Boeing 747

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Long-range wide-body airliner

• Designer

  Joe Sutter

• Nickname

  Queen of the Skies

• Wing Sweep

  37.5 degrees

• Cruise Speed

  Mach 0.85 (900 km/h; 490 kn)

• Manufacturer

  Boeing Commercial Airplanes

• Production Total

  1,574 aircraft

• Country of Origin

  United States

• Engines (initial)

  Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan

• Number of Engines

  4

• Engines (variants)

  General Electric CF6, Rolls-Royce RB211, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, General Electric GEnx

• Distinctive Feature

  Partial double-deck

• Maximum Range (747-200)

  6,560 nautical miles (12,150 km; 7,550 mi)

• Passenger Capacity (typical)

  366 passengers (in three travel classes)

• Economy Seating Configuration

  Ten-abreast

• Maximum Range (747-100 initial)

  4,620 nautical miles (8,560 km; 5,320 mi)

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (747-200)

  833,000 pounds (378 t)

• Accidents and Incidents (as of 2025-10)

  65 aircraft lost (4.1%), 3,746 fatalities

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (747-100 initial)

  735,000 pounds (333 t)

Timeline

• Pan Am expresses desire for a jet 2.5 times the size of the Boeing 707 to reduce seat costs. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1958-10

• Joe Sutter leaves the 737 development program to design the 747, marking the beginning of its development. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1965

• Pan Am orders 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1966-04

• Pratt & Whitney agrees to develop the JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan, for the 747. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1966

• The first 747 is rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1968-09-30

• The Boeing 747 makes its first flight. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1969-02-09

• The Boeing 747 is certified. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1969-12

• The Boeing 747 enters service with Pan Am. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1970-01-22

• Boeing introduces the 747-200 variant with uprated engines for a heavier maximum takeoff weight and increased range. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1971

• Boeing introduces the 747SP (Special Performance) variant, a shortened version for longer-range flights. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1976

• Boeing introduces the 747-300 variant with a stretched upper deck for increased passenger capacity. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1983

• Boeing introduces the 747-400 variant, featuring improved engines and a two-crew glass cockpit, becoming the most common variant. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1989

• The stretched 747-8 variant is launched, utilizing General Electric GEnx engines. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2005-11-14

• The first 747-8 is delivered. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2011-10

• The final Boeing 747 is delivered to Atlas Air, marking the end of its 54-year production run. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2023-01

Boeing 747

The Boeing 747 is a long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. After the introduction of the 707 in October 1958, Pan Am wanted a jet 2+1⁄2 times its size, to reduce its seat cost by 30%. In 1965, Joe Sutter left the 737 development program to design the 747. In April 1966, Pan Am ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft, and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop the JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the world's largest building by volume. The 747's first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the 747 was certified in December 1969. It entered service with Pan Am on January 22, 1970. The 747 was the first airplane called a "Jumbo Jet" as the first wide-body airliner. The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates 366 passengers in three travel classes. It has a pronounced 37.5° wing sweep, allowing a Mach 0.85 (490 kn; 900 km/h) cruise speed, and its heavy weight is supported by four main landing gear legs, each with a four-wheel bogie. The partial double-deck aircraft was designed with a raised cockpit so it could be converted to a freighter airplane by installing a front cargo door, as it was initially thought that it would eventually be superseded by supersonic transports. Boeing introduced the -200 in 1971, with uprated engines for a heavier maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 833,000 pounds (378 t) from the initial 735,000 pounds (333 t), increasing the maximum range from 4,620 to 6,560 nautical miles [nmi] (8,560 to 12,150 km; 5,320 to 7,550 mi). It was shortened for the longer-range 747SP in 1976, and the 747-300 followed in 1983 with a stretched upper deck for up to 400 seats in three classes. The heavier 747-400 with improved RB211 and CF6 engines or the new PW4000 engine (the JT9D successor), and a two-crew glass cockpit, was introduced in 1989 and is the most common variant. After several studies, the stretched 747-8 was launched on November 14, 2005, using the General Electric GEnx engine first developed for the 787 Dreamliner (the inspiration for the -8 in the name), and was first delivered in October 2011. The 747 is the basis for several government and military variants, such as the VC-25 (Air Force One), E-4 Emergency Airborne Command Post, Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, and some experimental test aircraft such as the YAL-1 and SOFIA airborne observatory. Initial competition came from the smaller trijet widebodies: the Lockheed L-1011 (introduced in 1972), McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (1971) and later MD-11 (1990). Airbus competed with later variants with the heaviest versions of the A340 until surpassing the 747 in size with the A380, delivered between 2007 and 2021. Freighter variants of the 747 remain popular with cargo airlines. The final 747 was delivered to Atlas Air in January 2023 after a 54-year production run, with 1,574 aircraft built. As of October 2025, 65 Boeing 747s (4.1%) have been lost in accidents and incidents, in which a total of 3,746 people have died.

