I wouldn't call this a "rise and fall" ... the Queen of the Skies reigned for over 60 years, that's an impressive amount of time with hundreds built! So it is quite the success story!

Even though most people have seen a 747, people will still take pictures as we taxi into a lot of airports around the world... I doubt many pilots have that same experience! She's iconic.

The Concorde had a rise and a fall. The 747 had a glorious career!

Yup, I was a 74 captain for 25 years, all models. I can’t help but think almost each day how lucky I have been to fly all around the world with the Queen of the Skies. She was elegant, sturdy, safe and fast and oh boy, she could deliver an inner sense of pride and accomplishment !

I retired in 2016. I flew several iterations of the 747 twenty two years. I loved every minute of it.

Aw, an icon finally takes a bow and goes down to into history. Legandary as she is, she will never be forgotten, her shape, her size and her service through billion of passengers that she carried all this years. Thank you.

It's an aircraft you have to see in person to fully understand just how massive and beautiful it is. Sad to hear this news of no more production.

Magical aircraft. My late dad flew her with German Cargo on his last assignment and was in his element in the cockpit. I can still vividly remember him taking me to Chicago on a 74. All the way across the Atlantic. Just me, dad and his two fellow crewmen...imagine that...

Best plane ever built. My father flew for Pan Am for 37 years. He loved his job and loved the 747. Thanks great tribute. Glad they mentioned PanAm that's why we had the 707 and 747.

My uncle was the facility maintence supervisor for northwest airlines at one time. He took me into the hanger in Duluth, MN, and they had been restoring two 747’s. They had the glass cockpit installed but the fuselage was an empty shell. Got to sit in the pilots seat and fondle anything I wanted in that plane. It was incredible. Uncle threw me up inside one of the engines and we took a picture together inside the jet engine. Still have it framed 30 years later.

When I was a kid in the early 80s, my dad who worked for the DOD took me to see the Space shuttle Columbia while it was mounted on top of a 747. It was parked on a tarmac away from the passenger jets outside of the Lambert airport in St. Louis, where fighter jets were parked and maintained, etc. With his DOD badge, we sped by the military guard and drove right up to the 747. As we got of our '78 Mercury, I remember how excited my dad and I were to see the space shuttle in person, but as I began to walk underneath the 747 I became more interested in the plane. I was amazed by how huge this plane was. The landing gear was massive, with tires taller than me and engines that looked as big as a car. Forty plus years later I still remember this like it was yesterday. What an era and experience to remember. No way this would be possible in today's time. Going to miss seeing this beautiful work of flying art... Thanks for the memories, Dad! Miss ya! RIP

This is about "Evolution of the Market," not a "Fall" of the B747. She served her purpose and helped usher in the age we are now if even if she precepted her own obsolescence. Loved flying the 747 - especially the -400 and, more recently, the -8. Always a fantastic ride.

I used to work for a company that had access to 747 cargo planes. We all would take coffee breaks in the cockpit as possible. The 747 is magic. Even more interesting is one of my friends dad was one of the first batch of 747 captains. Also the 747s crews were the best of the best.

I have flown over 3 million miles on a 747 going back to the early 80's. Mainly the USA and Asia, Europe, Australia. The irony is that my first job out of college was working in the 747 factory in Everett 2 years before my first 747 flight. I've flown on almost every version including a combi and an SP. I've flown in every class including the upper deck which was my favorite. Thank you Boeing 747,

I remember as a child flying on 747s during family vacations. The comfy seats and real soft landings. Definitely a far cry from today's airline experiences.

I have flown on the 747 numerous times. When I was active duty military, the charter airlines would sometimes deploy these for overseas flights from the US. I felt like I was riding a ship in the sky. My best experience was on an Air France 747-400 from Atlanta to Paris. Besides the awesome service, the aircraft felt like butter in the air. It is such a beautiful aircraft!!! I've worked on National and Atlas cargo 747s for years. Highly efficient jets. Definitely gonna miss flying them.

I remember when this plane came out when I was a kid. It STILL is the most beautiful plane out there. I was glad I got to fly on one by accident because another flight got cancelled.

