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Two years ago I flew in the hump of a Lufthansa 747-8i, it was the first row in business class. A dream come true experience as an aviation enthusiast !!

The evolution of the queen’s crown

The last time I flew on a 747, I flew upstairs in the hump in the first row on AF. The view outside was awesome, and it felt pretty exclusive being upstairs - even though it was just economy class...

Video is two days early - needed to come out on a Wednesday - "hump day"

I flew on a 747 in 1978 from SFO to HNL to GUM to OKA to TPE. Because of a blizzard on the East Coast of the U.S. many passengers connecting in SFO missed the flight. My girlfriend and I were the only passengers in the Economy Class cabin located directly behind the First Class cabin(Business Class cabin nowadays). When we stopped at Naha, Okinawa the flight attendant asked us if we wanted to check out the First Class lounge on the upper deck. It was set up as a dining room for the FC passengers. They could reserve a table for meals up there if they didn't want to eat at their seats. It was rather small but felt quite intimate and exclusive. That flight was my first trans-Pacific flight and was undoubtedly the best flight of my life. Having an entire cabin to ourselves was incredible. We slept in the middle rows, 4 across seating. By putting up the armrests it was like a bed. There was only one couple in First Class and the lady came back to our cabin to stretch out. This was in the days before sleeper seats in FC. All they had were nice recliners. Reminiscing about that flight makes me realize how lucky we were to have had that experience. Of course back then PanAm had superb cabin service even in Economy Class and by being the only passengers in our cabin we had unbelievably attentive service. I miss PanAm, I miss the days of having an enjoyable flight with plenty of room, I miss having decent food and snacks on board, I miss not having the hassle of security, I miss flight attendants who loved their jobs and wanted to make each passenger have an enjoyable flight. Well, I guess it's back to the reality of 2020 but this was a fun trip down memory lane. R.I.P. 747. ❤🛫🙏🌎

I traveled in the hump of the 747-8 last fall on Lufthansa. Fantastic place to be, away from the crowd so to speak.

I was invited by the captain of a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 to come sit upstairs for landing into Johannesburg from London. When boarding, I had asked the flight pursar to visit the flight deck after we landed. She took my seat number. The next morning as we began our descent into JoBurg, a fliggt attendant came over and said the captain is inviting you upstairs & after landing I could then visit. That was the last time I flew in a 747 as well.

Going in the hump with Lufthansa next April, never been more excited for a flight!

"What hump?"- Igor, Young Frankenstein.

I used to love sitting upstairs in the hump - once as a business class pax and often as a self-paying economy pax. For a greater part of the 1990s (particularly the first half) BA used to place a part of its economy class seats upstairs. This was truly a treat for several reasons. Although the space had relatively few passengers, it offered the perk of having had a dedicated cabin crew member for it. This gave passengers a sense of service exclusivity - not much different than in business class. I particularly liked the stowage bins. They were placed between the window seat and window - like a, sideboard. Not only was the bin a convenient repository, accessible while seated - [particularly if you were sitting at the window, which I always used to do - it also served as a perfect credenza and leg rest. Working was made easy because the top of the sideboard offered extra surface space. Also, I could make myself quite comfortable by stretching out my legs upon it - and NOT to the dismay of the pax in front of me who was undoubtedly [going to be] doing the same thing. Since access to the cockpit was through the upper deck, it was not unusual for pilots take their stretching-out breaks upstairs and, thus, engage with the passengers there. This close/more intimate contact with passengers made it quite usual for upper deck passengers, such as myself, to be invited into the cockpit - sometimes even to take part in landings and take-offs. This was before 9-11. I admit, I enjoyed flying business class - even on BA. But BA's upstairs economy seats ("premium economy" seating did NOT exist at the time) was a perk I enjoyed to take advantage of - which I did often. At some point, someone at BA Hq got wind of the comfortable upstairs environment. Upper deck economy was eventually replaced with business class. I was truly disappointed when this happened since I only flew business class for work - when others were paying. My personal frequent flying saw me paying and, eventually, I would be relegated into the lower deck cattle-bin. Needless to say I wasn't happy when this happened.

always excited for more boeing 747 related videos! keep them coming!

I’ve been in the hump of a BA 747 in Business Class. It’s one of my favorite layouts - the 747 just has so much space on the sides for storage and maintains a great balance between being cozy but also feeling relatively spacious. I don’t know they did it 😂😂

Simple flying never fails

I flew on a 747 while in the Army from Miami to LA in 1972. There was only about 20 passengers on the whole plane so I had free run of main deck and the hump deck. I sat toward the rear of the plane and the head stewardess came and sat a few rows behind me. We had a good conversation about the features of the plane.

