The Boeing Story Part IV

Commercial air travel saw a massive boom in the 1960's, creating a need for an airliner that could travel further, faster and carry more people. The Boeing Company, of Seattle, Washington, saw this need, and after their previous successful airliners, decided to develop the largest airliner at the time. After initially being designed as a possible military transport, Boeing announced their plans to create the 747, the largest airliner built, until eclipsed recently by the Airbus A380.

When originally designed in 1965, Boeing wanted to build a large airliner capable of seating at least eight abrest, the world's first wide body jet. In the 1960's Boeing envisioned developing a supersonic airliner after the 747, thus creating the hump on top of the plane, allowing use as a cargo aircraft, when the 747 became obsolete. At 195 feet long the 747-100 was be able to hold 366 passengers in a three class configuration or up to 550 passengers maximum and able to fly 4,500 miles at a top speed of 555 miles per hour. This new plane was first ordered by the legendary airline, Pan American Airways. Pan American's first 747 occurred on January 22, 1970 from New York to London. Various different models were produced for differing airline needs, including a short range version for use in domestic operations across Japan, to a model which had even more range, able to fly almost anywhere in the world. A Pan Am 747-100, Clipper Maid of the Seas, was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270 people.

This first model of 747 was later augmented by two other models which shared sizes, but had various improvements. The 747-200 featured new engines, allowing for more range with lower fuel consumption. A combination model was made, able to carry a few hundred passengers, as well as a significant amount of cargo, and an entirely cargo model was made, which is still flown by cargo operators across the world today. The 747-300 featured the same improvements of the 747-200 but enlarged the upper deck, allowing for more passengers seating.

Developed in the mid-1980's the Boeing 747-400 was the first drastic modification to the original 747 design. It featured new wings, which allowed for longer range flights, as well as a new cockpit, removing the need for three pilots, lowering operating costs. Northwest Airlines operated the first 747-400 flight in 1989 from Minneapolis to Phoenix. This new aircraft has a range of up to 10,000 miles. This allows for non-stop flights to anywhere in the world from any location with 416 passengers in a three class configuration.

The 747-800 Intercontinental, the newest 747, is currently in development. It will be lengthened from the 747-400, and will be able to carry 467 passengers in a three class configuration. The 747-800 will be able to fly well over 8,000 miles. Boeing suggested using the wasted space above the current ceiling of aircraft by placing bed like suits for use by high paying customers, offering more comfort on long range flights. At the current time, the only two passenger airline orders from this new plane are Lufthansa and Korean Air.

Remember, next time you visit the airport, look for the aircraft with a hump on it. The Boeing 747 family has carried over 3.5 billion people in the last 35 years, more than half of the total population of the globe. 747's have flown enough miles to fly back and forth to the moon more than 70,000 times. And every time the Space Shuttle is flown across the country is done so on a 747. The 747 is a living legend, and it will live on for years to come.