Why was the Boeing 747 such an important plane? In the late 1960s, air travel had become so popular that runways were getting crowded. The Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8 had revolutionized long-distance travel but the airlines needed something bigger. In 1965, Boeing set to work designing the world’s first jumbo jet: the 747.

Actually manufacturing a plane of this size challenged every part of the industry and the teething process set many standards still used today. The 747 had structural redundancy, redundant hydraulic systems, and four main landing gear. Airport terminals had to be enlarged in order to handle increased passenger and luggage loads. Boeing had to build a 200 million-cubic-foot assembly plant; by interior volume alone, that building was the the largest ever constructed.

On January 21, 1970, the first 747 passenger flight took place, from New York to London. Within 6 months, 747s had transported more than a million passengers and changed air travel forever. The aircraft has transported millions more since, but also space craft and even the President of the United States. Hit play to learn more.


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