Last 747 Jumbo Jet Leaves Boeing’s Everett Factory
Fifty-four years after the first 747 was produced, the 1,574th and last one leaves Boeing’s Everett, Washington, widebody factory for flight testing.
By Matthew Humphries
The final Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet” airplane has left the company’s widebody factory in Everett, Washington, bringing an end to 54 years of production.
Boeing started producing the 747 in 1967 after Pan Am requested a jet 2.5 times the size of the 707 to reduce its seat costs. Joe Sutter then went on to design the 747, which became the first twin-aisle airliner (and the first to be dubbed a “Jumbo Jet”). In total, Boeing produced 1,574 of the aircraft and many of us have flown on one over the decades.
“For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come,” said Kim Smith, Boeing Vice President and general manager, 747 and 767 Programs.
The final 747 to roll off the production line is also the largest model. The 747–8 counts as the longest commercial aircraft in service (250.2 feet/76.2 meters) and the last one is capable of carrying 133.1 tonnes of payload. Boeing points out that’s the equivalent of 10,699 solid-gold bars or 19 million golf balls.
The final 747 goes to aircraft leasing company Atlas Air, which has an existing fleet of 737, 747, 767, and 777 aircraft. It will take delivery of the last new 747–8 in early 2023 after Boeing has finished flight testing the aircraft.
Boeing confirmed in 2020 that it would complete production of the 747–8 in 2022. As Insider notes, airlines in recent years have opted for more fuel-efficient planes, like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350XWB.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