My most memorable 747 flight was from Montreal to Amsterdam. There was a bad thunderstorm in Montreal and we were one hour late on our departure. The flight attendants were adamant that we would not put anything other than just overcoats or other soft items in the overhead storage. People were unhappy about all the luggage that had to go under the seats, occupying all the accustomed foot space. But what else could we do. Like said, the crew was adamant. So, we took off and my seat was far back, where the plane started getting narrow. In fact, I had a straight view along the right isle all the way to the very front. And then it happened, we flew right through the remainder of the storm. Looking at the isle, I saw what felt like 15 degree twist left and right. Probably it was less -- I said it felt like that much. Anyway, about half of the overhead storage doors popped open and the coats dropped down. I think not many passengers were unhappy any more that there were no hard pieces of luggage up there. Well, the frightening experience lasted some 5 or 10 minutes. And the rest of the flight was smooth. But I keep my memory of the big 747 twisting that way.

747s were “LOUD” back in the day. When they flew out of Paine Field they flew directly over my high school.

In '73 I flew United from JFK to SFO, I made reservations on the flight just because it was scheduled to go as a 747. It was a repositioning flight for the airplane, there weren't more than 30 passengers on board. The flight crew was so accommodating, I got to tour the entire aircraft during our flight. It was a grand experience of one grand aircraft.

The 747 is an icon. The queen of the skies. She’ll always have a special place in our hearts as plane enthusiasts. The 747 blazed a path for the next generation of wide-body

747 is legend. Planes will come and go but 747 will forever remain most iconic plane ever built.

I still remember my first 747 flight. South African Airways from Johannesburg to London Heathrow. I was an unaccompanied minor, flying to visit the UK at the age of 7. I was in awe of the double isles, how long the wings were and how smooth the plane was. I flew this route many times over, but never got over that initial fascination when I stepped on the 747 for the first time. What a lucky experience!

My cousin was a 747 pilot for Delta. On his retirement flight, he flew Delta's last 747 which was retired after that flight.

I flew 747s several times when living in Hawaii and flying to the East Coast. Take offs were smooth and powerful - impossible to lift my head from rest until it had climbed in altitude. Landings were smooth. Their were bars throughout the plane where (and when) passengers could stand and chat with others. Unlike today's flights, seats were comfortable and plenty of legroom. Food was delicious and free! First Class was "upstairs". I miss the glory of 747s...nothing like it since.

I am a retired LA City employee after 36 years of service. I worked as a gardener for LA city near LAX. I first saw a Continental Airlines 747 in 1970 taking off from LAX. I just stood in awe as SHE was "getting out of dodge" if you know what I I mean. Then in 1979, I flew on a PAN AM 747 from LAX to New York JFK. Maaaan, she was huge and during the flight I was ALL over HER and I could not stay seated. None of the flight attendants was on me about keeping my seat. I had never been on anything so huge and so beautiful. And with as many of other passenger jets I have flown on(mostly all of them), that flight on the PAN AM is my most memorable one. Times change and it really breaks my heart to see HER leave us. She WILL forever be the QUEEN OF THE SKIES. I sit here @ my computer for hours and hours watching the videos of the 747 taking off and landing and continuing to move passengers to and fro. Thank You Mr. Boeing. Keep building the best planes.

I’m sad that they discontinued 747. 😢😢. It was the best plane ever, and the best landing. The touchdown was so smooth, it’s magical.

When I took my first European trip I was excited to see it was a 747. Such a iconic plane I always wanted to travel on.

The rise and fall? She may have finally gone out of production, but the Queen never fell. She had but one actual competitor (the A380) and watched her come and go. The A380s will be long retired when the last 747 makes its final flight decades from now. Even then she will live on as one of the legendary aircraft of all times. Long live the Queen.

My father was a Flight Engineer for the 747 for 36 years. There's a small bunk bed in there for staff to sleep in for long hauls. I've sat in the cockpit over a few dozen times during take offs and landings.

I was a kid when this aircraft was introduced and was lucky to see it take off and land throughout the day when the pilots did actual manual training before sim was available . Never got tired of it. I've seen it up close while it was parking and it was like a giant bearing down . In the air at more than 30k feet going to London it was smooth as silk and touchdown was a caress. It is more like an emperor with the sky its realm. Certainly wrong to term it a fall; more like a gradual phase out . Long live !

My first international flight from South Africa to New York was on a 747 when I was just 7 years old. One of the fondest memories of my childhood. I was so amazed at the sheer size of her and that iconic hump. I remember wishing me and my sister would sit on the top deck, didn't understand the differences in classes. She's truly the queen of the skies❤❤

My first trip on an airplane was in 1979. I flew out to LAX from JFK with my grandma and the flight out to LAX was a 747. I remember looking out the window at the gate in awe of that jet. I also remember walking past the spiral stair case on my way to the coach section of the plane. I got to fly on the 747 quite a few times as an adult but I will never forget the first time I got to fly on that plane.