My father was one of Pan Am's delivery acceptance team as a maintenance Supervisor and Zone Manager at JFK. I was born just after the delivery of the first aircraft to Pan Am, and as a Pan Am Brat, I flew in the hump several times.

My grandma has been travelled in the humb, she said it is very comfortable

Who loves every plane ever built?!! I do! Especially the 747 and the A380! 😄😅

In 1977 I flew in the hump of a Qantas 747 from Sydney to Bahrain when there was a spiral staircase and the hump was a lounge. It was a marvellous experience… very luxurious indeed. In 2005 I again flew in the hump of a Qantas 747 as a Business Class passenger from Singapore to London, and in 2006 the same from New York to Los Angeles… very comfortable!

Great summary of the evolution of the 747 ‘hump’. As child my father worked Braniff International and gave me a model of a 747-100 in two liveries that they ordered at the time. We traveled in First Class in the original plan configuration on a flight from Dallas to Hawaii and I remember the upper stairs ‘lounge’ with swivel seats and a bar. Some other carriers even fitted the upper-deck with economy class seating. I recall flying on such a configured JAL 747-400 from New York to Tokyo.

There's one small mistake I believe. 747 was originally designed for US Air Force but lost competition for Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. It is actually cargo aircraft originally and when it was on design table, Juan T. Trippe saw an opportunity to use that huge aircraft for passenger service and making air travelling mass business when adding windows to hull.

One of the best channels, perfect video length 🙌🏻

Sat in the hump of a 747-100SP as a kid on Pan Am in 79. It was a bar lounge then and I sneaked up from the economy as only children could do. It was cool and had some nice couches.

Thank you for this wonderful tour of the world of the 747. It's a world I lived in for many years as a person and then for flight service manager for Transworld airlines. In fact in my very first month as a person, I was assigned to first class and was delighted to see a piano bar in the hump, delighted to see that

My business trips in the 90's were mostly on B747-400. as a C Class flyer, Sitting on the upper deck was my number one priority. If I can remember it correctly, the United business class on the upper deck had about 36 seats, more comfy, less people shared the toilets.

Just returned from a flight IOD-FRA a few days ago and I made a little childhood dream come true: I sat at the hump 🥰

I flew business class in the hump from Sydney to LA in a 747-400. So quiet and comfortable. A great plane.

When Boeing first put pencil on paper, it was as competition for an Air Force requirement for a long haul, high capacity transport. Lockheed won that competition with its C-5. But Juan Trippe, founder and Chairman of Pan Am, convinced Boeing that there was a coming market for a high capacity, long haul passenger liner. That second deck originally ran the entire length of the 747. (If you've been on a C-5, they have a full length second deck.) Most of the upper deck was shaved down and the space became a !st class lounge. (Later to become Business Class.) My first plane ride was on a TWA 747 from LAX to JFK. Upon my return my high school classmates were SO jealous I had ridden on the famous 747, which we saw taking off daily from our proximity from St. Bernard HS to LAX.

Thankyou Mr. Boeing ❤

Excellent!!! You hot so many things I've wondered in just 3 1/2 mins!

I've been on the business class on the upper hump of the iranian airline "Mahan Air". Although being a domestic and short flight, it was probably one of the best days of my life;)

Rode on the 747-400 with British Airways quite a few times SF to London and back. Never got to go upstairs, I wish I would have paid for it on one of those trips. Even being downstairs was always a pleasant ride.

I haven't been on a 747 (not in flight at least), but I've long thought it would be a more distinct experience to fly on the main level, in the nose, rather than on the upper deck. If you're in the front couple of rows, your windows are angled partially forward. That would make for a view that is rather uncommon in modern commercial aviation.

Very interesting video.

I was surprised that this video did not mention the shorter, 747-SP. I remember United flew it in the ‘90s. Also, I sat in the hump many times. It was much quieter.

Beautiful aircraft.

I’ve been up in many humps in my life.

Several times upstairs. Always cool and lots of space between seat and window. Always liked flying upstairs!

Flew twice on Qantas in the hump (I called it in the bubble) once in the exit row. It was very strange looking out the window during takeoff and landing. I believe they were both 400's

Traveled on BA. Sao Paulo to London. 2016. Club World class. It was a memorable experience. It was a 747-4. Hope to fly lufthansa’s 747-8 before they retire them.

I once flew coach on the hump of an Air France 747. It didn't feel like coach, as it had these big side bins between the seat and the window!

Yes. I worked on 747-400 freighter conventions for Kalitta, Atlas, and National from 2017-2020. Great experience. Some of then have a double bunk to accommodate crow rest, and a kitchen and the only bathroom as well. Every day was a great day working on that a/c.

Flew back tp PHL on Lufthansa 747-400 in 2019. Walked around the hump a bit.

