After the Airbus A380, the Boeing 747 takes its turn

This is a part of history that is coming to an end. On Tuesday, January 31, Boeing will take delivery of the last copy of its legendary 747. A little history will remind you that it is the American company Atlas Air, which will receive deliveries to Seattle (Washington State) from 1574.^e The ultimate example of a long-range jumbo jet; A cargo version, like most 747s that have rolled off the line in recent years. For the occasion, Boeing held a ceremony at its plant in Everett, a large suburb of Seattle; The site was built in 1969 precisely to produce the famous jumbo jet, then its successors, the 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

A true tribute to this aircraft that has done so much for the glory of the American aircraft manufacturer. Registered N863GT, the newest 747, is also decorated with a portrait of Joe Sutter, considered the father of the airplane. Former and current employees were invited to this reception. Note that many of them, retired or still active, spent their entire careers on the 747.

Launched in 1969, the 747 took to the skies precisely with the democratization of leisure, the beginnings of mass tourism. With its impressive wings and two decks, its ever-so-recognizable hump, the 747 was king of the sky back then.

In the imagination of passengers, the plane is closely associated with Pan Am, the company that launched the plane, and the inimitable peacock blue uniforms of its flight attendants. It seemed that only the plane justified the famous advertising slogan: “If there is no Boeing, I will not go!” » (“If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going!” ») which was not yet created for him. A time when Boeing had no real competitors other than the Americans.

Switch between easyJet and low cost

It was not until the end of 1970 that EADS, later renamed Airbus, was baptized. The long-time rival of the American, Franco-European group also wanted its iconic long-distance travel. It was the A380, another giant of the air, which in turn has become the favorite aircraft of passengers around the world. It’s no coincidence that the two jumbo jets bowed out a few years apart. Due to the lack of enough customers, Tom Enders, the head of Airbus at the time, decided to stop production of his long-haul jumbo jet and the last A380 rolled off the assembly lines in 2021.

The 747 saga also reflects a time when long-haul was a key segment for both aircraft manufacturers and airlines. The most profitable sector in a long time. Boeing made the most money with its jumbo jet and its successors. It is business and the first class that companies have long increased their margins. The golden age is already over.