Boeing Waves Goodbye To The 747 As Last Airplane Leaves Its Factory

As the world’s first twin-aisle airplane, the Boeing 747 has graced our skies for the better half of the century. Now, the time has come for the firm to bid goodbye to one of its most iconic productions, as the very last aircraft rolls off its line. 

According to the company, since the airplane first took off in 1967, “tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world.” 

While the very last 747 may have just been produced, it won’t be disappearing from global airspaces anytime soon, as Boeing Vice President Kim Smith says the firm is “proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come.” 

During the 54 years of the aircraft, a total of 1,574 airplanes were built, each a marvel in its own right. In fact, measuring 250 ft 2 in, the 747-8 is still the longest commercial airplane in service, with the ability to travel the length of three football fields per second. 

The final model, a 747-8 Freighter wrapped in green protective film, boasts extraordinary strength too, with the company claiming it has a revenue payload of 133.1 tonnes, or the equivalent of 10,699 solid-gold bars or 19 million ping-pong balls—whichever comes in more handy. 

British Airways CEO Sean Doyle called the 747 “a great plane” at an event last week, as quoted by Interesting Engineering. He said that while the industry will look back on the aircraft fondly, the future holds the promise of more modern airplanes, with “more efficiency, more sustainable solutions.” 

Going forward, Boeing says it plans to lead with a focus on building more sustainable airplanes, “cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality, and integrity.” 

[via Interesting Engineering and Boeing Company, images via Boeing Company]