I've been on the -200s and -400s hump numerous times. Especially if the first class was installed, ut provided great comfort level as the noise level was low. In the -200s hump, the feeling was like in a private jet...

I flew in 2016 on Lufthansa on the upper deck. Ticket was bought using rewards and taking a flight on the upper deck was a bucket list item. I didn't fly on 747's frequently enough to be able to detail on why it is special versus other locations on the plane. It definitely felt different being in a relatively small space. I don't want to say exclusive, but definitely more space and isolation from the rest of the plane. I love looking out the window and do remember feeling that the view was a bit less than what I would normally see. Just found a video I had made during the takeoff and the window slopes towards you.

At least as recently as 1997 British Airways had the hump on the 747-400 configured for coach passengers. I last rode in the hump that year on a flight from VAN to LHR. As my father was a then-recently retired UAL pilot I often flew first class in the 1970s which meant that I had a chance to visit the hump when it was just a lounge. Back then you had to vacate the area on take offs and landings, you could not go up there except in flight. Later when the area was replaced with premium seating I think I rode up there just one time but I don't specially recall for sure.

I flew only once in the hump of B-747, perhaps two decades ago (or three - movies were projected to an actual screen one had to duck under in order to reach the front lavatory). It held 30-40 business class seats, in 2-2 configuration (it was before lay-flat business class seats - they were merely comfy armchairs). Window seats (I always take those) had enormous storage space, due to sloped wall.

I flew in the hump for the first time in a JAL fight from Mexico City to Narita . My dream came true .

I once upgraded to business class on a United flight from Washington Dulles to Heathrow, and I flew in the hump!! It was a 747-222, and had the spiral staircase!!

2003 year, KLM night flight in hump of 747-400, flight from Mexico City to Amsterdam. I’ll remember that great moments to the end of my life.

I often flew in the upper deck of the Swissair 747, at that time a smoke-free business compartment. When you were allowed to smoke, it was quite uncomfortable because the smoke from the main deck could be clearly smelled.

I was privileged to travel in the UD of the B747 on a few occasions. The very first experience was on board a KLM 747-300. The most recent was on board a Lufthansa B747-800. The memorable one was when Lufthansa had a full flat bed next to the assigned seat. On a Lufthansa flight operated ex FRA (Aircraft DABVL) I had the opprtunity to experience a comfortable sleep at 37,000Ft in the UD. Sadly the Queen Of The Sky is dwindling slowy.

Flew in a BA Jumbo in the hump to Atlanta in 2018, to get married . Always wanted to fly on Concorde and missed out , so when I heard these were retiring , I made sure I flew in one .

Ive been in 747-400 hump and its so comfy for a long 10 hours flight from mecca to surabaya!

01:25 Wait, does that mean that there is a size difference between the upper deck of the -100 and the -200 versions? I had always hear they there the same.

good wideo:)

0:16 actually no, the 747 was initially boeing's response to the CX-HLS USAF Program, won by the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. Then Juan Trippe stepped in the 747 program.

Many hours piloting the 747-400BCF. Maybe my favorite plane.

I used to travel often from JFK to European destinations for business and was a TWA loyal customer. I always chose to book a coach seat and use miles to upgrade to a business class seat. TWA used the upper deck for business class and it was wonderful. You felt as if you were traveling in a private plane and there was one dedicated flight attendant for the 16 passengers.

I flew in the Lufthansa B747-8 to EZE and I really liked it up there, especially the large store room between the seats and the windows. It was also great because there were so few rows up there so it was very cosy

Early 80's on a Pan Am SP HGK-SFO with only 5 pax upstairs on that flight. I remember the pilot's came out one at a time to check out the new electronic device one of the other pax had: an LCD laptop.

Also, in the 1980s, Boeing offered modification of existing 747-100 and -200 with standard upper deck to have a stretched upper deck

You neglected to mention the actual origin of the hump and swinging cargo door nose - the aircraft has its origin in the government-funded "Heavy Logistics System" (CX-HLS) strategic transport competition, ultimately won by Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. The concern of the launch customer perhaps prevented Boeing from designing it away from what they already had (they did move wings and horizontal stabilizer down to the configuration more typical of civilian transports.)

I flew several times on -400 and -8i with KLM and Lufthansa, including one Lufthansa flight on the upper deck. It was interesting, but a bit claustrophobic because of the leaning ceiling. The greatest advantage, however, was that it was much more quiet than the regular deck - not only in terms of engine noise, but also the small amount of passengers chatting and walking about.

Virgin Atlantic had economy seats in hump of at least some of their 747-400s. The window seats were so spacious.

