Boeing delivers its last 747, the ‘jumbo’ that democratized air transport

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The company stops manufacturing the plane more than 50 years after its first flight and the construction of 1,574 examples. Boeing delivered, this Tuesday (31), the last example of its legendary 747, the plane that democratized air transport, transported presidents of the United States and has always been distinguished by its hump on the front of the fuselage. Thousands of current and former employees, customers and suppliers of the aircraft manufacturer watched the delivery of the plane, a 747-8 freighter, to Atlas Air at the Everett factory, in the northwest of the United States. The last 747 delivered by Boeing, a freighter to Atlas Air David Ryder/Reuters Boeing turns an important page in civil aviation, by ceasing to manufacture the plane, more than 50 years after its first flight and the construction of 1,574 examples. Thanks to its size, range and efficiency, the 747 “allowed the middle class to venture out of Europe, or the United States, with increasingly affordable fares, even during the oil crisis of the 1970s,” said Michel Merluzeau , aviation specialist from the company AIR. “It opened up the world,” he emphasized, before being overtaken by more efficient, kerosene-saving planes. Long history The history of the 747 began in the 1960s, when air transport became popular and airports had to cope with an increase in traffic. At Pan Am’s request, Boeing decided to build a plane that could carry many more passengers. Initially, its engineers envisioned two superimposed fuselages, but they were concerned with the situation of taller passengers, in the event of an aircraft evacuation. “Instead of making the plane taller, they’re going to make it longer,” explained Boeing historian Michael Lombardi. Thus, the 747, also called “queen of the skies”, or “jumbo”, would become the first plane with two aisles. Equipped with four engines, the aircraft was also designed, from the beginning, to transport cargo. Thus, to facilitate the loading of large volumes, it opens from the front. Therefore, the cabin was installed higher up, with some seats reserved for the privileged in the back, creating that characteristic ledge. The 747 remained the largest aircraft on the market until the arrival of the Airbus A380 in the 2000s. Air Force One in preparation “Although the 747 has been redesigned three or four times, technological evolution has been quite limited in terms of electronics and engines” , said Merluzeau. Of the last adaptation, the 747-8 launched in 2005, Boeing sold only 48 passenger versions and 107 cargo versions. Airlines such as Qantas and British Airways are gradually phasing out these planes from their fleets. In the United States, no company has used it since the end of 2017. Boeing announced in 2020 that it would stop production in 2022, although it will continue flying for a few decades, especially in its cargo version. The 747 has been the flagship of US presidents since 1990 and will remain with the White House for years to come as two examples are being modified to replace the Air Force One currently in service.

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