Boeing says farewell to ‘Queen of the Skies’ with last 747 delivery

CNN — More than half a century since the original jumbo jet ushered in a glamorous new jet age, helping bring affordable air travel to millions of passengers, the last-ever Boeing 747 was delivered on Tuesday, marking the start of the final chapter for the much-loved airplane. Actor and pilot John Travolta, who narrated a series of videos chronicling the aircraft’s colorful history, appeared to thank the employees of Boeing for “the most well-thought-out and safest aircraft ever built.” While the final 747 won’t be carrying paying passengers, its delivery is another milestone for the distinctive double-decker “Queen of the Skies,” which revolutionized intercontinental travel while also appearing in James Bond films and even giving piggyback rides to the Space Shuttle. Boeing 747-8 Freighter: The last Boeing 747 left the company's widebody factory in Washington on December 6, 2022, ahead of its delivery to Atlas Air in early 2023. Paul Weatherman/Boeing Boeing 747: The last Boeing 747 commercial passenger jet to be delivered was in July 2017 -- a jumbo for Korean Air Lines. Boeing Best of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet: In pictures Prev Next World’s largest building The 747 has proven more popular among cargo operators.