Always wanted to fly on the upper deck of the 747 ... and been on Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Qantas’s 747-400 upper deck! 🙂👍

It will be quite a sight seeing a 747-8BCF one day

Yes have been in the Hump on various flights. I very much liked it. Quiet and very comfortable.

I was in the Hump with the Black Eyed Peas.

The 747’s hump was lengthened to make the plane more streamlined according to Whitcomb’s area rule. That’s why among other reasons, the upper deck ends right where the wings start.😃

My first flight (only had 2) on a 747 and I was lucky enough to travel in the hump. Favourite plane.

I sat in the hump on Fiji airways a few years ago on my way to Australia. It’s more roomier than the bottom I felt. There was an extra side compartment for my carryon

Yes I've been up in the "hump," of a UPS. Cargo aircraft. I worked in the airfreight industry. Very cool! I'm an aviator geek. 🤓

Beautiful video! Sure I flew couple of times in the "hump"! An awesome and more exclusive feeling up there :)

the short hump looks better than the stretched ones change my mind

In 2009 from Tokyo to Manila, JAL, I was in the hump with a coach ticket. The plane was probably a high density configuration. I remember my seat was like row 75K and I was thinking, there’s 75 rows on this this 747? When I get to the entrance of the plane, the flight attendent pointed to the stairs. The upstairs was like a 737 3:3 seating and I had the window seat and there was room on the side that I couldn’t just lean on the wall to sleep. I regret not taking a photo when I was up there.

I've never got the chance and I will probably never will :(

Wife & I were seated in the hump for Manchester to Orlando. Very pleasant flight with Virgin Atlantic.

Before Pan Am made their order for the 747; Boeing had submitted their 747 design in response to the US military requirements for a large troop and cargo aircraft. Douglas and Lockheed were also tendering for the contract. In the end Lockheed won with the C5 Galaxy. So Boeing then tailored the 747 to Pan Am’s requirements.

Loved flying the DAL 747-400 upstairs - you felt like you were flying in a private jet with the lay flat seats and 2FAs taking care of a small number of passengers. Whenever flying to Asia, I would make sure to book flights so I could fly the 747, even if it meant a stopover at NRT or NGO. Goodbye 747, missing you.

A year ago I flew from YVR-LHR in the hump of British Airways G-CIVE. That will probably be my last ever flight in a Boeing 747.

This is why you'll never see a happy 747. Because they've all got the hump! (Thanks, I'm here all week)

My wife and flew with Air Pacific to Fiji on the upper deck. It was all economy with around 50 or so upstairs. Far more quiet. It felt as though you were in a much smaller, aircraft. I miss those days.

Originally the 747-100 had a lounge on the upper deck because it wasn't certified to house passengers for takeoffs and landings. It was once it got certified for that they started putting seats up there.

Best part of business class in the hump was the small bin between the seat and the window that neatly held my suitcase. Never flew in the piano bar version :(

I have been waiting on a 747 hump vid for along time now also Yeeeeeet

the queen still the best looking airplane

Love this channel always teaches me something new about aviation keep up the good work

while travelling in the hump certainly gives a more exclusive feeling, i think i'd still prefer the main deck where the windows are not tilted upwards so i have a better view to the ground. :)

What a coincidence! Yesterday I was thinking about it, whether the hump in the freighter versions is different than those in the passenger versions or is that an optical illusion (due to less windows). Now my doubt is cleared. Thanks.

Was in the hump of KLM’s 747-400 in 2012 and Air China’s 747-8 earlier this year.

The 747 was designed as a freighter from the beginning and lost out to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. That's why it has a hump and can be loaded through the nose door under the crew area. It was then designed and marketed as a passenger plane.

Boeing 747: *called queen of the sky* Boy Boeing 747’s: am i a joke to you?

Flew in the hump 3 times. Round-trip from Seoul-Cheju in a -400(?) configured as a sardine can. It may have been an old JAL plane with the 600 seat capacity or something. All economy, reduced seat pitch, crying kids, and drunk adults all going on vacation. One-way upgrade on a -400 to business class from NRT-ORD. All business class upper deck, but JAL still allowed smoking on upper deck, but not in the lower deck seats. Obviously a long time ago.

I wasn’t but my Grandma was back in the old days on a British Airways 747-100 (or maybe 200) She loved first class.

As much as I love(d) flying on the A380 upper deck, from the outside the 747s look much more impressing!

Yup, been in the hump a couple of times, it was great. On the window seat you have some extra storage between the seat and the window, because the fuselage curves too much too stick the seat close to it.

My favorite jet since 2010

Yes I have been in the upper section. I flew on a 747 flight SFO to Honolulu 1972 when it had the cocktail lounge upstairs. I’ve forgotten the carrier.

What about the 747-SP? I think it had the same hump as the 747-200.