The end of an era.

[TeePee]

The last Boeing 747 to be built rolled off the line, after more than 50 years of production

The first and, arguably, the last Jumbo Jet.

https://interestingengineering.com/t...bye-boeing-747

Tooling was destroyed as it moved through, so that they can never build another.

Many airlines have retired their 747s, and many more remain parked in storage at airports around the World thanks to the travel restrictions over the last few years. Your best choice if you want to fly in one is probably Lufthansa.

[[GSV]Trig]

Never actually been on one, not sure I ever will tbh as most airlines tend to go for the twin engine wide stuff these days rather than stacking people, unless you're Emirates and like planes that'll carry 3 classes...

I wonder what the USAF will do for Airforce one, perhaps they have additional airframes?

[badass]

I was more sad over the A380 being a complete flop TBH. My experience of being in 747's are where Airlines were sweating their assets - e.g. BA with their crap interiors, rubbish service and complete unreliability (all due to age and cheaping out on maintenance and updates). As the A380's were much newer craft they were much nicer inside and I never had a flight delayed for engineering reasons.

[Jonj1611]

Went on one in the early 90's to Florida.

Shame they destroyed the tooling, hope they don't find any issues.

Hey Jim, we have found a safety critical problem on part x7x73jcx332p. Can you get the machine shop to send over a new part.

Errrrrrr

[AGTDenton]

There's no denying the 747 is a good looking plane. The one that will always stand out for me is AA's iconic livery!


My most recent flight was on a Dreamliner and thought it was very good. First time I'd been on a plane since early 00s and didn't experience any ear problems. They've managed to improve the pressure immensely that flying is now more pleasurable, I didn't need to bother with all the gum I bought in duty free. Previously on all flights my ears would be blocked for weeks after.

I was more sad over the A380 being a complete flop TBH. My experience of being in 747's are where Airlines were sweating their assets - e.g. BA with their crap interiors, rubbish service and complete unreliability (all due to age and cheaping out on maintenance and updates). As the A380's were much newer craft they were much nicer inside and I never had a flight delayed for engineering reasons.

This surprised me especially after a number of airports had to be ugpraded to take them. But it seems smaller is the new direction to go in.

[[GSV]Trig]

I love the A380, did HK to Dubai on one a few years back, I was not expecting to walk towards the back of the plane and find a bar when I was trying to go to the toilet..

[TeePee]

Interior fit out is very dependent on the airline. There are many -400's and some A380's parked at airports around the world, mostly thanks to travel restrictions.











The Queen is probably the smoothest and most comfortable airplane to fly in as a passenger, with the A380 definitely also up there.

Airlines are moving towards twins for better fuel efficiency. The difference is huge, but not as big as you'd think. The 747 has power to spare, which means it can climb up to altitude a lot faster. Airliners don't typically climb out to a cruise altitude and then come down again, but are limited to an altitude by weight, and then climb higher as fuel is burned and they are able to go higher. The 747 typically gets to those altitudes and gets higher a lot faster than, say, a 777, and of course those higher altitudes are more fuel efficient and smoother. The Queen is also really fast. .92 vs .89 for the Triple, with a typical cruise of .87 vs .84. The 777X is likely to be a significant improvement on efficiency, and should be a very enjoyable airplane to fly in.

The 787's pressurization system is really good, and not just because of the higher cabin differential. It uses electric compressors just for cabin air, which is far better than using engine bleed air. This also helps efficiency!