Sniff... A little sad about a farewell to 747

[smacrumon]

"Boeing warns it might stop making the 747 entirely. Although plenty will remain in service, the passing of the iconic jet cuts close."
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/i-miss-the-747-already/

The 747 design dates back to the mid 1960's.

The prototype 747 was first displayed to the public on September 30, 1968.​

 

[b0fh666]

they surely knew their suff at that time...

 

[quagmire]

And the A380 will join it in the grave soon enough. Super Jumbo's are a dying breed. As sad as it is, Boeing owned the market to its death. And Boeing is the reason for its death due to the creation of the 777 and 787.

they surely knew their suff at that time...

They still do. They went in the right direction with focusing on the 787 where Airbus went with the A380.

They just unfortunately messed up the way they developed the 787 with outsourcing everything which lead to problems and thus delays.

Unfortunately as well while Boeing was planning its 737 replacement, Airbus came out with the A320neo and Boeing had to respond with the MAXX because a true replacement wouldn't been out soon enough to go against the neo. Thus pushing the 737 replacement to the 2030's. Because while Boeing owns the wide body market, they desperately need a new airframe to be really competitive in the narrow body market.

 

[impulse462]

747 was the first plane my dad showed me when i first went to an airport. always thought it looked totally badass and i'm sad to see it go. but that is the nature of technology which should be embraced.

 

[cube]

747 and A380 are not in the same league:

- 747: Jumbo
- A380: Super Jumbo

The article has a Seattle bias, as expected.

 

[monokakata]

The 747 is special to me because of the way I first encountered one.

I was at the end of a fieldwork stint on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific (now part of Papua New Guinea).

I started my trip on foot, walked a couple of hours to a grass/dirt airstrip and got into a Cessna (182?). Flew across the island and got onto a Fokker F27 (twin turboprop) and flew to the capital city Port Moresby, where I got on a 727 and flew to Sydney where there was, you guessed it, a 747. I had read about them but was not prepared for how large it was.

So that was my progression and that's why 747s are special to me.

 

[satcomer]

My best flight was in the 747 flying from Detriot to Osaka Japan!

 

[cube]

I have 2 best flights:

- Mood lighting and electronic shades on brand new 787 herringbone 1-2-1, 1-side.
- Feet space on brand new herringbone 1-2-1 interior of 777, 1-side.

No A380, A350, or 747-8i available on my sort of convenient routes yet.

 

[cube]

The electronic shades technology is not fully developed: it should be "slow to open, immediate to close", not just slow.

And it should provide complete opaqueness.

And above all, it should be reliable.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Just saw a documentary about the 747 that had an interesting tidbit.Seems It was designed mainly with freight in mind because at the time everyone thought the future was supersonic aircraft.So they covered their bets by making an airliner that was great for passengers but had all the features needed for the freight market. Talk about a home run!

 

[cube]

Just saw a documentary about the 747 that had an interesting tidbit.Seems It was designed mainly with freight in mind because at the time everyone thought the future was supersonic aircraft.So they covered their bets by making an airliner that was great for passengers but had all the features needed for the freight market. Talk about a home run!

http://www.airways.ch/files/2005/0805/001/boeing-airbus-freighter.htm

 

[ucfgrad93]

My family flew on a British Airways 747 when we went to see my daughter in Spain this past Christmas. Very comfortable and enjoyable trip.

 

[JamesMike]

There are 747s and there is Air Force 1! I rode on it and was very impressed.

 

[ucfgrad93]

There are 747s and there is Air Force 1! I rode on it and was very impressed.

You flew on Air Force One? Sweet! How did you get so lucky?

 

[JamesMike]

You flew on Air Force One? Sweet! How did you get so lucky?

I was doing close protection for a VIP riding with the President.

 

[monokakata]

When the President is on Oahu, the backup 747 is parked at the rather small Hilo Airport. You come around a turn and whoa! There it is, literally a stone's throw away (if you have a strong arm).

 

[MacNut]

When the President is on Oahu, the backup 747 is parked at the rather small Hilo Airport. You come around a turn and whoa! There it is, literally a stone's throw away (if you have a strong arm).

I bet the SS gets to you before your arm goes over your shoulder.

 

[monokakata]

I'm sure that it's well-protected. But I never see anybody obviously on guard, which is always a surprise.

 

[PracticalMac]

More hype than actual.

If they close it is due to bad marketing, not market.

 

[cube]

It is refreshed 50-year old technology squeezed by 777 below and A380 above.

 

[quagmire]

More hype than actual.

If they close it is due to bad marketing, not market.

It's the market. Airlines prefer the twin engine planes like the 777, 787, A350, and A330 now than the jumbo's for their better fuel efficiency.

Wouldn't be surprised to see the 747 line shut down once Boeing delivers the VC-25 replacements. The A380 should have paid for itself years ago, but still hasn't due to slow orders. Emirates is the only airline right now wanting Airbus to do an A380neo. Other than them, others are cutting their A380 orders or outright cancelling them. Wouldn't be surprised to see the A380 go out of production either within the next decade.

 

[Gav2k]

They will still be in service in 20 years time so no sniff sniff from me.

 

[PracticalMac]

It's the market. Airlines prefer the twin engine planes like the 777, 787, A350, and A330 now than the jumbo's for their better fuel efficiency.

Wouldn't be surprised to see the 747 line shut down once Boeing delivers the VC-25 replacements. The A380 should have paid for itself years ago, but still hasn't due to slow orders. Emirates is the only airline right now wanting Airbus to do an A380neo. Other than them, others are cutting their A380 orders or outright cancelling them. Wouldn't be surprised to see the A380 go out of production either within the next decade.

Not every market is served by efficiency. There are plenty of routs that need capacity, not efficiency.
There is a finite number of gates, and the air-traffic system is near capacity.

 

[quagmire]

Not every market is served by efficiency. There are plenty of routs that need capacity, not efficiency.
There is a finite number of gates, and the air-traffic system is near capacity.

And both Boeing and Airbus are looking at ways to stretch the 777/A330/A350 to increase capacity.

But you're right, in terms of routes that need capacity, the A380 is winning the battle, just its competing for a ever shrinking market. The A380 will remain in production most likely longer than the 747. I just don't see it remaining in production for much longer much less to the 2030's. Like I said, Emirates is the only airline right now fighting to keep it in production.

 

[cube]

Fuel efficiency is not everything. The A380 can be the cheapest widebody to operate if it's properly used. It is Emirates' most profitable plane.

The densest configuration currently operating is 615 pax out of 850 max.

It has a long future ahead with stretch and neo.