first flight on a 47 was in 1970 with Japan Air lines from San Francisco to Tokyo. The attention to detail back then was unimaginable in todays world. I felt like royalty. Now I would rather take the Greyhound than an airplane. LOL I spent over 50 years in the aviation industry, and the aircraft I loved to fly in most were the DC-3, The 707. and the 747. Three of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history.

Sam Hecker 2 meses atrás

It’s my favorite plane. I remember my first flight on a Northwest 747. Always loved this plane as a kid and when I have the chance to fly it, I feel like a kid again

David Thomas 2 meses atrás

I remember when this plane came out when I was a kid. It STILL is the most beautiful plane out there. I was glad I got to fly on one by accident because another flight got cancelled.

th82 M 2 meses atrás

by luck

Rick Regina 2 meses atrás

I remember as a child flying on 747s during family vacations. The comfy seats and real soft landings. Definitely a far cry from today's airline experiences.

146agi122 2 meses atrás

Having worked for an international airline in marketing and sales, I had the pleasure of flying our fleet of Boeing747 for almost a decade (80's) in their business class which was on the same upper deck as the cockpit. The plane was a delight to be a passenger with wide leather bound seats, especially on long range flights 14-16 hours. The staircase to the upper deck was especially grand as in a cruise ship. I still miss the wonderful flights on those magnificent aircrafts.

Winston Schwarz 2 meses atrás

Very concise history of a much loved plane. Great job guys!

Bill Hampton 2 meses atrás

Best aircraft in the sky. Flown many miles in her with millions of memories over many years. I miss flying that jet every day.

TestDriveSentry 2 meses atrás

My grandma traveled a lot back in the 70s and 80s and flew on the aircraft hundreds and hundreds of times all around the world. Such a shame this beauty is being retired.

Sue Crets 2 meses atrás

Best plane ever built. My father flew for Pan Am for 37 years. He loved his job and loved the 747. Thanks great tribute. Glad they mentioned PanAm that's why we had the 707 and 747.

Robert Mailander 2 meses atrás

It's so sad that Pan am went bankrupt. I used to have a Pan American gym bag with the blue and white logo. I don't think anyone ever thought they would go out of business. Pan American is immortalized in Stanley Kubrick's movie,"2001 A Space Odyssey,"in which the Pan-American logo appears on the airliner/spacecraft flying into Earth orbit. Just a footnote, that movie was released in 1968 and was nominated for 4 academy awards. Some readers may think I've gone off topic by talking about Pan American. But, Pan American was a key collaborator in the development of the 747 and Boeing would have had to have found another airline if PanAm had not promised to buy it if they built it.

sanitman1 2 meses atrás

@Justin G biased opinion there chief . 25 years in the business turning wrenches too !

Justin G 2 meses atrás

@Beautissimo And The Dia-Betesyour Dad was the backbone of the airline…been a mechanic for 30 plus years…and love it

Justin G 2 meses atrás

@sanitman1I have been an airline mechanic for over 30 years…so mine is probably better than yours

Justin G 2 meses atrás

You know zero

Teka R 2 meses atrás

I lost count how many times I have flown in this plane and it will definitely be missed. This is a great video! 👏🏻👏🏻

Donny Sarian 2 meses atrás

The greatest passenger aircraft ever designed and built bar none. I have flown them hundreds of times since their introduction into service in 1970. Today, no American carriers use them anymore and it's tragic because the safety record is astonishing and it's comfort is unsurpassed, especially the newest 747-8i which I flew in First Class a few years ago with Lufthansa. Joe Sutter and his team crafted the most recognizable and beautiful aircraft in history.

Bill S 2 meses atrás

My professional career was being a pilot, and I was extremely fortunate to end up with about 4,500 hours on 747's, and I retired as a Captain on them. A magnificent machine.

Eddie Cejvan 2 meses atrás

Farewell your majesty. You defined an era of jet-setting. The very icon of my life-long love affair with airports and air travel. Glad I got to see one of you in the making at Everett in 2014, which is also the last time I flew you via Air China from Beijing to Vancouver.

Jack Ledger 2 meses atrás

I was 14 years old when I took my first flight on one of the first three 747s within the British Airways fleet in 1970 and it was from London Heathrow to Johannesburg in South Africa. The thrill of the takeoff will be with me until my last breath, and that’s when I fell in love with this airplane, it was beyond remarkable in every sense of the word, and remained so right up until sadly British Airways retired this beautiful airplane from their fleet. Such a sad day.

AaronL Trains and Planes 2 meses atrás

My cousin was a 747 pilot for Delta. On his retirement flight, he flew Delta's last 747 which was retired after that flight.

Justin G 2 meses atrás

We all got pieces of the plane cut to look like puzzle pieces…pretty cool

Valerie Matei 2 meses atrás

I flew that aircraft from the beginning at Pan Am then again at DeltaI took the first Delta 747 to Tokyo after so many years. It was like riding a bicycle..you never forget.. I loved that airplane❤ Valerie Matei

Ryan 2 meses atrás

@pushslice he kept both wings

Ryan Khosravi 2 meses atrás

@pushslice I cant tell if you are joking or serious

pushslice 2 meses atrás

So did he get to keep the plane?

