Boeing launched the 747 Program in 1966 with an order from Pan American World Airlines. The 747 entered commercial service in 1970; the early 747 family included the -100, -SP, -200 and -300 models, commonly referred to as the Classics. The 747-400 is currently the only model in production, and it is the best-selling member of the 747 family. Boeing thoroughly redesigned the 747 with the -400 model, making major aerodynamic improvements, adding winglets to improve fuel efficiency, incorporating new avionics, installing a new flight deck and providing the latest in-flight entertainment systems.
The 747-400 flight deck replaced the analog systems of the 747 classic with digital avionics, reducing the number of lights, gauges and switches from 971 to 365. Programmable displays and simpler cockpit procedures also reduced the workload in the cockpit.
Boeing 747-400LCF the Large Cargo Freighter’s unique design will feature an entire aft fuselage that swings open for loading. Modifications to enlarge the upper fuselage will increase the volume of the main cargo deck to 1.845 m³, 300 percent more capacity than the 747-400 Freighter, the largest freighter in regularly scheduled service. Two Large Cargo Freighters will be needed to support initial 787 production. Two 747-400s that will be converted to the new configuration were purchased by Boeing in 2004. Boeing continues looking for a third airplane that will enter service later. Certification of the first Large Cargo Freighter will occur in 2006, with the airplane returning to service in 2007 to support final assembly of the first 787 Dreamliner.
| Developing nation: | United States of America |
| Manufacturer/designer: | Boeing Commercial Airplane Company. |
| Production line: | Everett, WA. |
| Type aircraft: | Long range high capacity wide body airliner. |
| First flight: | – 747-100 February 9, 1969, N7470.
– 747-200B October 11, 1970, N611US. – 747-200F November 30, 1971, N1794B. – 747-200C March 23, 1973, N747WA. – 747SP July 4, 1975, N747SP. – 747-200M November 18, 1974, N8297V. – 747-300/SR October 5, 1982 N6005C. – 747-300M February 14, 1983, N4548M. – 747-400 April 29, 1988, N401PW. – 747-400M June 30, 1989, N6038E. – 747-400D March 18, 1991, N60668. – 747-400F May 4, 1993, N6005C. – 747-400ER July 31, 2002, N6018N. – 747-400ERF September 30, 2002, N5017Q. – 747-400LCF September 9, 2006. |
| First delivery: | – 747-100 December 13, 1969 to Pan Am.
– 747-200B January 15, 1971 to KLM. – 747-200F March 10, 1972 to Lufthansa. – 747-200C April 30, 1973 to World Airways. – 747SP March 5, 1976 to Pan Am. – 747-200M March 7, 1975 to Air Canada. – 747-300/SR March 1, 1983 to UTA. – 747-300M March 5 1983 to Swissair. – 747-400 January 26, 1989 to Northwest Airlines. – 747-400M September 1, 1989 to KLM. – 747-400D October 10, 1991 to Japan Air Lines. – 747-400F October 22, 1993 to Cargolux. – 747-400ER October 31, 2002 to Qantas. – 747-400ERF. October 17, 2002 to Air France. |
| Last delivery: | – 747-100 July 1986 to Japan Air Lines.
– 747-200B December 1990 to USAF. – 747-200F November 1991 to Nippon Cargo Airways. – 747-200C September 1988 to Martinair. – 747SP December 12, 1989 to Abu Dhabi Government (UAE). – 747-200M December 12, 1989 to Abu Dhabi Government (UAE). – 747-300/SR October 1988 to Japan Asia. – 747-300M September 1990 to SABENA. – 747-400M April 10, 2002 to KLM. – 747-400D December 1995 to All Nippon Airways. |
| Boeing 747 Top 10 current operators: | |
| Japan Air Lines. | – 73 Boeing 747 |
| British airways. | – 57 Boeing 747 |
| Korean Air Lines. | – 43 Boeing 747 |
| United Airlines. | – 37 Boeing 747 |
| Qantas. | – 36 Boeing 747 |
| Cathay Pacific Airlines. | – 35 Boeing 747 |
| Northwest Airlines. | – 35 Boeing 747 |
| Air France. | – 34 Boeing 747 |
| China Airlines. | – 30 Boeing 747 |
| Lufthansa. | – 30 Boeing 747 |
Summary March 2005.
| Boeing 747 Top 10 all times operators: | |
| Japan Air Lines. | – 113 Boeing 747 |
| British Airways. | – 101 Boeing 747 |
| United Airlines. | – 88 Boeing 747 |
| Singapore Airlines. | – 79 Boeing 747 |
| Air France. | – 72 Boeing 747 |
| Korean Air Lines. | – 70 Boeing 747 |
| Pan Am. | – 65 Boeing 747 |
| Qantas. | – 65 Boeing 747 |
| Lufthansa. | – 62 Boeing 747 |
| Northwest Airlines. | – 62 Boeing 747 |
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