The Boeing 747, often referred to as the "Jumbo Jet," is a wide-body, long-range airliner that revolutionized air travel by enabling mass transcontinental and intercontinental flights at lower costs. First introduced in 1970, the 747 became the first wide-body aircraft, featuring a distinctive hump on its upper deck and a capacity that could carry a significantly larger number of passengers compared to previous models. Known for its incredible range and large payload capacity, the 747 was developed to cater to the growing demand for long-distance flights, especially between major international hubs.

The 747 has gone through several variants, each offering improvements in efficiency, range, and payload capacity. It has served as a cargo freighter, a passenger airliner, and even as a platform for space exploration with the 747 Shuttle Carrier. The Boeing 747 was the first aircraft to successfully combine size, range, and speed at such a large scale, cementing its place as an icon in the aviation industry.

Key Specifications (747-100)

• Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 flight engineer).
• Capacity: Typically 366–490 passengers, depending on configuration.
• Length: 70.66 m (231 ft 2 in).
• Wingspan: 64.44 m (211 ft 5 in).
• Height: 19.35 m (63 ft 6 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 735,000 kg (1,629,000 lb).
• Engines: 4 × Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 turbofans or Rolls-Royce RB211-524 turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85 (~907 km/h or 564 mph).
• Range: ~7,260 km (4,510 mi).
• Ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m).

Notable Features

• First wide-body aircraft, introducing a revolutionary twin-aisle design with an upper deck for additional capacity.
• Distinctive humpback design housing additional seating or cargo space in the upper deck.
• Capable of operating on long-haul routes, ideal for high-density, high-demand routes like transatlantic and transpacific flights.
• High payload capacity, with the 747-100 model able to carry up to 490 passengers or significant amounts of cargo.
• Introduced advanced avionics and systems for improved flight management and efficiency compared to previous long-range aircraft.

Variants

• 747-100 – The original model, with seating for up to 490 passengers and a range of around 7,260 km (4,510 mi).
• 747-200 – A more powerful variant with improved range and higher MTOW compared to the -100.
• 747-300 – A stretched version of the -200, featuring more seating capacity and a greater wingspan for improved lift.
• 747-400 – The most successful and widely used variant, featuring newer engines, updated avionics, and improved fuel efficiency.
• 747-8 – The latest and largest variant, featuring new engines, a stretched fuselage, and higher efficiency, making it the longest passenger aircraft in service.

Operators & Usage

• Used extensively by major airlines for long-haul international flights, including carriers like Pan Am, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
• Still in service with a few airlines on select long-range routes.
• Frequently converted into cargo aircraft, with Boeing offering freighter versions of the 747.
• Also used by NASA as a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft for transporting the Space Shuttle.