Brad Colby 2 meses atrás

Was 7 years old in 1970 when I saw the first 747 as my grandfather was an executive with Pan Am. We toured the plane at MIA. I will never forget how amazing it was..🇺🇸🇺🇸. Thank you Boeing

Karl Schneider 2 meses atrás

I got a seat on the first Pan Am flight from SFO to Tokyo in early '70. It was a fabulous experience for me since I was a commercial pilot and flight instructor...and was the first trans-Pacific flight I took , then over the next dozen or so years on 747s of several airlines. I always loved traveling on the big bird.

ralleyquattro 2 meses atrás

What a classic! Love everything about it. Such an icon!

Powdertrax 2 meses atrás

When the 747 was at its prime we were completing one every 4 days, there were eight inside the factory.

Glenn D Grace 2 meses atrás

Was fortunate enough to fly with my siblings from SFO to New York on summer vacation in the mid-seventies. We were kids, and flew alone to see my dad’s mom. I’ll never forget it. It really was a gorgeous plane.

Clever lady 2 meses atrás

My first international flight from South Africa to New York was on a 747 when I was just 7 years old. One of the fondest memories of my childhood. I was so amazed at the sheer size of her and that iconic hump. I remember wishing me and my sister would sit on the top deck, didn't understand the differences in classes. She's truly the queen of the skies❤❤

berlindude75 2 meses atrás

Definitely an iconic aircraft. Only flew on it a handful of times (HeathrowVancouver with BA 747-400 in the late 1990s, on the upper deck plus flight deck visit pre-9/11), last time on the KLM 747M Combi in Economy Comfort in 2012 from Amsterdam (AMS) to Seoul (ICN) and back. I haven't made it onto the more modern A350 and B-777/787 yet, only older A319/320/330/340 and B-737/757/767 before. There's also still hope I'll be able to fly on the A380 before it gets retired. Fingers crossed.

Blue Star 2 meses atrás

I remember my first B747 flight on Pan Am from Singapore to San Francisco on January 4, 1980. Enroute to SFO was a stopover at Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong, the infamous and scary airport. I remember seeing those tall buildings being so close to the runways.

Ge Vs 2 meses atrás

How can you say the world's best aircraft was a failure? The 747 is still a beast in the air. And it still will still be for many years to come. I worked on its design modification and I still love that bird to the day I pass.

Dadisalive Andwell 2 meses atrás

It was a marveous airplane, and my personal favorite of all time. Flew on many of them, on Air France, Pan Am, Iberia, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and TWA. Always felt safer given the four engines.

Jeff Overy 2 meses atrás

First time I flew was on one in 76 to Canada, thought of flying scared me to death,but when I got aboard was like being in a cinema,didn't even feel it take off, unbelievable!

Leigh Williams 2 meses atrás

I made a 13-hr flight from San Francisco to Tokyo on a JAL 747 in 1983. I had flown back to the States on a C-5, accompanied by 40 drunk Marines, so my pregnant self was very appreciative of the space and whisper-smooth ride of the Queen of the Skies.

Wall.Street.AV. 2 meses atrás

I am proud to say that my very first flight ever was in a super monster 747-400. I will never forget that one!!!

rmars 2 meses atrás

There will never be another plane like 747 it was iconic.

Paul Hester 2 meses atrás

i've never flown on one but my brother had booked us tickets to the paris air show in 2012 where i got to see one up close, got to see the A380 take off at le Bourget too.amazing experience.

Gomez Okpala 2 meses atrás

CNBC this is truly a very beautifully done documentary. So touching and educative details on the history and lifespan of the Boeing 747. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.

Mike 2 meses atrás

When I took my first European trip I was excited to see it was a 747. Such a iconic plane I always wanted to travel on.

Jarrett Stewart 2 meses atrás

@PenskePC23 Still do.

PenskePC23 2 meses atrás

My grandparents would always fly Lufthansa when they lived in Germany. From what they told me they had a great fleet of 747s

Spartan Striker23 2 meses atrás

The only time I got on a 747 was 2017 when I had to go to Germany from Fort Drum for a rotation assignment. I always wanted to fly in one of them and I was able to. It’s sad to them stop production on these amazing planes. I actually felt amazing when I walked a staircase to get on the plane. Just from point of view of looking at it from the ramp left me awed.