As someone born in the 1970s, the Boeing 747-400 represented the apex of all the airplanes that I know of. The model name comes naturally with an impression of importance, grandeur, and safety. Somehow I felt more relaxed if I was in a 747-400. Kind sentimental to see it’s becoming part of the passing history too.

I flew the 747-400 many times between LAX and AMS over the last 20 years.... KLM, the one seen in the opening of this video.... I have always been amazed how massive this plane is, and how smooth it flies and lands..... Last time I flew one was in September 2019 on a trip back to The Netherlands from California, where I live. I already knew then that this would likely be the last time, as they had announced its retirement in 2021, and with me flying between LAX and AMS about every 2 to 3 years, I figured I wasn't going to fly it another time. Then, the pandemic hit, and they were retired early in 2020. And indeed, on my next trip back to NL, the 777-200/300 were the preferred types to fly the AMS-LAX route. They also have 787-9's flying that route now. But yeah, I have fond memories of the KL601/602 flight between LAX and AMS. I think I flew the 747 five times, and it was always an experience. It has been my favorite plane since. Never ever made it to the top deck though.

The 747 is an icon. The queen of the skies. She’ll always have a special place in our hearts as plane enthusiasts. The 747 blazed a path for the next generation of wide-body aircraft to innovate. I’m excited and interested to see what Airbus and Boeing will do in my lifetime, especially with COMAC entering the market.

My Dad was a Manager at United in the 70's and 80's. We flew on the 747 at least 5 times! It was an epic event each time!

The 747 is the most beautiful commercial aircraft ever designed. They really do define the skies. It is great to see them in use as freighters today and hopefully decades to come.

My first time flying the upper deck was something I never have forgotten… after dozens of journeys across the Atlantic and Pacific from the 747-100 to the 747-400 I’ll never forget the magical experience that came with it, I’ll surely miss her.

I went to Germany from Minneapolis on a 747. I specifically remember taking off and watching the plane's wing starting to lift as we were taxing down the runway an thinking Ok, at any moment the rest of the plane should follow suit. It quickly did. It was the best quality flight the entire way.

I flew on one of the earliest Pan Am trips from Heathrow to Dulles in the summer of 1970 in first class. That sky lounge was a incredible upgrade. The entire 747 was an iconic, majestic beauty!

MY first and only trip on a 747 was from SFO to Ohare (Ord) December of 1972 with TWA. I skipped a 707 flight just to fly on a Jumbo. I will never forget it. We came into O' hare and there was a backup of 747s waiting to dock. It was fantastic!! We waited 45 minutes to disembark.. I don't think anyone minded. I love the 747!!

Back in the late 60's, my grandfather was an engineer at Boeing. He was so proud of being a part of the 747 development team. He used to tell me stories about certain tests that the 747 had to go through. For example, he told me about the wing flex testing as well as measuring heat buildup in the brakes during a hard stop. He was especially proud of the design of the landing gear. He and my grandma lived on Whidbey Island. They had a small ranch there with a few cows. He built a go-cart for us to drive around the property. It was powered by a chainsaw motor. Whenever something broke, he would stay up late at night and re-engineer it so the go-cart would be ready to go the next morning.

There is no "fall" of the 747, she is and will always be the Queen of the skies.

I was 3 and half when my family and I immigrated from India to the USA, it was on a 747. I remember it being big. This was in 1974. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

I started my career as an Air traffic controller in control tower at Karachi International Airport . Those days Clipper 1 & 2 were flying all around the world. B747 had the Majestic takeover and landing . It could land using short part of runway. Even in case of immediate takeoff the aircraft was borne before our estimation. I still missed those graceful takeoff and majestic landing. It is life . New innovation takes place . Now I am a retired aeronautical engineer.

What still amazes me is that it's the only airplane able to put cities, airlines, and airports on the map. It raised the profile of every place and everything it went to.

I dont think the 747 failed in these modern times It paved the way to our airline industry. Its contributions alone outweigh its shortcomings. So yeah this plane will forever be the queen of the skies

Fresh out of the Army in March of 1975, I began my aviation career with Cargolux Airlines in Luxembourg. (Using my GI benefits I soon earned my FAA Dispatcher certification.) Working in Flight Ops, I was used to dispatching the 4 CL44 and 2 DC8 freighters at a time when all flight planning was done by hand. Rapid growth meant that Cargolux eventually ordered 2 B747-200 freighters. Having attended the B747 dispatch school at Boeing headquarters in late 1978, I knew there was something very special about this aircraft. So did management. Cargolux now operates a fleet of 30 B747s serving customers around the world.

