EVERETT — Boeing on 31 January delivered its last-ever 747 to Atlas Air in Everett, Washington, with nearly 9,000 employees, customers and dignitaries in attendance to celebrate and remember the aircraft that changed the world. Over the life of the programme, the airframer delivered a total of 1,574 Boeing 747s.
The final 747 features special artwork in tribute to the father of the programme, Joe Sutter, who together with a radical team known as “The Incredibles” designed and built the first jumbo in only 28 months. Even with today’s advanced engineering and computers, the process of developing a clean-sheet aircraft usually takes about twice that amount of time.
Boeing honored lauded engineer Joe Sutter with a decal on the side of the final 747. Image: Paul Thompson
Members of Sutter’s family were among the invited guests. Also in attendance were descendants of Boeing founder Bill Boeing, several original members of The Incredibles, and the grandson of Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan Am — the first airline to acquire the 747.
Scott Tomkins, a member of The Incredibles. Image: Paul Thompson
The 747 inspired wonder in all who saw it, and helped to democratize air travel by making it affordable for many more people to fly.
Its seating capacity was double that of Boeing’s 707, and its lower operating cost per seat allowed airlines to offer fares that attracted business and holiday travellers alike.
Known as the “Queen of the Skies”, the 747 was the first twin-aisle jetliner, which allowed flights to embark and disembark passengers more quickly. Its cabin width created the feeling of extra spatial comfort.
During the final delivery ceremony, Runway Girl Network spoke with Boeing historian Mike Lombardi about the 747, and the PaxEx innovations it brought to air travel. “It was like flying in your living room, with almost 400 of your closest friends,” enthused Lombardi. “It was so new in those days, having that 20ft wide cabin. Overhead stow bins were first introduced with the 747, along with inflight entertainment.”
He continued: “Over the years, you see how they changed the first class experience. You had that upper lounge, the bar, you could go up and sit at the table, have a drink, but then [the upper deck] became part of the first class experience with seats up there. You’ve seen refinements such as lay-down seats, which Philippine Airlines was very proud to introduce first, on their routes across the Pacific.”
American Airlines’ first class lounge on the Boeing 747. Image: American Airlines
The 747’s popularity with airlines began to decline with the advent of its younger sibling on the Boeing production line, the 777. With only two engines, the 777 is able to carry similar passenger loads at a cost far more beneficial to airlines.
The newest variant, the 747-8, was developed as a stretched, more fuel efficient design, but only delivered orders to four passenger airlines: Air China, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and now-defunct Russian carrier Transaero.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr spoke during the celebration in Everett, saying that Lufthansa is looking to upgrade its 747-8 interiors in all three classes, to serve the airline well into the next decade.
Spohr is a big fan of the 747, saying his first trip to the US was as an exchange student aboard the jumbo. “Spotters love it, because it’s so damn cool looking,” he noted.
Lufthansa passengers can still ‘fly high’ in the upper deck of the 747. Image: Boeing
Following the ceremony, RGN spoke with Carol Persak, who was one of Joe Sutter’s original Incredibles, and worked on the first 747, then others, for eight years.
“Back then, it was just a job. The factory wasn’t even complete when we got here. We waited on the first wings so we could get to work,” she said.
Persak transferred from Boeing’s Renton plant to Everett to work on the 747. Her position involved sealing the fuel cells in the wings. She shared that her team was about 40% women, because smaller people fit best into the confined spaces inside the wings.
Employees, customers, dignitaries and members of the media joined Boeing for the special event. Image: Paul Thompson
On seeing the final 747 delivered to Atlas Air, Persak said, “It’s a little sad, but it’s awesome. I love it. I’ve worked in aviation almost my whole career.”
The final 747 in Atlas Air’s livery. Image: Paul Thompson
For over fifty years, the 747 has connected people, economies, and cultures. With its iconic hump, the 747 has remained the most recognizable aircraft in the skies. It still carries thousands of passengers on long journeys each day, and will continue to do so — and serve as a freighter — for many years to come.
The first 747 delivery. Image: Boeing
Related Articles:
- AvGeek Log: Flying increasingly elusive 747 never gets old
- The ‘Queen of the Skies’ lives on as a credit card
- The 747, flight attendants and the “60-foot rule”
- British Airways doffs its hat to the Boeing 747 as fleet is retired
- United and its passengers pull out all the stops for Boeing 747 farewell
- Farewell to the 747 and all its premium cabin innovations
Featured image credited to Paul Thompson
