Boeing ends production of iconic jumbo jet as airline industry shifts

The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and commercial service started with Pan Am on January 22, 1970. Over time, many variants were produced—including models designed for longer range or higher capacity—and special versions for cargo or government use.

Competition arose from smaller widebody aircraft like the Lockheed L-1011 and Airbus A340/A380 series. The cargo market also embraced the 747; Atlas Air received the last one built in January 2023.

A key factor behind the plane's success was its high-bypass turbofan engine technology, which allowed for greater power with less fuel consumption—a result of collaboration between General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, and Pan Am.

Boeing had to construct a massive new factory at Paine Field in Everett, Washington to build these planes—now recognized as one of the largest buildings in volume globally.

Testing included full-scale evacuation drills that initially exceeded required times but later met standards after further trials. The program cost was around $1 billion at launch (equivalent to approximately $6.7 billion today).

When introduced into service by Pan Am—with First Lady Pat Nixon attending—the plane marked a shift toward mass-market international travel. Other airlines soon followed; Qantas notably operated an all-747 fleet for its long-haul routes.

Delta Air Lines was the last US carrier flying passenger versions of the jet before retiring it in December 2017 after a farewell tour across several cities.

Over its lifetime, several versions improved upon earlier models: from increased range (the SP) to larger upper decks (the -300) and enhanced efficiency (the -400 and -8). The latest variant is nearly six meters longer than previous ones.

Today some airlines continue using passenger versions—the most notable being Lufthansa—while carriers like Korean Air and Air China maintain operations primarily within Asia. Cargo operators such as Atlas Air remain significant users due to capacity needs.

Retired planes are now museum pieces worldwide—for example at Seattle’s Museum of Flight or Germany’s Technik Museum Speyer—reflecting their historical significance.

The introduction of widebody airplanes like the Boeing 747 transformed global aviation by enabling longer flights and greater passenger volumes. This made international air travel accessible beyond elite travelers while facilitating global commerce through rapid cargo transport.

Despite ongoing limited use for passengers and freight services, modern twin-engine jets like Airbus A330/A350 or Boeing’s own newer models have taken over much of its role thanks to greater efficiency and changes favoring direct flights over traditional hub systems.