"We can do amazing things!" I'll definitely agree with that, this airplane shows it very well. What I love about it is that despite its size it still flies amazingly well; not as heavy as you might think. It's obvious drawback is that it's clearly not economical at all with 4 engines.

Interesting that Tenerife wasn't mentioned as a memorable disaster with the 747. Two 747 crashed into each other on the foggy runway. I've only been on a 747 a couple times, and each time was a great memory.

i flew on british airways on a 747 in december of 2019 mainly so i could fly on one before they were phased out, little did i know about covid which would put them out almost right after :( they’re such amazing planes

The most inspiring part of this story other than Boeing’s sheer confidence during development, is Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer’s segment. You go girl, what a brave woman! 😊

As a recent retired flight attendant I always loved flying on many 747 planes ✈️ they were so iconic and the pilots were so professional they could land them like glass I miss flying on them

I remember seeing a 747 for the first time at Heathrow airport London , I was flying Pan am to Hong Kong , the first thing to appear was the rear tail fin behind a building like a shark fin in the sea , then the nose appeared ..it was magnificent just amazing, my first thought after being seated was how it would get off the ground , I looked around and thought you could play football inside here..such a smooth plane... A 747 was just a special plane .

It's not a Fall for 747, its Glorious Ending....

I believe my first flight ever was on a 747, crossing the Pacific Ocean. It's one of my favorite airliners alongside the 777 and A380. It sucks how the 747 and 380s are going away, but at least we're getting the next-generation 777x.

A few more points: 1. The 747 was in good part recycled from rejected plans for a USAF super transport; Lockheed won that with the C5A. The 747 also helped stop plans for a stretched 707. 2. For many 747 customers, it was their first-ever Boeing aircraft, many of those were previously (McDonnell)-Douglas or Lockheed loyalists. Those airlines later bought other Boeing models, and of course Boeing absorbed McD-D in 1997. 3. Many of the "big twins" were not only 2-engine, but also 2-crew. The first victims of that trend were 3-crew trijets and quadjets like 707, 727, DC-8, DC-10, L-1011 - and older 747s. They were already losing favor well before 9/11, which sped up the retirements of those types. 4. In the list of 747 crashes, the March 29, 1977 ground collision at Tenerife wasn't mentioned. Two 747s, Pan Am and KLM, collided on the ground, killing 583. The KLM captain - their chief instructor, no less - had started his takeoff roll without clearance, though there were many other contributing factors - starting with neither plane was even supposed to be at Tenerife in the first place.

I’m not really an aviation geek but can appreciate the 747 for its distinctive design. I also happened to have gotten randomly assigned a license plate that ends in “00747,” and I took the chance to take a picture of my car (license in view) with the 747 prototype (at the Museum of Flight in Seattle) in the background. I get giddy looking at that picture.

I recall as a child watching the very 1st 747 do its madden test flight on television. I heard the loud sound of its jet engines; I ran outside and looked up as she flew over our house at low altitude, my gosh id never seen anything so large in the skys before. I fell in love with that aircraft at that moment!

I was at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) the day the first 747 arrived. Awesome. I later worked for Singapore Airlines (SQ) for 8 years at LHR and my heart was always pumping when I saw our SQ 747 take off. Bootiful aircraft and the real Queen of the Skys.

To an ordinary flier, I am proud to say that I flown once from Manila to Davao via Philippine Airlines in 2012. And the experienced was superb, I haven't feel any turbulence during the entire flight. It was fantastic! The sad thing, when I came back to Manila - the Davao to Manila flight operated by A321 aircraft. But I was grateful to experienced it.

A timely doco'. Thank you folks for the snapshot history. I have only flown on the 747 a couple of times during my 72 years, but - among the thousands watching this looming giant approach Auckland airport on its inaugural flight to New Zealand to a perfect touchdown in just a few hundred metres was astounding! It is imprinted on my memory for ever.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunities to fly on the 747---always a smooth and comfortable experience.

My all time favourite aeroplane is The Boeing 747-400. ❤️ The most beautiful aeroplane ever. 🥰

I saw the very 1st 747 flight and still remember it for it being so big. Forward 10 years and I was an engineer for the 747. It was interesting to look through all the different studies that had been done on how to vary it’s design for different uses.

