The last 747 that Boeing will ever make took off this morning with Atlas Air, flying from Paine Field, WA (flight number 5Y747, tail N863GT) and headed for Cincinnati, OH.
On the way, they wanted to honor the legendary Queen of the Skies and all who built, flew and worked with her for the last 50+ years. So they drew a giant queen’s crown with “747” underneath, over central Washington.
Nice touch, Atlas Air.
As we reported yesterday, the 747 program changed the travel and airline industries, and in doing so changed the world over the course of more than 50 years. Production is now history, but the queens still in service will be flying for decades (mainly the new ones flown by cargo airlines, such as Atlas and UPS).
The plane is arguably the most beloved ever made. Even people who are not avgeeks usually know the 747. And for decades, an airline wasn’t even considered a serious contender by the public unless they had 747s.
747 was a huge gamble for Boeing, and paid off big time
In the beginning it was a make or break gamble for Boeing, and it nearly bankrupt them. But in the end, it all worked out, thanks in large part to “The Incredibles”, the mechanics who built the first 747s. Pan Am said if Boeing build it they’ll buy it, and they did, and so did nearly everyone else after.
Even NASA used modified 747s, taking space shuttles piggyback cross-country and even installing a flying telescope on another 747, called SOFIA. Both of those planes are in museums, at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.
The jumbo jet has also served as Air Force One for years, flying 6 Presidents, and will continue doing so for many years to come.
Boeing is currently working on two new 747 Air Force Ones to deliver to the Air Force, but they are modified 747s from already produced airframes.
Production is over, but the 747 will fly on for years
Times of course change. Increasing fuel costs and newer plane types with better fuel efficiency and superior design tech have forced major airlines to move away from the 747.
Most now operate as cargo freighters. The global air cargo fleet is expected to grow by more than 60% over the next 20 years. But a few airlines still fly them for passenger travel. They include Asiana Airlines, Mahan Air, Lufthansa, Koren Air, Max Air and Air China.
“The 747 will forever hold a special place in aviation history,” said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Atlas Air began operations 28 years ago with a single 747 and it is fitting that they should receive the last, ensuring that the ‘Queen of the Skies’ plays a significant role in the global air cargo market for decades to come.”