Web Search Results

• Boeing 747 - Wikipedia

  The Boeing 747 is a large, wide-body (two-aisle) airliner with four wing-mounted engines. Its wings have a high sweep angle of 37.5° for a fast, efficient cruise speed of Mach 0.84 to 0.88, depending on the variant. The sweep also reduces the wingspan, allowing the 747 to use existing hangars. Its seating capacity is over 366 with a 3–4–3 seat arrangement (two aisles with three seats on each side and four seats in the middle) in economy class and a 2–3–2 layout in first class on the main deck. [...] The Boeing 747 is a long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. After the introduction of the 707 in October 1958, Pan Am wanted a jet 2+1⁄2 times its size, to reduce its seat cost by 30%. In 1965, Joe Sutter left the 737 development program to design the 747. In April 1966, Pan Am ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft, and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop the JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan. [...] The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates 366 passengers in three travel classes. It has a pronounced 37.5° wing sweep, allowing a Mach 0.85 (490 kn; 900 km/h) cruise speed, and its heavy weight is supported by four main landing gear legs, each with a four-wheel bogie. The partial double-deck

• BOEING 747 Specifications, Performance, and Range - Globalair.com

  The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial jet airliner and cargo aircraft, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. Its distinctive "hump" upper deck along the forward part of the aircraft makes it among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and it was the first wide-body produced. Manufactured by Boeing's Commercial Airplane unit in the United States, the original version of the 747 had two and a half times greater capacity than the Boeing 707, one of the [...] common large commercial aircraft of the 1960s. First flown commercially in 1970, the 747 held the passenger capacity record for 37 years.The four-engine 747 uses a double deck configuration for part of its length. It is available in passenger, freighter and other versions. Boeing designed the 747's hump-like upper deck to serve as a first class lounge or extra seating, and to allow the aircraft to be easily converted to a cargo carrier by removing seats and installing a front cargo door. Boeing [...] We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. Welcome to GlobalAir.com + Dashboard + FBO Dashboard + Post New Article + Logout) Login Post Your Article # BOEING 747 ## Technical Specifications ### Dimensions Wing Area: 5,500 ft2 (510.95 m2) ### Exterior Exterior Height: 63 ft 5 in Wing Span: 195 ft 8 in Length: 231 ft 10 in ### Interior

• Boeing 747-400 - Wikipedia

  Following its introduction in 1969, the Boeing 747 became a major success with airlines and the flying public. As the world's first wide-body jetliner, the 747 had revolutionized air travel, and cemented its manufacturer's dominance in the passenger aircraft market. In 1980, Boeing announced the 747-300, its latest 747 variant featuring greater passenger capacity. This was made possible by making a stretched upper deck (SUD), previously an option on the 747-200, a standard feature. The SUD was

• The history and demise of the Boeing 747 - Flightworx

  Skip to main content The Boeing 747 has been a revolutionising aircraft for the aviation industry, and long popular with airlines and passengers. Whilst it is still flying, it is undoubtedly on the decline with the last freighter aircraft now built and delivered. This article takes a look at the past 50 years of the 747, and how it changed aviation before its eventual decline. Table of Contents Toggle ### Aviation Guides [...] Development of the 747 began in 1966, with the first aircraft flying in February 1969. The aircraft introduced many new design features. Most obvious was the humped upper deck. This came from an earlier design that Boeing had unsuccessfully proposed for a US military transport aircraft. Interestingly, this iconic short deck was originally intended to be full-length, but Boeing could not make it work under safety and evacuation regulations at the time. [...] Email: info@flightworx.aero Contact Form ## Final Thoughts The Boeing 747 has been a highly successful aircraft for Boeing – and made notable changes to the aviation industry. Just as it has with the 737 series, Boeing has made continual changes and upgrades to keep the 747 on sale for decades. It remains in use, but the focus is well set now on more efficient twin-engine aircraft. ## CONTACT OUR TEAM TODAY

