Boeing Takes Delivery of 747 Aircraft

Boeing Delivers ‘End of Era’ 747 Airplane to Atlas

… Says Goodbye to Queen of the Skies 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Boeing Company, an American multinational corporation has delivered the final widebodied 747 model aircraft to Atlas Air bringing to a close more than a half century of production. 

The company which designs, manufactures and sells airplanes, telecommunications equipment worldwide, celebrated the delivery of the historic plane that brought air travel to the world, with thousands of its employees and the so called ‘incredibles’ who developed the jet in the 1960s. 

It was a monumental day for the ‘incredibles’ as they returned to be honored at the Everett factory where the journey of the 747 aircraft began in 1967. The factory produced 1,574 airplanes over the life of the program. 

Aircraft 747 is an airplane that shrank the world and revolutionized travel and air cargo with its first widebody, just as described by David Calhoun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, "It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the 'Queen' will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo." 

Known as the "Queen of the Skies," the 747 was the world's first twin-aisle jetliner, which Boeing designed and built in 28 months. 

Overwhelmed with the delivery, John Dietrich, president and chief executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, said, his company is honored to continue the long history of flying the iconic aircraft for its customers around the world. 

"Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single ‪747-200‬ converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. 

“We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come." 

“Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single ‪747-200‬ converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. 

We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come." 

The first twin-aisle airplane and "jumbo jet," the "Queen of the Skies" enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. Its development solidified Boeing's role as an industry leader in commercial aviation.

The airplane's core design with its distinctive hump and seating in the upper deck has delighted generations of passengers and operators alike. 

Boeing continued to improve on the original design with models like the ‪747-400‬ in 1988 and the final 747-8 model that was launched in 2005; across all the models, the jet has delivered unmatched operating economics and efficiency to travel and air cargo markets. 

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.