The Boeing 747 finally bows out

At the end of January, the last 747 rolled of the assembly line at Boeing Everett’s plant near Seattle after more than half a century since the original jumbo jet was introduced to the world, contributing in a great way to change the way we travel, not to mention the cost for doing so to passengers.

I remember flying for the first time inside that giant airplane between Montreal and Paris on a brand new Air France 747 in October of 1971. 

I have lost count on how many times I had a good night sleep, fully stretched out on the plane center row. Since that time, I must have flown hundreds of time in that remarkable aircraft. 

In total, Boeing has built 1547 model 747 and there are still more than 400 in service (mostly to carry air cargo like the very last delivered to Atlas Air) including 44 still transporting passengers. 

As always, when a page is being turned, it’s easy to feel a bit nostalgic. I won’t. This is just the march of progress and history in the making...