• Boeing 747-121 | The Museum of Flight

  The growing worldwide demand for air travel during the 1960s led Boeing to launch the 747, the first wide-body jet. Developing what was then the world's largest passenger aircraft was a formidable undertaking, requiring the company to risk much of its net worth. But the gamble paid off – over 1,500 units have been produced. With its massive size and signature upper deck "hump," the iconic 747 is one the most recognizable aircraft in the world. It triggered a revolution in air travel and [...] The growing worldwide demand for air travel during the 1960s led Boeing to launch the 747, the first wide-body jet. Developing what was then the world's largest passenger aircraft was a formidable undertaking, requiring the company to risk much of its net worth. But the gamble paid off – over 1,500 units have been produced. With its massive size and signature upper deck "hump," the iconic 747 is one the most recognizable aircraft in the world. It triggered a revolution in air travel and [...] The 747 quickly became a mainstay of the world’s international airlines. Continued development in the ensuing years has increased payload, range, and capability with multiple 747 variants. A freighter model, with a large nose cargo door, allows outsized payloads to be carried. A "Combi" was soon offered to allow simultaneous carriage of passengers and cargo on the main deck. A shortened version (747SP) debuted in 1976, capable of very long range flights. The 747-300 followed in 1982, with an

The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States.After introducing the 707 in October 1958, Pan Am wanted a jet 2+1⁄2 times its size, to reduce its seat cost by 30% to democratize air travel. In 1965, Joe Sutter left the 737 development program to design the 747, the first twin-aisle airliner. In April 1966, Pan Am ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop its JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the world's largest building by volume. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the 747 was certified in December of that year. It entered service with Pan Am on January 22, 1970. The 747 was the first airplane dubbed "Jumbo Jet", the first wide-body airliner. The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates 366 passengers in three travel classes. It has a pronounced 37.5° wing sweep, allowing a Mach 0.85 (490 kn; 900 km/h) cruise speed, and its heavy weight is supported by four main landing gear legs, each with a four-wheel bogie. The partial double-deck aircraft was designed with a raised cockpit so it could be converted to a freighter airplane by installing a front cargo door, as it was initially thought that it would eventually be superseded by supersonic transports. Freighter variants of the 747 remain popular with cargo airlines. Boeing introduced the -200 in 1971, with more powerful engines for a heavier maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 833,000 pounds (378 t) from the initial 735,000 pounds (333 t), increasing the maximum range from 4,620 to 6,560 nautical miles (8,560 to 12,150 km). It was shortened for the longer-range 747SP in 1976, and the 747-300 followed in 1983 with a stretched upper deck for up to 400 seats in three classes. The heavier 747-400 with improved RB211 and CF6 engines or the new PW4000 engine (the JT9D successor), and a two-crew glass cockpit, was introduced in 1989 and is the most common variant. After several studies, the stretched 747-8 was launched on November 14, 2005, with new General Electric GEnx engines, and was first delivered in October 2011. The 747 is the basis for several government and military variants, such as the VC-25 (Air Force One), E-4 Emergency Airborne Command Post, Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, and some experimental testbeds such as the YAL-1 and SOFIA airborne observatory. By October 2022, 1,572 aircraft had been built. Manufacture of the 747 ended in 2022 after a 54-year production run. Initial competition came from the smaller trijet widebodies: the Lockheed L-1011 (introduced in 1972), McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (1971) and later MD-11 (1990). Airbus competed with later variants with the heaviest versions of the A340 until surpassing the 747 in size with the A380, delivered between 2007 and 2021.As of 2020, 61 Boeing 747s have been lost in accidents and incidents, in which a total of 3,722 people have died.