The second to last 747 to ever be produced has rolled out of Boeing’s factory at Paine Airport in Everett, WA.
Avgeek Matt Cawby was there to capture images of the 747-8F freighter (#1573, N862GT), as the penultimate rollout occurred. The final plane, #1574 (N863GT), entered final body join on Sep 29th.
Altas Airlines actually took delivery of the third to last Queen of the Skies just yesterday, #861GT. Boeing is expected to deliver the final plane to Atlas, #1574, by the end of the year.
Production Is Ending But The 747 Will Continue To Fly On For Years, Mostly In A Cargo Role
The iconic plane, however, will still serve in the skies for many years to come, as major cargo carriers such as Atlas Air and UPS still use them extensively (both are the largest operators of the 747).
Atlas actually ordered the last three 747s, and they operate more 747s than anyone else (more than 50).
747 Was A Gamble That Paid Off
Boeing has been producing 747s for more than 54 years. The plane was developed at the request of Pan Am, who in 1966 asked Boeing for the biggest airliner ever. Boeing accepted the challenge, and it nearly bankrupt them.
But the gamble paid off. The first 747 flew its maiden voyage on February 9th, 1969. The first commercial flight with Pan Am took place a year later from New York to London, flown by Captain Robert M. Weeks, Captain John Noland and Flight Engineer August (“Mac”) McKinney. It ushered in a new age that revolutionized the industry by making international travel affordable for the every day person.
Other airlines followed with orders for 747s, and it became a staple of international travel. A company wasn’t even considered a major airline unless they had a 747.
747 Served In Many Roles
Even NASA found use for them, using a modified 747 to carry their space shuttle fleet piggyback on trips between California and Florida for over 30 years.
NASA also modified another 747 to carry a flying telescope to explore the universe in ways stationary telescopes on the ground could not. That plane just flew it’s last science mission last week, which we reported on HERE.
And of course, the jumbo jet has served as Air Force One, flying 6 Presidents over the years, 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.
But times of course do 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.
Atlas Air Is The Largest Remaining Operator
“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.”
“I can’t emphasize how big of a sense of employee pride there is with this airplane,” said Boeing’s head of communication for the 747, Brianna Jackson, during a media tour of the production facility earlier this year. “There are people here who have worked on this plane for 40 years — their entire career on the 747. They love this airplane and want to see it to the end.”
