Name: Boeing 747-400
Brand: Boeing

Airline Liveries

The iconic jumbo jet that democratized international air travel. The -400 variant introduced a two-crew glass cockpit, winglets, and improved range. Though no longer in production, it remains a symbol of aviation history.

Passengers

416-524

Range

8,357 mi

Cruise Speed

572 mph

First Flight

1988

Did You Know?

The 747 was the first wide-body aircraft and remained the largest passenger aircraft for 37 years until the A380 entered service.

History & Timeline

Key Milestones

1968

Rollout of the First Jumbo Jet

On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the world's largest building by volume. The aircraft was so large that spectators gasped when they first saw it. It was longer than the Wright Brothers' first flight, wider than a boulevard, and its tail was as tall as a six-story building.

1969

First Flight of the Queen

On February 9, 1969, the Boeing 747 took to the skies for the first time from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Test pilots Jack Waddell, Brien Wygle, and flight engineer Jess Wallick flew the aircraft for just over an hour. The flight was cut slightly short due to a minor flap issue, but the era of the jumbo jet had begun.

1970

Pan Am Launches the Jumbo Jet Era

On January 22, 1970, Pan Am's 747 "Clipper Young America" flew the first commercial 747 service from New York to London. The era of mass air travel had truly arrived. The 747 could carry more than twice as many passengers as the 707, dramatically reducing the cost per seat and making international travel accessible to millions.

2023

End of an Era: The Final 747

On January 31, 2023, the final Boeing 747 was delivered to Atlas Air, ending 54 years of continuous production. A total of 1,574 aircraft were built. The "Queen of the Skies" revolutionized air travel, but fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft ultimately made the four-engine jumbo economically obsolete for most routes.

Development Story

The Legendary Handshake Deal

The 747 was born from a legendary conversation between Boeing President William Allen and Pan Am President Juan Trippe. Trippe asked: "If you build it, I'll buy it." Allen replied: "If you buy it, I'll build it." This handshake deal launched the most ambitious commercial aircraft program in history, with Pan Am ordering 25 aircraft for $525 million.

Boeing Bet the Company

Boeing literally bet the company on the 747 program. The $1 billion development cost (equivalent to over $9 billion today) exceeded the company's entire net worth. If the program had failed, Boeing would have gone bankrupt. The company had to build the world's largest building in Everett, Washington just to assemble the aircraft.

The Hump That Changed Everything

Juan Trippe originally wanted a full double-deck design, but concerns about emergency evacuation led to the wide-body single-deck configuration. The distinctive "hump" behind the cockpit was initially added for aerodynamic streamlining, but Trippe suggested using it for a passenger lounge. This created the iconic silhouette that defined the Queen of the Skies.

Interesting Facts

Presidential Airlift

Two Boeing 747-200B aircraft have served as Air Force One since 1990, carrying the President of the United States. The distinctive blue and white livery designed by Raymond Loewy at Jackie Kennedy's request has become a symbol of American power worldwide.

Legacy & Impact

The Plane That Shrank the World

The 747 democratized international air travel. Before the jumbo jet, flying across oceans was a luxury for the wealthy. The 747's economics changed that forever, enabling the modern era of global tourism and business travel. It carried an estimated 5.9 billion passengers over its lifetime—equivalent to 75% of the world's population.