EVERETT,
Wash., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing
[NYSE: BA] and Atlas Air Worldwide [Nasdaq: AAWW] joined thousands
of people – including current and former employees as well as
customers and suppliers – to celebrate the delivery of the final
747 to Atlas, bringing to a close more than a half century of
production.
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. The factory produced 1,574 airplanes over the life
of the program.
"This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing
employees who brought to life the airplane that 'shrank the world,'
and revolutionized travel and air cargo as the first widebody,"
said Stan Deal, president and chief
executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "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."
"We are honored to continue our long history of flying this
iconic aircraft for our customers around the world," said
John Dietrich, president and chief
executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. "Atlas Air was founded over
30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter, and since
then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type
of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo
Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. We are
grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality,
innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure
the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft
for decades to come."
As the first twin-aisle airplane and "jumbo jet," the "Queen of
the Skies" enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances
and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. Its development
solidified Boeing's role as an industry leader in commercial
aviation. The airplane's core design with its distinctive hump and
seating in the upper deck has delighted generations of passengers
and operators alike. Boeing continued to improve on the original
design with models like the 747-400 in 1988 and the final 747-8
model that was launched in 2005; across all the models, the jet has
delivered unmatched operating economics and efficiency to travel
and air cargo markets.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops,
manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products
and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a
top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global
supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and
community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating
for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a
culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and
integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at
boeing.com/careers.
Contact
media@boeing.com
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SOURCE Boeing