back in 1971, freaking awesome, loved the chess lounge on the second deck.
That must have been an incredible experience. The early 70s, with an arms race among airlines for best lounges and amenities on 747s, DC-10s, etc., was a unique, short-lived era.
It's sad to see the last 747 roll off the line, but the Queen has been dying a slow death for a long time. The 747 will always be remembered as the airplane that democratized long haul air travel, as it really was the first aircraft to bring unit costs low enough to be affordable to the masses. Between that and its cargo prowess, and it's safe to say that the 747 was as much a catalyst as any other innovation for globalism in the 20th century and beyond. A true icon.
Flying in the nose (A-zone) and upper deck of the 747 are aviation experiences I'm glad to have had. Fortunately there are still opportunities to do so, for at least the next 5-10 years or so.
In 1964, the Air Force was looking for a large transport aircraft to replace the C-133 (Cargomaster). Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) proposed the winner, what later became the C-5 (Galaxy). Boeing proposed the CX-HLS which later became the commercial heavy hauler, 747. The Air Force picked the C-5, because it met all of the proposals requirements and costed less...
The Boeing CX-HLS was considered by many to be the superior aircraft, but the Galaxy was cheaper. The Galaxy was ( and still is) slightly larger (longer and wider) that the 747. Although many suspected cost was the deciding factor, the official reason was performance. The C-5 had a larger load capacity and takeoff gross weight allowance. Also, the C-5 had a more robust undercarriage, so it was able to operate on unimproved surfaces.
One thing about the military and contracting... if multiple systems meet all of the performance requirements, the deciding factor is usually lower cost (unless it can be proven that by paying a higher cost, it is a 'better value').
that the 747 was simply the sexiest passenger plane out there, and it's not likely one will surpass it.
Fleet Week in SF used to have an exhibition featuring a 747 flying super low near Alcatraz and performing hard banks above the Golden Gate Bridge. They replaced it with, I don't know, a 777 or some shit and it just wasn't the same.
was on a Delta 747-400, JFK to Tokyo several years back. I just signed up for a DoD contractor gig overseas and it was super important to fly comfortably in style for what would feel like a nerve wracking experience away.
Prior to that, I didn't care about aviation all that much, but since then became a bit of an enthusiast and have flown on all sorts of fancy planes like 777, 787, A380....still no A350 yet.
The 787 and A380 have smoother, quieter rides, and in the 380's instance, a larger/roomier accommodation in most cases.
I love them all, but nothing beats the first time, and the lower level of the 747 at the front of the plane is actually very roomy compared to the others, just because of the layout. It will always be my favorite flight ever, unlikely to be topped.
Only a few years after that flight, did I wonder what plane it actually was. I found the flight info on my gmail search and was blown away that it was a 747......made my day that that was what I flew on that day!
Was sad that they discontinued them on all the domestic carriers a few years back. British Airways, Lufthansa, and I believe Air Korea still use them, among other planes.
was on a Delta 747-400, JFK to Tokyo several years back. I just signed up for a DoD contractor gig overseas and it was super important to fly comfortably in style for what would feel like a nerve wracking experience away.
Prior to that, I didn't care about aviation all that much, but since then became a bit of an enthusiast and have flown on all sorts of fancy planes like 777, 787, A380....still no A350 yet.
The 787 and A380 have smoother, quieter rides, and in the 380's instance, a larger/roomier accommodation in most cases.
I love them all, but nothing beats the first time, and the lower level of the 747 at the front of the plane is actually very roomy compared to the others, just because of the layout. It will always be my favorite flight ever, unlikely to be topped.
Only a few years after that flight, did I wonder what plane it actually was. I found the flight info on my gmail search and was blown away that it was a 747......made my day that that was what I flew on that day!
Was sad that they discontinued them on all the domestic carriers a few years back. British Airways, Lufthansa, and I believe Air Korea still use them, among other planes.
Would be nice to ride them again.
Never flew the 747 but I did fly the simulator a couple of times. Such a docile jet. They don't make em like that anymore! The 747-8 is an absolute thing of beauty. Lufthansa will be flying them for awhile.
