A big Boeing tribute to the queen, 747

If one takes a look back at the aviation industry, particularly at commercial airplanes that have made their mark in history, it is easy to see why the Boeing 747 or the Jumbo Jet as it is fondly called, is one of the most beloved aircraft. Over the years, the Jumbo Jet has also been known as the Queen of the Skies, and deservedly so.
Image source: theconversation.com

Image source: CNET.com

For this blog and as a tribute to the 747, Captain Alexis Fecteau shares some interesting facts about the Jumbo Jet.

The 20-hour flight: Back in 1989, the Boeing 747-400 completed a 20-hour flight from London to Sydney. This flight had been long thought of, with discussions of it lingering until today, more than 30 years later.

The original design: The Jumbo Jet’s lead designer Joe Sutter had teamed up with Juan Trippe to create a plane with two decks. It was supposed to be the 747. However, the lower ceiling height of the deck allowed for less cargo, and emergency evacuation would have been problematic.

The unmatched speed: It may come as a surprise to many aviation enthusiasts that the Jumbo Jet is still the fastest commercial plane in the world, beating out all the newer models. It has a top speed of 650 MPH and can get people from New York to London in less than five hours.

Follow Captain Alexis Fecteau for more interesting facts on the Queen of the Skies in future blogs.

Professional pilot and engineer Captain Alexis Fecteau is the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets. Visit this blog for more Boeing-related articles.

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