747 still flies across the world ,may not fly passengers but it still grace the sky with its beauty ,this clip should be titled the indelible life of 'The queen of the sky"

I honestly haven't seen one in like 20 years. But I think a new twin-engine concept can work today. Nothing beats its freight capability, military and civil.

In 1973 I flew on a 747 Red-Eye from San Francisco to Minneapolis St Paul Minnesota. I sat in forward cabin not aware of much movement during the flight. A wonderful passenger jet.

In 1975 I flew in a 747 from San Francisco to Oahu. Nothing compared to it. It was like a huge butterfly in the sky. Unfortunately for United Airlines it was less then half full. Talking with a stewardess the flight only made money because of the added cargo it was able to carry. The 747 consumed 500 gallons of fuel per hour according to the stewardess. When it touched down I could see but not feel it landing. Smooth is the best word to describe the jet on take-off, flight, and landing.

When I graduated as an engineer in 1996, my first job was with Boeing. My first flight on the 747 was from London to Los Angeles at the hump. What a beauty. At the time, British Airways still preserved a high level of service, which made the experience delightful.

747 to me represents the brilliant minds and leadership that made her into existence, power of human ingenuity and creativity

It's crazy to think that finally after 50 YEARS they finally stopped making her, truly a sad day for the aviation world. Godspeed Queen of the Skies, you will fly for an eternity in our hearts.

Flown on every Boeing aircraft class and the 747 is by far my favorite! Beautiful aircraft and will always be the Queen of the skies.

I have flown on the 747 once in my life, way back in 1978 with Air India from London Heathrow to JFK, and to this day, it's still my favorite plane ever!!!

My wife and I were lucky enough to be upgraded to 1st class on a Air France 747 from Paris to New York City in being a commercial rated pilot it was a dream come true!

Flew in first class because of work from LAX to JFK several times on QANTAS 747's. It was such a treat, and luxury that I never took for granted. Miss those days.

My first international flight was in 1992 on a Qantas 747 bound for LA. I was upgraded to business class and sat up in the hump, it opened up the world to me

We have 22 747 cargos, during 3 years of pandemic, it's a savior for my airline. Tysm, 747. My last aircraft to retired, I am so lucky, lol!

Power, style, function: the 747 will always be Queen of the Skies ! Others may be bigger, but no plane can equal the legendary 747. I'm crushed that the last 747 has left the building. PETITION BOEING TO KEEP MAKING THESE PLEASE !

My grandfather learned to fly in a stearman biplane and retired flying the 747. He was born in the 20’s and went from flying a fully analogue, unpressurized Douglas C-47 over the Hump to a mechanized, computer-filled, jet-powered, fly-by-wire beast internationally for Pan Am. I envy that man’s career.

I flew the 747 since infancy while traveling to Hong Kong. It was always a given that I'll be on a 747. But in 2001, a new 777-200 from Continental flew me to Tokyo from IAH Houston and I was so impressed that a 2 engine jet could do the 747's job. I was impressed but at the same time a little sad that the trusty 747 that's always been synonymous with long haul travel was now losing its glory, 22 years ago. I was thinking to myself then that the 747 is quickly becoming an outdated aircraft as much I loved it. Going forward after my first 777 flight in 2001 I was able to catch a few 747-400s, which I thought then would last for many years to come but, sadly less than a decade after those flights, the 747-400s were quickly being replaced by many airlines. My last ever 747 flight was on a United 747-400 from SFO-HKG in late 2016. It was time I wished could last a little more longer. Now as of 2023, I don't think I'll ever catch a 747 again. Well, if there any airlines or even freighters that are flying the 747 for "decades to come" I'd hope every 747 owner would completely retire the airplane on its 100th anniversary since its first flight on February 9, 2069! That would be the GREATEST 747 farewell ever!

I made a 13-hr flight from San Francisco to Tokyo on a JAL 747 in 1983. I had flown back to the States on a C-5, accompanied by 40 drunk Marines, so my pregnant self was very appreciative of the space and whisper-smooth ride of the Queen of the Skies.

