After Airbus A380, Boeing 747 in turn derives its

The last copy of the legendary device of the American aircraft manufacturer, launched in 1969, will be delivered, Tuesday, January 31.

It’s a story that ends. Tuesday January 31, Boeing will deliver the last copy of its legendary 747. The little story will remember that it is the American company Atlas Air which will take delivery to Seattle (Washington State) of 1 574 Long-haul Gros-Driveur; A cargo version, like the majority of the 747 out of the channels in recent years. For the occasion, Boeing organized a ceremony in its Everett factory, in the large suburbs of Seattle; A site built in 1969 precisely to produce the famous jumbo-jet then its successors, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

A real tribute to this plane which did a lot for the reputation of the American aircraft manufacturer. Registered N863GT, the latest 747 is also adorned with the portrait of Joe Sutter, considered the father of the plane. For this reception, the old and current employees have been invited. Note that many of them, retired or active, have done all their careers on the 747.

Launched in 1969, the 747 arrived in the heavens right to accompany the democratization of leisure, the beginnings of mass tourism. With its imposing scope and two bridges, its recognizable bump, the 747 was then the king of heaven.

In the imagination of the passengers, the plane remains intimately linked to the PAN AM, the launch company of the device, and to the inimitable peacock blue uniform of its air hostesses. The plane alone seemed to justify the famous advertising slogan: “If it’s not Boeing, I’m not Going!” (“If it’s not a Boeing, I’m not going!”) had not been created for him, however. A time when Boeing had no real competitors other than Americans.

The Easyjet and low cost tilt

It was not until the end of 1970 that EADS, later renamed Airbus, was worn on the baptismal font. For a long time Challenger of the American, the Franco-European group wanted to have its emblematic long-haul too. It was the A380, another giant of the tunes, in turn become the favorite plane of passengers around the world. It is not a coincidence, if the two Jumbo-Jets have bowed out a few years apart. In the absence of a fairly numerous customers, Tom Enders, then Airbus boss, decided to stop the production of his long-haul groter, and the last A380 came out of the assembly channels in 2021.

The epic of 747 also illustrates the time when long-haul was the king segment of aircraft manufacturers as airlines. The most remunerative sector. Boeing was earning the most money with his big driver and successors. It was with the business classes and the first that the companies have long swelled their margins. A golden age today over.

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