scorecardQantas and British Airways retired their Boeing 747 fleets after 50 years. Here are the jet's 12 coolest features that passengers will miss.
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. Qantas and British Airways retired their Boeing 747 fleets after 50 years. Here are the jet's 12 coolest features that passengers will miss.

Qantas and British Airways retired their Boeing 747 fleets after 50 years. Here are the jet's 12 coolest features that passengers will miss.

Thomas Pallini   

Qantas and British Airways retired their Boeing 747 fleets after 50 years. Here are the jet's 12 coolest features that passengers will miss.
A Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft.James D. Morgan/Getty
  • The Boeing 747 revolutionized air travel when it debuted as the world's largest passenger jet in 1969.
  • The first-of-its-kind shape and design of the plane allowed airlines to get creative, offering luxurious amenities such as onboard bars, restaurants, and lounges.
  • Even to this day, the 747 has unique aspects that no other jet has been able to offer, firmly establishing it as the true Queen of the Skies.

Aviation's love affair with the Boeing 747 has been going strong for over 50 years with the affectionately-nicknamed Queen of the Skies turning heads since its first flight in 1969.

Still Boeing's largest passenger aircraft to this day, the 747 story began with a request from the head of Pan American World Airways, CEO Juan Trippe, for a larger jet than anything currently in production. Airlines had gotten a taste of the jet age with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 and wanted more so they could fly passengers further than ever before.

Fresh from pitching a similarly massive four-engine plane to the US government, Boeing answered the call. Now-famed aerospace engineer Joe Sutter designed the plane, which took its first flight on February 9, 1969 and entered passenger service with Pan Am less than one year later.

Many of the jet's best features came as a result of its massive size and unique design, including the iconic upper deck – known as the hump – that housed the cockpit and a select few passenger seats. But after decades of faithful service, airlines are giving their 747s heartfelt goodbyes and paying homage to the plane that changed aviation forever and advanced the industry further than most planes at the time of its inception.

Take a look at what made the Boeing 747 a true Queen of the Skies.

1. The Boeing 747's iconic hump sets it apart from the rest.

1. The Boeing 747
A Pan Am Boeing 747-100 and 707 aircraft.      AP

The hump housed the cockpit on the upper level so that a nose door could be installed for cargo loading, making the 747 an ideal freighter still utilized by cargo airlines today.

The hump housed the cockpit on the upper level so that a nose door could be installed for cargo loading, making the 747 an ideal freighter still utilized by cargo airlines today.
A Cargolux Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.      Davide Calabresi/Shutterstock.com

The nose door was a rare feature for a jet with few other aircraft offering the feature at the time besides the 747.

The nose door was a rare feature for a jet with few other aircraft offering the feature at the time besides the 747.
A SkyBridgeCargo Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.      vaalaa/Shutterstock.com

Only a handful of types have nose doors even today, including the Antonov An-225 Mriya...

Only a handful of types have nose doors even today, including the Antonov An-225 Mriya...
An Antonov An-225 Mriya.      REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Antonov An-124 Ruslan...

Antonov An-124 Ruslan...
An Antonov An-124 Ruslan.      Marcel Kusch/picture alliance/Getty

And Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

And Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.
A Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.      achinthamb/Shutterstock

2. The excess space of the Jumbo Jet in the hump and the nose allowed airlines to offer onboard luxuries like bars, lounges, and restaurants.

2. The excess space of the Jumbo Jet in the hump and the nose allowed airlines to offer onboard luxuries like bars, lounges, and restaurants.
A lounge onboard a Boeing 747 aircraft.      Hutmacher/ullstein bild/Getty

Most were retired in 1973 when the oil crisis dramatically raised the price of fuel and airlines couldn't spare the extra room. But some airlines, like Virgin Atlantic Airways, brought the bars back to the jet.

Most were retired in 1973 when the oil crisis dramatically raised the price of fuel and airlines couldn
A Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty

Luckily, the 747 has one of the largest passenger cabins of any commercial aircraft, so there was a lot of open space was to fill with seats to increase revenues.

Luckily, the 747 has one of the largest passenger cabins of any commercial aircraft, so there was a lot of open space was to fill with seats to increase revenues.
The economy section on a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i aircraft.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

With no more bars and lounges taking up space, the nose section typically features first or business class seating,

With no more bars and lounges taking up space, the nose section typically features first or business class seating,
The first class section on a Lufthansa Boeing 747 aircraft.      EQRoy/Shutterstock.com

While the hump primarily houses business class seating, depending on the airline, in an exclusive cabin literally above the rest of the passengers on the main deck.

While the hump primarily houses business class seating, depending on the airline, in an exclusive cabin literally above the rest of the passengers on the main deck.
Brostock/Shutterstock.com

3. The normal seating capacity for the largest variant of the 747 is around 375 but the jet can hold over 1,000 people if need be.

