Done with “Queen of the Skies”
Last jumbo jet 747 goes to Switzerland!
It’s over after more than 50 years: The US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has handed over its last 747 jumbo jet to the Swiss logistics group Kühne+Nagel.
Published: 02/01/2023 at 00:00
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Updated: 8:29 am
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The “Queen of the Skies”, the Boeing 747, on its maiden flight on February 9, 1969 from the production facility in Everett, USA. (archive image)
The end of the «queen of the skies». The aircraft manufacturer Boeing is ending its jumbo jet production. The company celebrated farewell on Tuesday (local time) at the Boeing plant in Everett near Seattle. Board member Stan Deal (57) spoke of an “aircraft that changed the world forever”.
Boeing had already announced the end of production in 2020 due to a lack of demand. Overall, Boeing made 1574 copies of the giant aircraft. The airlines now prefer smaller and more economical machines with two instead of four engines.
Maiden flight 1969
What was once the largest passenger jet in the world completed its maiden flight in 1969, and around a year later the first example went into scheduled service with the then US airline Panam.
With the latest variant 747-8, which has a longer upper deck, new wings and more economical engines and offers space for more than 600 passengers, Boeing was only able to score points with a few airlines.
Last jet goes to Swiss logistics group
The last giant Boeing 747 aircraft ever built has been taken over by the logistics group Kühne+Nagel. Its daughter Apex will use the “queen of the air” on the transpacific routes, as stated in a statement on Wednesday.
After half a century of production, the last Boeing 747-8F named Empower was unveiled to the public during an official ceremony in Seattle, according to the communiqué. Kuehne+Nagel is chartering the Empower and the previously acquired Inspire from Atlas Air. (nim/SDA)