What was once the future is now the past.

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 03/30/2014 at 16:41 • Filed to: None

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The Boeing 747 once represented the future of flying, and now it's about to fly into the sunset. To this day its unique double-deck "lobe" design makes it stand out and gives it a command presence in a sea of metal tubes with wings, and for decades it was the go-to choice for an airline's "flagship." Having one of these babies in your fleet gave you serious street (er, sky?) cred, and perhaps not unlike purchasing an old S430 or LS400 today, smaller airlines obtaining used 747s were instantly transformed with "big boy" cachet. But boy, have times changed. Delta and United are pushing their 747s to the boneyard in favor of the new kids on the block - Boeing's own 777, as well as the new 787 Dreamliner and the future Airbus A350. Efficiency is the new name of the game, and simply being big and cramming as many seats in as possible no longer cuts it for the win. For those wishing for another gigantic flagship to carry on the title of Queen of the Skies, the Airbus A380 offers true full-length double-decks and a 30-40 year youth advantage. But all of the above owes some debt of gratitude to the first reigning queen, and that goes for anything else in the future - whether they be Mach 2 hyper-exotics, near-zero emissions wunderplanes, or yet more tubes with wings. Read more about how the 747 revolutionized air travel and its waning days !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Image taken from Getty Images/The Associated Press via NPR.

jkm7680 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 03/30/2014 at 16:43

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It really is inconvenient how airlines are jamming hundreds of seats into planes instead of focusing on comfort. On a long distance 7 hour flight to Europe, It was similar to sitting in the backseat of a convertible.

Michael Flatter > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 03/30/2014 at 16:48

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My grandfather was the third most senior pilot at Pan-Am when they went out of business, and he spent decades flying 747's. The coolest one that he flew was the 747 SP, which had a shortened fuselage for longer range and increased speed. If I recall correctly he flew them on the route to Johannesburg.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 03/30/2014 at 16:51

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747s are probably becoming obsolete not only for their age, but the fact that air travel isn't as popular and it's better to have smaller planes suit the needs of people at different times rather than limiting you flights to fill up a huge 747. Honestly, I don't even know how airlines can survive anymore. The only one to make sense is Southwest and their system. They only fly 737s, keeps maintenance and other costs down. Some lines have 8 or more different models.

Dunnik > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 03/30/2014 at 17:25

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I'll miss the jumbo. Saw one the other day, a KLM, on final at Pearson . With its gear down and all its gigantic flaps extended, it just seemed to float there like some graceful insect. It's long been one of the world's favorite planes.

I've seen an Emirates A380 on final and it looks more like a duck.

f86sabre > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 03/30/2014 at 18:58

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The 747 has had an amazing run. As you've mentioned, some of the very early -400s are, potentially, within a few years of the end of their economically feasible life. The next overhaul is an expensive one. The later ones should have some life in them still. Maintenance of a four engine aircraft is also spendy. That said, it is still a much sought after workhorse. If you want to take a bunch of people and cargo to the other side of the world there aren't too many better ways to do it.

I was lucky enough to take a 747 to Tokyo last year. I rode upstairs in first and it was unbelievable. I had the forward most seat and it was like I was on my own private jet. You could barely tell you were on one of the biggest aircraft in the world except for the silky smooth ride.