3. The normal seating capacity for the largest variant of the 747 is around 375 but the jet can hold over 1,000 people if need be.
A Boeing 747-8i aircraft.      MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty

4. Some airlines used the jet to carry passengers and cargo on the same level.

4. Some airlines used the jet to carry passengers and cargo on the same level.
A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty

Known as Combi aircraft, half of the main deck had passenger seating while the other had a cargo hold where larger containers could be stored. Horses were among the frequent flyers in the cargo hold with flight attendants often letting passengers go back and see the livestock mid-flight.

Known as Combi aircraft, half of the main deck had passenger seating while the other had a cargo hold where larger containers could be stored. Horses were among the frequent flyers in the cargo hold with flight attendants often letting passengers go back and see the livestock mid-flight.
A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Louis Nastro/Reuters

5. The 747's four-engines make it just slightly faster than its competitors.

5. The 747
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Benthemouse / Shutterstock.com

Just before the pandemic hit, a British Airways 747 set a speed record on the New York to London route by making the transatlantic journey in four hours and 56 minutes.

Just before the pandemic hit, a British Airways 747 set a speed record on the New York to London route by making the transatlantic journey in four hours and 56 minutes.
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      REUTERS/Toby Melville

Two twin-engine planes from Virgin Atlantic Airways lost to the 747 by mere minutes.

Two twin-engine planes from Virgin Atlantic Airways lost to the 747 by mere minutes.
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

They were both A350-1000 XWBs; ironically, one of the next-generation jets replacing the 747.

They were both A350-1000 XWBs; ironically, one of the next-generation jets replacing the 747.
A Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 XWB.      Nicolas Economou/Getty Images

The 747 has also helped earn British Airways over $1 billion in revenue on the New York-London from April 2018 to March 2019.

The 747 has also helped earn British Airways over $1 billion in revenue on the New York-London from April 2018 to March 2019.
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

6. Boeing made the Jumbo Jet even larger with the 747 Large Cargo Freighter, also known as the Dreamlifter.

6. Boeing made the Jumbo Jet even larger with the 747 Large Cargo Freighter, also known as the Dreamlifter.
A Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter cargo aircraft.      cpaulfell / Shutterstock.com

The Dreamlifter was purpose-built to fly parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner around the world.

The Dreamlifter was purpose-built to fly parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner around the world.
A Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter cargo aircraft.      Kyodo/Getty

Aircraft parts are loaded through a special hinged tail door.

Aircraft parts are loaded through a special hinged tail door.
A Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter cargo aircraft.      Robert Sorbo/Reuters

Without the plane and its massive cargo cabin, Boeing wouldn't be able to build Dreamliners as quickly as it does today.

Without the plane and its massive cargo cabin, Boeing wouldn
A Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter cargo aircraft.      The Asahi Shimbun via Getty

Ironically, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is similarly replacing the 747 at airlines like Qantas and British Airways as the twin-engine jet can operate more efficiently and fly comparable routes.

Ironically, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is similarly replacing the 747 at airlines like Qantas and British Airways as the twin-engine jet can operate more efficiently and fly comparable routes.
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.      christopheronglv / Shutterstock.com

7. Some passengers sit ahead of the pilots.

7. Some passengers sit ahead of the pilots.
A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i aircraft.      Arne Dedert/picture alliance/Getty

The nose section is located directly below the cockpit with some rows further forward than the cockpit.

The nose section is located directly below the cockpit with some rows further forward than the cockpit.
The first class section on a Lufthansa Boeing 747 aircraft.      EQRoy/Shutterstock.com 1

Sitting in seat 1A is often a bucket list item for aviation enthusiasts.

Sitting in seat 1A is often a bucket list item for aviation enthusiasts.
The first class section on a Lufthansa Boeing 747 aircraft.      Sorbis/Shutterstock.com

Not only is it at the very front of the plane but the seat's occupants can actually see ahead of the plane due to the curvature of the nose.

Not only is it at the very front of the plane but the seat
The first class section on a Lufthansa Boeing 747 aircraft.      Sorbis/Shutterstock.com

So while all the passengers will arrive at their destination airport at the same time, those in 1A will see the runway first.

So while all the passengers will arrive at their destination airport at the same time, those in 1A will see the runway first.
The cockpit view of a departing aircraft.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

8. The 747 comes in fun-size.

8. The 747 comes in fun-size.
A South African Airways Boeing 747SP.      EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

Boeing built the 747SP for Pan Am as the airline desired more range from the iconic aircraft.

Boeing built the 747SP for Pan Am as the airline desired more range from the iconic aircraft.
A Boeing 747SP.      Mo Azizi / Shutterstock.com

Keeping the same number of engines and building a smaller fuselage, Boeing was able to greatly extend the range of the 747, allowing for longer nonstop flights.

