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End of an era: Boeing just finished building the final 747
David Slotnick
Contributing aviation editor
David Slotnick is TPG's contributing aviation editor. He covers the ins and outs of the airline industry.
Dec. 07, 2022
•
4 min read
End of an era: Boeing just finished building the final 747
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The Wright brothers' first flight. The first transatlantic trip. The invention of the jet engine. The introduction of the Boeing 747.
Few moments in commercial aviation history have had as big an impact as Boeing's jumbo jet: It first flew in 1969 and entered service a year later with the now-inoperative U.S. carrier Pan Am. The first wide-body passenger plane and a defining icon of the golden age of travel, the double-decker unlocked routes, continents and new economics for the airline industry; it also allowed carriers to introduce unparalleled levels of luxury.
After more than 50 years, the "queen of the skies" has reached the end of its reign. Boeing this week rolled the final double-decker out of its assembly hanger in Everett, Washington, closing a production line that has been at work since 1967.
The plane, a 747-8 Freighter with the tail number N863GT, is Boeing's 1,574th 747, and it will be delivered to cargo airline Atlas Air in early 2023. Atlas Air received the second-to-last 747 in October, too — tail number N861GT. TPG had a chance to see that airframe on the assembly line in June during a tour of Boeing facilities.
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Boeing's second-to-last 747 on the assembly line in Everett, Washington, in June 2022. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
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"For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world," Kim Smith, Boeing's vice president and general manager of the 747 and 767 programs, said in a statement.
"We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," Smith added.
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While the 747 continues to be optimal for freight carriers, its utility for passenger airlines has diminished recently. With four engines, the plane is more expensive to operate than twin-engine planes like Boeing's 777 or 787. For this reason, many airlines retired their 747 fleets during the 2010s and 2020s, with some plans accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines both retired their 747s in 2017.
Boeing's last passenger 747 was delivered to Korean Air in 2017. Lufthansa, Korean Air and Air China still fly passenger versions of the jets.
Two military variants of the 747-200 — the VC-25A — serve as Air Force One. Two replacement VC-25Bs, based on the 747-8, have been constructed and are expected to be delivered to the U.S. government around 2026 or 2027.
The 747-8 — at 250 feet and 2 inches — is the longest commercial airplane in service. The Freighter has a cargo payload of 133.1 tons, Boeing says — enough to carry 10,699 solid gold bars or, if someone is so inclined, about 19 million golf balls.
Featured image by PAUL WEATHERMAN/BOEING
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.