THE QUEEN CROWNS THE SKIES

After more than half-a-century of production, the final 747 took a unique, crown-shaped flight path from its production facility before entering the Atlas Air fleet

- AYUSHEE CHAUDHARY

FOLLOWING A LEGACY OF 50 YEARS OF PRODUCTION, THE final 747, a 747-8 freighter, took off and departed Boeing with great fanfare. The final 747 left its birthplace in Everett, Washington, to join the all-Boeing fleet of Atlas Air, bringing its 747 fleet to 56. The final 747 took a unique, crown-shaped flight path on its way to Cincinnati, Ohio before entering the fleet. "It is certainly a fitting start to the next chapter for the airplane known far and wide as the Queen of the Skies," stated the manufacturer.

Boeing employees who designed and built the first 747, known as the "Incredibles," returned to be honored at the Everett factory where the journey of the 747 began in 1967. "This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that 'shrank the world, and revolutionised travel and air cargo as the first widebody. It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the 'Queen' will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo," said Stan Deal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 747 has played a key role in Boeing's history of aerospace leadership. After entering service in 1970, the iconic plane transformed global travel. As the world's first jumbo jet, the 747 laid the foundation for every twin aisle plane that followed-earning a place in the hearts of many airline operators, crew, passengers, and aviation enthusiasts around the world.