Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Aviation

Boeing 747

The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide-body commercial airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide-body commercial airliner developed by Boeing. First flown in 1969, it was the first wide-body airliner and became one of the most recognizable aircraft in aviation history.

What it is

The Boeing 747 is a twin-aisle, four-engine aircraft with a distinctive raised upper deck in the forward fuselage. It was designed for long-haul passenger service and later used in cargo and special-purpose roles. Major variants include the 747-100, 747-200, 747-400, and 747-8.

Why it matters

The 747 was the first wide-body airliner, making it a major milestone in commercial aviation. Its size and range made it especially important on long intercontinental routes, and it influenced airport infrastructure and wide-body operations in Canada.

Key details

Boeing built 1,574 747 aircraft between 1968 and 2023. The final 747s were built in 2023, ending production after more than 50 years. The 747-8 is the last and largest version of the family.

In short

  • First wide-body airliner, introduced in 1970.
  • Distinctive upper-deck hump made it highly recognizable.
  • Production ended in 2023 after 1,574 aircraft built.
  • Used for passenger, cargo, and special-purpose roles.
Canadian angle

The Boeing 747 was used on Canadian long-haul passenger and cargo routes and influenced airport infrastructure and wide-body operations in Canada. Canadian readers may also know it through major airlines, freight operators, and its role in international travel.

Quick questions

What is the Boeing 747?
The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide-body commercial airliner built by Boeing, introduced in 1970 and known for its upper-deck hump.
Why is the Boeing 747 called the “Jumbo Jet”?
It gained that nickname because of its exceptionally large size compared with earlier passenger aircraft.
When did the first Boeing 747 fly?
The first 747 flight took place on February 9, 1969.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747
    Supports: General description, first flight, wide-body status, production span, and aircraft type.
  2. Boeing — https://www.boeing.com/commercial/747-8
    Supports: Historical significance, total aircraft built, first wide-body claim, and 747-8 family context.
  3. AeroReport — https://aeroreport.de/en/good-to-know/boeing-747-queen-of-the-skies
    Supports: First flight date, production span, number built, and basic specifications.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747-8
    Supports: 747-8 as the final and largest member of the 747 family.