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Boeing employees who designed and built the first 747 were amongst thousands of attendees as the US aerospace giant celebrated the end of an era at its factory in Everett, Washington state yesterday (31 January).
Production of the 747 started at Everett in 1967. The factory produced 1,574 aeroplanes over the course of the programme.
As the first twin-aisle aeroplane and ‘jumbo jet’, the 747 enabled airlines to transport more than 500 passengers at a time, and to provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. The aircraft’s core design, with its distinctive hump and seating in the upper deck, was refined with models such as the 747-400 in 1988 and the final 747-8 model in 2005.
“This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that 'shrank the world,' and revolutionised travel and air cargo as the first widebody,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the 'Queen' will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo.”
John Dietrich, president and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide, said: “We are honoured to continue our long history of flying this iconic aircraft for our customers around the world.
“Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter, and since then we have spanned the globe, operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts.”
Today, the 747 has taken on new roles, including as a rocket carrier aircraft for Virgin Orbit. Founder Richard Branson, who started Virgin Atlantic with a single 747 in 1984, told Reuters: “It's okay for the occasional mission for space but the fuel costs flying daily backwards and forwards across the Atlantic are just too expensive now. So farewell to a wonderful beast.”
The company will now start a new 737 Max production line at its Everett factory due to strong demand, Reuters also reported.
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