The Boeing 747-300 is a stretched version of the 747-200, introduced in 1983. With a longer fuselage, the 747-300 was designed to carry more passengers over longer distances, making it an ideal choice for high-capacity, long-haul routes. This variant retained the signature humpbacked design of the 747 family, with increased length and improved aerodynamics for better fuel efficiency and performance.

The 747-300 served many airlines throughout its career, offering a flexible solution for carriers seeking to accommodate growing demand on popular international routes. It also became a popular option for cargo operators, with many converted into freighters due to the model's ample capacity.

Key Specifications (747-300)

• Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 flight engineer).
• Capacity: Typically 500–600 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): 800,000 kg (1,764,000 lb).
• Engines: 4 × Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7J turbofans or Rolls-Royce RB211-524 turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85 (~907 km/h or 564 mph).
• Range: ~7,370 km (4,580 mi).
• Ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m).

Notable Features

• Stretched Fuselage: The 747-300’s extended fuselage allows for additional seating capacity, making it suitable for high-demand routes.
• Enhanced Aerodynamics: Improvements to the design and aerodynamics led to better fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs compared to the 747-200.
• Cargo Conversion: Like other 747 variants, the 747-300 was also converted into freighters for various cargo carriers, taking advantage of its large capacity.
• Wide-Body Design: The aircraft retained the classic two-aisle design of the 747 family, providing ample space and comfort for passengers.
• Passenger Capacity: The 747-300 could carry between 500 and 600 passengers, offering a range of seating configurations from all-economy to two-class layouts.

Operators & Usage

• The 747-300 was used by airlines such as KLM, Swissair, and Qantas for long-haul international flights, with many carriers using the aircraft on routes between Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
• A total of 81 747-300s were built, with a significant portion serving as freighters after their passenger service was retired.
• Today, a few 747-300s remain in service with cargo operators, but most have been retired in favor of more efficient models like the 747-400 or Boeing 777.