Kelly Evans 2 meses atrás

Flew on one of these huge airplanes coming back from Hawaii….there was only about 15 passengers on the whole plane….we had three stewardesses waiting on us and hanging out with us.. they gave us a couple bottles of champagne for free ! It was just weird to have such a huge aircraft pretty much to ourselves. It was like a cadilac inside..super cushy and blue and grey inside..this was in 1994

freezyourit 2 meses atrás

In the 80's, as a young child, I remember going to the airport, catching a glimpse, and being in awe when I'd look out to see which airplane was bigger. Visually, counting the number of engines on the airplanes that landed, or took off. Yes, my favorite was this 4 engined plane. Airports had these waiting areas, and around were these large windows (unsure if I could call them windows). I remember feeling so tiny when looking at all the planes.

vagelis koukaras 2 meses atrás

She will always be the Queen of the skies.Such an iconic aircraft might be succeeded,but never replaced (in our harts,at least)...

Robert Hightower 2 meses atrás

My first flight in a 747 was 1984 on Flying Tigers Airlines.1990 I flew in a Continental 747 from Honolulu to Houston IAH.Great airplane!Will be sorely missed!

JustT 2 meses atrás

My first time flying the upper deck was something I never have forgotten… after dozens of journeys across the Atlantic and Pacific from the 747-100 to the 747-400 I’ll never forget the magical experience that came with it, I’ll surely miss her.

spar0035 2 meses atrás

She'll be in operation for decades to come, so probably don't need to miss her just yet.

King Ghidorah 2 meses atrás

i'm glad I could fly on a 747 a couple of times for Pullmantur Cruises, olde gal was 20 years old and came from Singapore Airways, it astounded me how the largest plane i've ever traveled with: Took off in less time, reached cruise highest and quickest, and arrived to destination a good load of time before those planes that took ahead of it (cruise passengers)

R M 2 meses atrás

Still my favorite plane to fly in as a passenger. So gentle in flight and landings. I still hope to fly on another one last time on a trip to the Philippines.

eWorkx 2 meses atrás

My first plane ride was in 1995 on a KLM 747 from Nairobi to Toronto via Amsterdam. Because of that experience I became an AV Geek. I'll forever love and miss the 747 when it disappears.

Rudolph Valentino Connections 2 meses atrás

I love this plane...the best ever! Flew it several times....4 engines feel so safe! I wept seeing one carrying retired space shuttle Endeavour right over me...love both of them.

only me 2 meses atrás

The work and skill in making this thing to fly was one word ‘kudos’

Strumminandwrenchin 2 meses atrás

I flew the 747 since infancy while traveling to Hong Kong. It was always a given that I'll be on a 747. But in 2001, a new 777-200 from Continental flew me to Tokyo from IAH Houston and I was so impressed that a 2 engine jet could do the 747's job. I was impressed but at the same time a little sad that the trusty 747 that's always been synonymous with long haul travel was now losing its glory, 22 years ago. I was thinking to myself then that the 747 is quickly becoming an outdated aircraft as much I loved it. Going forward after my first 777 flight in 2001 I was able to catch a few 747-400s, which I thought then would last for many years to come but, sadly less than a decade after those flights, the 747-400s were quickly being replaced by many airlines. My last ever 747 flight was on a United 747-400 from SFO-HKG in late 2016. It was time I wished could last a little more longer. Now as of 2023, I don't think I'll ever catch a 747 again. Well, if there any airlines or even freighters that are flying the 747 for "decades to come" I'd hope every 747 owner would completely retire the airplane on its 100th anniversary since its first flight on February 9, 2069! That would be the GREATEST 747 farewell ever!

gautum bkree 2 meses atrás

Travel on Lufthansa if you want to catch a 747. From LAX, Chicago, Houston.

Gregory Parrott 2 meses atrás

Retirement at 100 would be epic! Another aircraft that may actually reach that milestone is the B-52

Jocke andersson 2 meses atrás

I am so grateful to have ridden this beauty. When I was little between the years 2002- until about 2010, we went from Sweden to Bangkok in a 747 every year. The last time I went on it was in 2020 (probably the last time :(.... Then it was a 747a extra inserted between bangkok-Phuket, I called up upgraded to Business class immediately I saw it was a 747a. An old beautiful classic plane a this once. Rest in peace

Alex Broere 2 meses atrás

When I was just 2 years old I made my first trip on the 747. First class to Asia from the Netherlands. Flew a lot with KLM/Northwest during growing up in Asia. Loved the 747. She was truly the Queen of the sky. When my dad was growing up in Mexico the Dutch community there was invited to come and see the first 747 of KLM. Such a unique moment. I always felt safe and with KLM it felt like home stepping on the plane and going back to the Netherlands.

ilynx2008 Mês atrás

Excellent repporting! I loved this mini documentary,so well done! And the footage is awesome too!

Jazz Briley 2 meses atrás

I haven’t flown in 15 plus years but the last time I was in the air, on 747 but I don’t remember what airline, I was a little kid. Probably Lufthansa but I’m not 100% positive. My parents were on overseas military deployment in Germany at that time. Flying on the 747 every time we visited family back in the states was one of the coolest experiences I remember. We usually sat over the wings and seeing them bounce a little during takeoff and landing was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Watching the plane bank from that point of view was also really awesome.