For those who love the 747 (& maybe those who don't)

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straitman

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Can The Boeing 747 Remain A Flagship?

Is the Very Large Aircraft market a thing of the past?
Jul 21, 2014Pierre Sparaco | Aviation Week & Space Technology


The formidable Boeing 747 remains a world-class player in the airline industry 44 years after it entered service in Pan American World Airways livery. The 1,500th 747 was delivered late last month toLufthansa; it was the 75th model for the carrier that helped launch the type in the late 1960s. No other widebody has reached this production milestone, an achievement that deserves more media attention at a time when small and medium-size airliners seem to be on the ascent.

It is unusual to be able to celebrate a specific aircraft type more than four decades after the MSN 1 rollout and while production is still ongoing. Although only six 747-8Is were delivered during this year’s first half and the production rate is at its lowest point, this doesn’t mean the 747 is approaching the end of its industrial life. It remains a class in itself, despite competition from the Airbus A380 and the impending stretched-fuselage777X.

The launch of the 747 opened a new chapter in the airline industry’s saga. The October 1968 rollout ceremony, attended by an admiring crowd, marked the emergence of a commercial transport of unprecedented dimensions, and thousands of visitors circled the “Jumbo Jet” at the 1969 Paris air show, where it dominated the static display and signaled the dawn of a new era of travel for the masses.




 
Im flying on the final NZ b747 service out of Australia on September 5. Anybody else?
 
Love the 747. Although sometimes when you board one these days you look at the yellowing plastic fittings. And just hope that the mechanical bits have been refreshed sometime ( I know they would have been :) ).

But I thought Delta bought 747 #1? At least that's what I thought a ACI episode said, when one of their 747s rudders were akimbo. Not that I believe everything I hear on telly ;) :rolleyes:
 
Love the 747. Although sometimes when you board one these days you look at the yellowing plastic fittings. And just hope that the mechanical bits have been refreshed sometime ( I know they would have been :) ).

But I thought Delta bought 747 #1? At least that's what I thought a ACI episode said, when one of their 747s rudders were akimbo. Not that I believe everything I hear on telly ;) :rolleyes:

Wasn't that one of the early 747-400's?
 
Love the 747. Although sometimes when you board one these days you look at the yellowing plastic fittings. And just hope that the mechanical bits have been refreshed sometime ( I know they would have been :) ).

But I thought Delta bought 747 #1? At least that's what I thought a ACI episode said, when one of their 747s rudders were akimbo. Not that I believe everything I hear on telly ;) :rolleyes:

Wasn't that one of the early 747-400's?

Sort of. Northwest was the launch customer for the 744.
 
Anyone know about the 747-8 and how it performs and compares to the mainstream 777 and A330. Don't hear of the 8 much - it seems to be a forgotten plane. Was hoping it might extend the life of the 747 in the skies.
 
The queen of the skies. Lovely aircraft.

I wish more airlines would take up the 747-800.
 
Suspect the 777X series will pretty much kill of the pax variant of the 747.

The 9X is reported to fly up to 405 pax versus 470 for the 747-8.
Range capability the same, and cargo capacity about the same (albeit LD1 not LD3)

and two engined.
 
Suspect the 777X series will pretty much kill of the pax variant of the 747.

The 9X is reported to fly up to 405 pax versus 470 for the 747-8.
Range capability the same, and cargo capacity about the same (albeit LD1 not LD3)

and two engined.

There are airlines who already pack 425 seats into the 77W, without first class (KLM), so 405 almost seems on the lower side.
 
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The Boeing 747 is my all time favourite aircraft. Probably from the Airport movies where it could "fly itself". :D

Or maybe because we are about the same age. :shock:

Perhaps it is its classic shape.

I am looking forward to trying the LH 747-800 later this year.

As TomVexille said: "Long live the 747".
 
There are airlines who already pack 425 seats into the 77W, without first class (KLM), so 405 almost seems on the lower side.

405 is the Boeing three class projection. What airlines pack in is obviously a different beast as you well know.
 
I still remember my first 747 flight - T.W.A. March 30, 1972 L.A. to London
1972-07-747-131-N93114-ORD-7772.jpg

As an eleven year old I can recall just looking at it in wonder at the gate.....

Lead in flight was on an Air N.Z. DC8 Brisbane to L.A. via Auckland and Tahiti so talk about a whole new world.
 
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