As the famous aircraft Boeing 747 turns 50, we revisit the jumbo jet’s journey from making its first revenue flight for Pan Am between New York JFK and London Heathrow, to becoming the most favoured aircraft across the globe. By Tanvi Jain
It was on January 22, 1970, that 747 entered the commercial space, despite making a maiden flight on February 9, 1969.
Favoured not just by regular passengers but even celebrities and politicians, the aircraft has managed to deliver over 1,550 of these jets to airlines all over the world.
The 747 was first designed upon the request of Pan Am founder Juan Trippe, who initially wanted a double decker jet, but settled on a single deck after Boeing suggested to keep the second deck as a hump. With 11 doors, and room for 362 passengers, this American invention was assembled just outside Seattle in Everett, Washington.
At first, the aircraft offered its passengers, high ceilings and vertical sidewalls. It’s idea to split the cabins with lavatories and galleys can be seen reflecting in designs even today. The 747’s turbo fan engines, which were initially brought to reduce air travel cost, are also common these days.
Later, the designers built specifications to make it a freight carrying aircraft as well, one of which included moving the cockpit from the main deck to the higher deck. What was initially built as the crew rest area behind the flight deck, later turned into a lounge, and became another selling point for 747.
Within few months of its invention, it was able to add more flights connecting San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Hong Kong. And by June 1970 itself, Boeing had backed orders for nearly 200 aircrafts.
The most famous 747 to ever take off is the Air Force One, the American president’s wings, delivered in 1990.
Over the years, the 747 has undergone lot of updates, from the removal of luxuries like bars and grand pianos, to the reconfiguration and increase in number of seats.
However, with newer and more fuel-efficient planes entering the market, the Boeing 747 also known as The Queen of Skies, has slowly fallen out of favour, after setting passenger records for years. Not even a single 747 was ordered last year.
Related: How Boeing Is Changing The Face Of Luxe Travel On Long-Haul Flights With The All-New 777X
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