The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognisable aircraft in the history of commercial aviation. The first flight of the 747-100 original variant launched in 1966 and was Introduces on January 22 1970 with Pan American World Airways.

Since then, Boeing has produced over 1,500 units, selling them to commercial airlines across the world. 

How much do you know about this iconic aircraft, you might be amazed to learn some of the following facts about it.

747-8I Delivery flight747-8I Delivery flight K65598

It was the First ‘Jumbo Jet’

While several wide-body aircraft is recognised as “jumbo jet,” the Boeing 747 was the first to receive this title. In 1970 at the time of its release, it was the largest wide-body jet on the market inspiring aviation specialists to start calling it a “jumbo jet.” S

Over 3 Billion Passengers Have Flown In a 747

The 747 is known as one of the most popular commercial jets of all time. According to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the 747 has flown over 3.5 billion passengers since its release in 1970. 

That is an extraordinary feat on its own.

NASA use them for their space shuttle missions

While commercial airlines have been the Boeing primary customers, NASA has used the 747. NASA purchased two modified Boeing 747s for space shuttle missions at the End of the 1970s. NASA used the modified 747s to transport its space shuttles. The space shuttle was located piggyback style atop the modified 747.

241 kilometres or 150 miles of Wiring

 To say the 747 has a lot of electrical wiring would be an understatement. Like all aeroplanes, the 747 features a complicated electrical arrangement consisting of wiring and various elements. 

Retired

After celebrating 51 years of passenger service, most commercial airlines have since retired the Boeing 747 in favour of newer jets. The oldest active passenger configured Boeing 747 that is still flying today, the aircraft is about 42 years old, on November 9th 1977, the Saudi Arabian Royal Flight took ownership.

When it was first conceived it took $1 Billion to Develop

With a proposed program cost of over $1 billion, Boeing went held nothing back with the 747. It’s important to note that the $1 billion reflects the cost of the 747 programs when it was conceived a half-century ago. When considering inflation, today’s cost is an estimated $7 billion.