The Boeing 747 entered service with Pan American Airlines in January 1970 and has since become the workhorse of the world’s long-haul, high-capacity fleet. To-date, Boeing has delivered 1,365 747s in four basic types, the 747-100/-200/-300/-400.

In November 2005, after many false starts, Boeing finally launched the 747-8 Intercontinental to serve the 400-500-seat markets and the Boeing 747-8 Freighter.

The Boeing 747 was the first passenger jet to have a twin-aisle cabin section and a staircase leading to an upper deck in the nose section.

Powered by four Pratt & Whitney/General Electric/Rolls-Royce turbofans the Boeing 747 remains the world’s fastest subsonic passenger jet. It has carried more than 3.5 billion passengers on 35 billion miles of revenue-earning service with 80 airlines.

History

Rolled out at Boeing’s Everett plant in Seattle in September 1968, the Boeing 747-100 originated from Boeing’s failed entry for the US air force’s C-5 military transport competition. The 747 was Boeing’s response to a requirement for a 400-seat long-range transport and was launched in April 1966 with an order for 25 aircraft.

Interesting facts:

After delivery to Northwest Airlines in January 1989 Boeing was rolling out a new 747-400 every six days.

Two Boeing 747s form the presidential Air Force One transport, and a 747 was also converted to transport the Space Shuttle. A number of Boeing 747s have also been converted into luxury business aircraft.

Boeing 747 Cutaway