More than two dozen airlines have committed to buying the 747 when it be shown to the public for the first time. In 1970, the 747 made its first commercial flight, carrying more than 300 Pan Am passengers to London from New York.
It became an instant public sensation. This four-engine plane is much larger than any other and can carry hundreds of people in rows of up to 10 seats. Upstairs, accessible via a spiral staircase, there is a luxurious lounge. American Airlines installed a piano bar in the main cabin.
Orders began pouring in, bringing much-needed revenue to Boeing. Owning a 747 has become a status symbol for airlines. Several companies purchased the plane even though it did not fully suit their needs.
The most important reason why airlines buy planes is that the 747 helps them cut costs. Because planes can carry more passengers on a single trip, airlines can sell tickets cheaper, making air travel affordable for the masses.
Boeing produced several versions of the plane in the 1970s and 1980s for different uses and to improve the mass it could carry and the distance it could fly. In 1989, the company announced a major upgrade, the 747-400, which became the best-selling model. Boeing sold more 747s in the 1990s than in any other decade.
But when airplanes became popular, the world started moving.
Smaller, more efficient twin-engine planes can now fly longer distances. Their smaller size means that airlines can offer direct international routes between smaller cities, such as St. Louis and Frankfurt.
In the mid-90s, Boeing also introduced the 777, which was as big as the 747. With just two engines, it was more advanced and efficient. A decade later, Boeing’s main rival, Airbus, launched the A380, which could carry more passengers than the 747. But Airbus struggled to sell the plane and announced the end of production in 2019.