Keeping the same number of engines and building a smaller fuselage, Boeing was able to greatly extend the range of the 747, allowing for longer nonstop flights.
A Boeing 747SP.      Philip Pilosian/Shutterstock.com

South African Airways was one of the aircraft's first customers since it needed a long-range plane to skirt the airspace of African countries from which it was banned due to apartheid.

South African Airways was one of the aircraft
A South African Airways Boeing 747SP.      EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

9. It's the largest private jet in the world.

9. It
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

9. It's the largest private jet in the world.

9. It
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The Boeing Business Jet 747-8i is currently the largest private jet in the world acting as a flying palace to the world's elite.

The Boeing Business Jet 747-8i is currently the largest private jet in the world acting as a flying palace to the world
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

It's also one of the most exclusive as it has a $419.2 million price tag just to purchase from Boeing, and that's before any interior design and completion work.

It
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Source: Boeing

The priorities for the wealthy owners are very different from the airlines, with the private jet variant of the jet offering no shortage of luxury in every compartment and no economy class in sight.

The priorities for the wealthy owners are very different from the airlines, with the private jet variant of the jet offering no shortage of luxury in every compartment and no economy class in sight.
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Even the hump had been restored to its former glory as a lounging area.

Even the hump had been restored to its former glory as a lounging area.
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i aircraft.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

10. NASA's Space Shuttle flew on the 747.

10. NASA
A NASA Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.      Reuters

Space Shuttle Endeavour performed a three-day tour of the US strapped to the back of a 747 in 2012 following the end of the Space Shuttle program.

Space Shuttle Endeavour performed a three-day tour of the US strapped to the back of a 747 in 2012 following the end of the Space Shuttle program.
A NASA Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.      Eliyahu Yosef Parypa/Shutterstock.com

The flying duo showcased some of the greatest American feats of aerospace engineering.

The flying duo showcased some of the greatest American feats of aerospace engineering.
A NASA Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.      REUTERS/Ho New

NASA also relies on the 747 for its SOFIA, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, program.

NASA also relies on the 747 for its SOFIA, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, program.
A NASA Boeing 747SP.      Christoph Schmidt/picture alliance/Getty

The jet houses a massive telescope that lets scientists view the solar system from high above the Earth's surface and away from infrared interference.

The jet houses a massive telescope that lets scientists view the solar system from high above the Earth
A NASA Boeing 747SP.      ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty

11. The 747 has outlasted its double-decker competitors, namely the Airbus A380.

11. The 747 has outlasted its double-decker competitors, namely the Airbus A380.
An Airbus A380 aircraft.      REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

Airbus' largest passenger jet took to the skies over 30 years after the 747's first flight and still failed to surpass the American jet in popularity and success.

Airbus
Grounded Air France Airbus A380 aircraft.      Reuters

The final A380 fuselage was just trucked to the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, marking the end stages of the program.

The final A380 fuselage was just trucked to the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, marking the end stages of the program.
An Airbus A380 fuselage.      REMY GABALDA/AFP/Getty

Emirates will receive the last plane, with the Middle Eastern mega airline the only one keeping the program going.

Emirates will receive the last plane, with the Middle Eastern mega airline the only one keeping the program going.
An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft.      Nitis Petcharat / Shutterstock

12. The most iconic Boeing 747 is flown by the president of the United States.

12. The most iconic Boeing 747 is flown by the president of the United States.
Air Force One.      1000 Words/Shutterstock

The US Air Force has two of the VC-25A aircraft, the codename for the service branch's 747s, that solely fly the president and his staff.

The US Air Force has two of the VC-25A aircraft, the codename for the service branch
Air Force One.      Joe Raedle/ Getty

The current planes are based on the aging Boeing 747-200 airliner, which most airlines have retired.

The current planes are based on the aging Boeing 747-200 airliner, which most airlines have retired.
Air Force One.      Carsten Koall/Getty

It's the most recognizable plane in the world and arguably America's greatest aerial ambassador.

It
Air Force One.      Chris Graythen/Getty

The Air Force will soon be upgrading the jets to two Boeing 747-8i aircraft, known in the branch as VC-25Bs.

The Air Force will soon be upgrading the jets to two Boeing 747-8i aircraft, known in the branch as VC-25Bs.
A model of the future Air Force One.      BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Getty

Though President Donald Trump has changed the paint scheme.

Though President Donald Trump has changed the paint scheme.
A model of the future Air Force One.      Alex Wong/Getty

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

BI Home Icon

Next Story

THE STYLE SERIES: How a fashion school dropout broke into the industry with a…

Popular Right Now

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Advertisement