Boeing is delivering its last ever B747 to cargo airline Atlas Air today.
The final airplane, a B747-8 freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.
Boeing said in a press release on January 24: “Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump.”
The airframer will present a live webcast of the ceremony.
In December, the B747-8F left the company’s widebody factory in advance of delivery to Atlas Air.
This final aircraft will be used by Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) as part of its dedicated freighter operations through a partnership with lessor Atlas Air.
In total, the freight forwarder will charter two brand-new B747-8Fs from the lessor.
K+N previously said the aircraft would be utilised on transpacific services and also linked to its intra-Asia network to provide better connectivity in the growing Asia Pacific region.
Atlas Air ordered four new B747-8Fs in 2021, the last 747-8 freighters ever to be produced by Boeing, and took delivery of the previous aircraft in the order in 2022.
Engineer Joe Sutter visits the B747-400LCF Dreamlifter. Copyright: Boeing
The B747 has played a key role in Boeing’s history of aerospace leadership.
Production of the B747, the world’s first twin-aisle passenger airplane, began in 1967 and spanned 54 years, during which a total of 1,574 passenger and freighter aircraft were built.
Boeing Everett Assembly plant in 1969. Copyright: Boeing
Boeing received a total of 78 orders across its commercial freighter line in 2022.
This included 45 orders for the B767-300F and current B777F.
The company also launched the B777-8F with more than 50 orders, including conversions.
Final Boeing 747 leaves Everett Factory
Kuehne+Nagel takes delivery of dedicated B747 freighter
A last hurrah for the B747 as Atlas orders four more freighters
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