I'm a Proud Incredible. Part of the Multiple Award Winning 747 E-4440 final assembly crew, that went 2 1/2 years on a 3 day cycle, at 100%. Not a single traveler in all that time. We could have done it in 2 days 🤗 But we were pretty much 100% all the time. It was Fun !!! Best Aircraft Ever. ...no bias 😏

I am so grateful to have ridden this beauty. When I was little between the years 2002- until about 2010, we went from Sweden to Bangkok in a 747 every year. The last time I went on it was in 2020 (probably the last time :(.... Then it was a 747a extra inserted between bangkok-Phuket, I called up upgraded to Business class immediately I saw it was a 747a. An old beautiful classic plane a this once. Rest in peace

I fly the 74-8 for a cargo operator and I have many hours starting in the odd ball 74-1 and the 74-2 and the 74-4. It has been a very safe air frame for myself to make a living since 1992. The airline business has had many ups and downs but I feel like a survivor and the govt. will clip my wings long before the last 74 leaves the sky

My first flight from Delhi to Mumbai back in 2012 was in in an Air India 747. At that time I didnt knew what the aircraft was, but now I know and I feel proud and happy to have flown in the Queen of the Skies.

It's not "....the fall of the 747" but the graceful exit of the 747 ❤❤😊

I Flew from South Korea to Atlanta on a 747 ! Best plane ride ever !

My first flight to Japan was in a 747 of Lufthansa. Its just a magic plane.

It’s sad that the 747 is not in production but edventualy all planes reach an era where they can’t dominate the market, but the engineering of the plane means that they still are amazing cargo aircraft

Having worked for an international airline in marketing and sales, I had the pleasure of flying our fleet of Boeing747 for almost a decade (80's) in their business class which was on the same upper deck as the cockpit. The plane was a delight to be a passenger with wide leather bound seats, especially on long range flights 14-16 hours. The staircase to the upper deck was especially grand as in a cruise ship. I still miss the wonderful flights on those magnificent aircrafts.

I flew 747-200 from karachi to Dhaka in 2011 in January. & that was most beautiful journey, as well as safe journey also.

As an employee of Boeing for 15 years, I've had the pleasure of working on the 747 in Everett and seeing it every day. Beautiful bird. Last one just rolled out a few weeks ago. Sad to see

She will always be the Queen of the skies.Such an iconic aircraft might be succeeded,but never replaced (in our harts,at least)...

as a ground staff... it really is a great experience to service this plane. its awesome especially the freighter versions. its mind blowing just how much weight this thing can carry and how on earth its able to fly being that heavy.

To me, the 747 is the most beautiful airliner ever built. So elegant and refined despite its size and power.

I saw the first B747 arrival at LHR as I was departing as a pax on a B707 to SIN. Never thought years later I would log 5K hours in command of the B747-400, both passenger and freight. It handled like a dream and the without effort touchdowns were almost undetectable. Those 4 engines gave a feeling of security mid Pacific unmatched by many previous wide body twins.

*_#FORMER_BOEING_EVERETT_**_ _**_#Lean_Manufacturing_* I have been up close and personal with the 747 starting with a pile of very expensive parts then all the way to Final Certification. It truly is a 'Jumbo Jet' aka Queen of the Skies. When Boeing got first orders for B747 from Pan Am, there was no place big enough to build it. Not only did Boeing have a year to deliver first plane, it had to also build a gigantic factory. The factory wasn't even weather tight when production was in full swing on first couple of 747's. Boeing bought 750 acres of forest. Trees were cut, land was leveled, and thousands of construction workers started building the initial factory (small by today's giant), and other support buildings. The mechanics building the plane in these harsh conditions and very short timeline were nicknamed 'The Incredibles'. They also built a complete rail spur, highways and roads, all in record time. Today Boeing builds biggest aircraft inside biggest factory, by best workforce in the industry. In all 5 different wide body twin aisle aircraft are built at Boeing Everett; 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787. Soon the 797 will start production. Today Boeing Everett covers over 1,000 acres, is largest factory in world, and it is going through another shift in airline economics. The market has changed and the 777 and 787 are the most popular aircraft for range, capacity, and reduced costs compared to the 747. Airbus learned the hard way with their A380. We proposed a supersized 747, not a brand new super Jumbo. A380 got the sales, we didn't care because we already had 777 and 787 was coming soon. *_On the plus side, existing 747's in both passenger and freight configurations will be around for decades to come._*

I don't care about other passenger airliner planes, this is the best one ever. The first memory I have of it was back in 1984, I was 4, the flight was Milan (Malpensa) - Bangkok Thai Airways. When I saw it from outside before embarking I was mesmerized, astonished, it was massive, magic! I remember my father telling me "this is the Boing 747 Jumbo Jet!", such a cool memory! I still can't believe it's gonna be retired. I'll miss this plane.