John Travolta, entertainer and pilot for Qantas Airlines, shared his experience learning to fly the 747, noting that it made learning to fly the Boeing 737 “a breeze.” Then, there’s how comfortable it was to ride in the passenger compartment, which was described as “being in your living room with 360 or so of your closest friends.” Ī host of dignitaries from Boeing and the airlines that fly the 747 as part of their fleet shared stories about the iconic airplane, including what it was like to set eyes on it for the first time in the factory, how impressive it was when you walked up to it, and the sense of awe when you realized that this engineering marvel had been created by some of the finest minds in aviation. The first 747 rolls out of the Everett factory on September 30, 1968. “The new factory involved clearing some 788 acres of forest land and moving 4 million yards of dirt,” said Deal, noting that the first 747 was built while the factory was built around it. A parcel of land next to what is now known as Snohomish County Airport/Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett was selected, located approximately 23 nm from Boeing Field. The facilities at King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI) where the Boeing B-17 was built and the factory at Renton Municipal Airport (KRNT) where the 707 went together were not large enough to accommodate the jumbo jet with its four engines and the fuselage wide enough to hold two aisles.Ī new factory had to be built. Part of the challenge, said Deal, was that the aircraft was so large-the cockpit was 30 feet in the air-that it needed a new factory. They were led by Boeing engineer Joe Sutter, who is recognized as “the founding father of the Boeing 747.” The Incrediblesĭeal thanked “The Incredibles”-the people who built the first Boeing 747 in a mere 16 months. “Bill Allen and Juan Trippe were in a mockup of the 747 cockpit and Bill Allen said to Juan, ‘If you buy it, I’ll build it.’ And Juan Trippe said to Bill, ‘If you build it, I’ll buy it.'” Deal said. Trippe was looking for an aircraft with greater range than the Boeing 707. ngkPWwCTXL- Boeing Airplanes January 31, 2023Īccording to Deal, the jet age had begun and people were traveling. Here is a look at how we put together the final #QueenOfTheSkies. Deal recalled a pivotal meeting between Bill Allen, Boeing’s longest serving president, and Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American World Airways. The farewell presentation was led by Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The final delivery began with a procession of flags bearing the livery of the airlines-past and present-that fly 747s, which was recognized as one of the most versatile airframes ever to be built. READ MORE: Last ‘Queen of the Skies’ Rolls Off Line at Boeing.The ceremony, which was live streamed, was also witnessed by thousands of viewers online. The event was held at the factory in Everett, Washington, where the final 747 was delivered to Atlas Air-with an audience of thousands made up of Boeing employees, former employees, customers, and suppliers looking on.
The final delivery event featured guest speakers, live music, and videos honoring the legacy of Boeing ( NYSE: BA) and the closing of a chapter of the aerospace giant’s legacy. The iconic jumbo jet was given a celebrity send off Tuesday, with the kind of fanfare worthy of a Hollywood awards show. The last Boeing 747, the “Queen of the Skies,” has left the building.
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