The Last 747s
Anyone who has ever traveled with me knows that I'm a bit of an airplane junkie.
Not much has changed since I was a kid, when I’d look up in the sky at the sound of a plane—squinting to see if I could make out how many engines it had. I keep several airplane models in my office, each with its own story. It's not unusual for my wife to get texts from me with airplane pictures. And when she responds with something like "Why are you sending me another airplane picture,” I get to say: "OMG, how can you not recognize Lufthansa’s new livery?"
My favorite plane of all time is the Boeing 747. It's nothing short of an audacious and unimaginable feat of engineering. Fully loaded, the latest version of the 747 has a maximum takeoff weight just shy of one million pounds. Yet watching one take off is so civilized and elegant, as if it’s happening in slow motion. It's like the engineers poked a fight with the law of gravity—and won.
Recently, Boeing announced the end of the line—the last four 747s have been sold to a cargo company and will roll off the line by next year. It's bittersweet. I remember my first trip on one of these legendary vehicles like it was yesterday, and I’ll miss these beautiful jumbos when they disappear from the sky. On the other hand … the retirement of the 747 creates room for new innovation, and for new planes to make it on to my aviation bucket list.
Can you tell I’m eager to get back in the air?
Chairman, President & CEO
4 年Loved those planes
I miss the travel too!
Senior Communication Professional
4 年I, too, am an airplane junkie. My favorite plane was the Lockheed L1011 Tristar. Spacious, chubby, a party in the air. I loved it. One time I sat behind Dikembe Mutombo on an L1011 and with a bit of a stretch, he put something in his overhead bin without getting out of his seat. I marveled. Obviously he was on the first row to accommodate his long legs. Travel memories are the best memories. Nat Geo TV did a wonderful documentary on the genesis and production of the 747, a near disaster for Boeing from the get-go. But what a glorious plane borne from faith, courage, and a few bucks. Hate to see it go the way of the L 1011.
Mark - I got to work on ( one time ) Air Force One, tail # 26000, the plane used by JFK/LBJ in the 1960s at Bergstrom AFB. I still keep several models of that airplane and others around - I am also an airplane junkie.
Here's to getting back out there soon ??