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The Boeing 747, known for its distinctive hump and four engines, has played a major role in both passenger and cargo aviation since the early 1970s. More than 1,500 units were produced over its five-decade run, serving airlines and cargo operators worldwide. As these aircraft age, many have been retired or shifted from passenger to cargo service.
Initially designed as a potential military transport for the US Air Force in the 1960s, the 747 was introduced to commercial aviation after losing out to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. Pan American World Airways became its launch customer, ordering 25 aircraft and debuting the jet on transatlantic routes in 1970. Over time, various models of the 747 served major carriers such as Japan Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Air France.
In recent years, most remaining Boeing 747s have operated as freighters rather than passenger jets. Atlas Air currently operates more than 50 of these aircraft for cargo purposes. Other active cargo operators include UPS Airlines with 13 freighters, Cargolux with 30, Lufthansa Cargo with 27, Kalitta Air with 22, AirBridgeCargo with 13, and Silk Way West Airlines with ten.