I've got about 2500 hours in the A319/A320. I'd love to do a stint in the 350 someday. Or the triple.
Just a lovely experience. Flew Concorde from Heathrow to JFK as a boy. Now that was the coolest plane I’ve ever flown on, but 747 trips are the best!
That must have been an incredible experience. The early 70s, with an arms race among airlines for best lounges and amenities on 747s, DC-10s, etc., was a unique, short-lived era.
It's sad to see the last 747 roll off the line, but the Queen has been dying a slow death for a long time. The 747 will always be remembered as the airplane that democratized long haul air travel, as it really was the first aircraft to bring unit costs low enough to be affordable to the masses. Between that and its cargo prowess, and it's safe to say that the 747 was as much a catalyst as any other innovation for globalism in the 20th century and beyond. A true icon.
Flying in the nose (A-zone) and upper deck of the 747 are aviation experiences I'm glad to have had. Fortunately there are still opportunities to do so, for at least the next 5-10 years or so.
In 1964, the Air Force was looking for a large transport aircraft to replace the C-133 (Cargomaster). Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) proposed the winner, what later became the C-5 (Galaxy). Boeing proposed the CX-HLS which later became the commercial heavy hauler, 747. The Air Force picked the C-5, because it met all of the proposals requirements and costed less...
The Boeing CX-HLS was considered by many to be the superior aircraft, but the Galaxy was cheaper. The Galaxy was ( and still is) slightly larger (longer and wider) that the 747. Although many suspected cost was the deciding factor, the official reason was performance. The C-5 had a larger load capacity and takeoff gross weight allowance. Also, the C-5 had a more robust undercarriage, so it was able to operate on unimproved surfaces.
One thing about the military and contracting... if multiple systems meet all of the performance requirements, the deciding factor is usually lower cost (unless it can be proven that by paying a higher cost, it is a 'better value').
Fleet Week in SF used to have an exhibition featuring a 747 flying super low near Alcatraz and performing hard banks above the Golden Gate Bridge. They replaced it with, I don't know, a 777 or some shit and it just wasn't the same.
Fleet Week 2017 - ( New Window )
Prior to that, I didn't care about aviation all that much, but since then became a bit of an enthusiast and have flown on all sorts of fancy planes like 777, 787, A380....still no A350 yet.
The 787 and A380 have smoother, quieter rides, and in the 380's instance, a larger/roomier accommodation in most cases.
I love them all, but nothing beats the first time, and the lower level of the 747 at the front of the plane is actually very roomy compared to the others, just because of the layout. It will always be my favorite flight ever, unlikely to be topped.
Only a few years after that flight, did I wonder what plane it actually was. I found the flight info on my gmail search and was blown away that it was a 747......made my day that that was what I flew on that day!
Was sad that they discontinued them on all the domestic carriers a few years back. British Airways, Lufthansa, and I believe Air Korea still use them, among other planes.
Would be nice to ride them again.
Prior to that, I didn't care about aviation all that much, but since then became a bit of an enthusiast and have flown on all sorts of fancy planes like 777, 787, A380....still no A350 yet.
The 787 and A380 have smoother, quieter rides, and in the 380's instance, a larger/roomier accommodation in most cases.
I love them all, but nothing beats the first time, and the lower level of the 747 at the front of the plane is actually very roomy compared to the others, just because of the layout. It will always be my favorite flight ever, unlikely to be topped.
Only a few years after that flight, did I wonder what plane it actually was. I found the flight info on my gmail search and was blown away that it was a 747......made my day that that was what I flew on that day!
Was sad that they discontinued them on all the domestic carriers a few years back. British Airways, Lufthansa, and I believe Air Korea still use them, among other planes.
Would be nice to ride them again.
Never flew the 747 but I did fly the simulator a couple of times. Such a docile jet. They don't make em like that anymore! The 747-8 is an absolute thing of beauty. Lufthansa will be flying them for awhile.
I've got about 2500 hours in the A319/A320. I'd love to do a stint in the 350 someday. Or the triple.