Commercial

Boeing 747

Manufacturer: Boeing

The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner and freighter developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Recognizable by its forward upper deck, it was the first wide-body airliner and became widely known as the Jumbo Jet.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
boeing-747
Class
Commercial
Registry Count
191
Example Registration
D-ABTK

Specifications

Wingspan
59.6 m / 195.67 ft
Length
68.6 m / 225.17 ft
Height
19.6 m / 64.25 ft
Range
12150 km / 6560 nmi
First Flight
1969-02-09
Production Start
1968
Production End
2023
Total Built
1574

Aircraft Overview

History

Boeing developed the 747 after Pan Am sought an airliner substantially larger than the 707. The prototype first flew on 9 February 1969, and Pan Am introduced the type in January 1970. Production continued through the 747-8 and ended in 2023 after 1,574 aircraft had been built.

Design

The 747 uses a four-engine, low-wing layout with a distinctive partial upper deck above the forward fuselage. Placing the flight deck above the main deck made a hinged nose cargo door possible, a feature used by dedicated freighters.

Variants

Major versions include the original 747-100, longer-range 747-200, shortened 747SP, high-capacity 747-300, extensively updated 747-400, and the final 747-8. Dedicated and convertible freighter variants were produced alongside passenger aircraft.

Operations

The 747 served long-haul passenger networks and high-volume freight routes worldwide. Later twin-engine wide-bodies reduced demand for four-engine passenger aircraft, while 747 freighters continued to be important because of their payload, range, and nose-loading capability.

Notable Facts

  • The Boeing 747 first flew on 9 February 1969.
  • Pan Am introduced the type into service in January 1970.
  • The 747 was the first wide-body airliner.
  • A total of 1,574 Boeing 747s were built.
  • The 747 has four engines.

Variants

  • 747-8F- 33 registrations - Example N605UP
  • 747-47UF- 15 registrations - Example N258SN
  • 747-4B5F- 11 registrations - Example N445MC
  • 747-87UF- 11 registrations - Example N634UP
  • 747-446- 10 registrations - Example N344KD
  • 747-422- 8 registrations - Example N120UA
  • 747-44AF- 7 registrations - Example N570UP
  • 747-412- 5 registrations - Example N471MC
  • 747-46NF- 5 registrations - Example N450PA
  • 747-4B5- 5 registrations - Example N707CK
  • 747-400F- 4 registrations - Example N404KZ
  • 747-409- 4 registrations - Example N249BA
  • 747-45E- 4 registrations - Example N472MC
  • 747-4R7F- 4 registrations - Example N581UP
  • 747-8B5- 4 registrations - Example N747EF
  • 747-409F- 3 registrations - Example N438GT
  • 747-428F- 3 registrations - Example N580UP
  • 747-45EF- 3 registrations - Example N485MC
  • 747-481- 3 registrations - Example N263SG
  • 747-481F- 3 registrations - Example N766CK
  • 747-4H6- 3 registrations - Example N718BA
  • 747-83QF- 3 registrations - Example N864GT
  • 747-123- 2 registrations - Example N858FT
  • 747-251F- 2 registrations - Example N617US
  • 747-428- 2 registrations - Example N919CA
  • 747-438- 2 registrations - Example N329ZA
  • 747-443- 2 registrations - Example N481MC
  • 747-48E- 2 registrations - Example N28551
  • 747-4H6F- 2 registrations - Example N430GT
  • 747-4KZF- 2 registrations - Example N407KZ

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources