Todos
← Back to Squawk list
End of an era: Boeing 747 takes its last commercial flight in the US
Atlanta - The Boeing 747, the world's first jumbo jet and the most recognizable passenger aircraft will pass into aviation history this week. After 50 years after of its debut, the 747 will make its final commercial flight on Tuesday, December 19 with Delta Air Lines from Seoul to Detroit. (airlinerwatch.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
747s have CHARACTER. Most other airliners are boring lookalike twinjets. Efficient and reliable, for sure, but with the aesthetics of a dishwasher.
a lot of people don't remember that the airliner version of those large airplanes was in response to the fact the US outlawed the SST in for domestic travel. the big plan was faster not more.
Still prefer a DC-10!
So sorry to see service end. I was on board the AA inaugural flight from JFK to SFO in first class. What a ride upstairs in the piano bar. Just a little different from today, huh?
After 20 years flying the "whale" (-100,-200,-300) I say it was the best aircraft ever built. Rugged, efficient, easy to fly, it always got me home thru thick and thin in all kinds of weather around the globe. Way ahead of its time. Now, the next generation B747-8F freighter is taking to the skies and will be around for at least another 30 years.
First time was a Northwest Orient military charter from St. Louis to Osan AFB via Oakland & Yokota AFB. OAK to Yokota was a 12+ hour flight w/500 other soldiers & dependants. Next was while on leave from Korea, flying into Bangkok then to the old Kai Tek airport on a Thai International dipping the right wing @ the hard right turn @ the "Checkerboard". Looked out the window into someone's apartment while they were watching their TV. Next was another Northwest 747 leaving Korea to Seattle on my way home for 30 days leave. Last was a redeployment from Saudi Arabia in July 1991 after Desert Storm/Desert Shield on a FedEx ex-Flying Tiger 747 from Dharhan to Philadelphia via Frankfurt