FIRST & LAST 747 FLIGHTS

By: Thomas M. Lee

Boeing 747

The Boeing 747 was developed in the 1960’s

The Boeing 707 (predecessor to the 747) could carry up to 219 passengers.

The first Boeing 747, often referred to by its original nickname, "Jumbo Jet" could carry up to 550 passengers.

It had to be developed within 28 months, which was 30% faster than usual even for a normal-sized jet, let alone an entirely new flying colossus.

Boeing ultimately built 1,500 B747s.

From 1970 until the 2007 introduction of Airbus’ A380, the B747 was the largest passenger carrier ever.

First 747 Customer

The first Airline to receive the Boeing 747-100 was Pan American World Airways in New York

The 747 Inaugural (first commercial) flight was covered by all media TV, Newspapers, Radio and Magazines

My Family on Inaugural flight of B747, Pan Am “Clipper Victor” New York to London January 21, 1970

First Pan Am B747 Aircraft Experiences a Flameout (Internal Explosion) in One Engine

During Take Off Roll

Take Off Aborted

A flameout refers to the run-down of a jet engine caused by the extinction of the flame in the combustion chamber. It can be caused by a number of factors, including fuel starvation, compressor stall, insufficient oxygen (at high altitudes) or severe inclement weather, mechanical failure and very cold ambient temperatures.

After returning to the terminal, the media was recording everything as passengers disembarked

the world’s first 747 after an aborted take-off. Inside the red circle are my parents.

Boeing had delivered the second 747 only the day before. Pan Am needed

considerable time to prepare the second aircraft since the

original aircraft would need to have the engine changed. They

boarded all 364 passengers onto seven 55 passenger

Greyhound buses and drove us from JFK Airport on the eastern

coast of New York to New Jersey for an Italian dinner.

Upon Return to JFK We arrived back at JFK six hours after original departure time 30 Passengers refused to board the aircraft out of fear Due to all the preparatory work needed to the 2nd 747, they did not

have time to move all catering supplies to the replacement aircraft Pan Am created an Inflight Buffet. We lined up in one aisle, went

through the galley, selected our food and returned to our seats down the other aisle (right photo)

Aircraft on ground in London

Original Certificate Inaugural

flight of B747 in 1970

Final United Airlines 747 Flight 47 Years Later – November 7, 2017

She was also know as “The Queen of the Skies!”

The original aircraft in 1970 that made the United Airlines maiden flight had been known as “Friend Ship.” Accordingly, United rebranded this final flight aircraft with the same name.

Once we arrived at gate 86 at San Francisco Airport, it was clear United Airlines had a great party planned for all

the lucky passengers on this final 747 flight. Lot’s of historical exhibits were displayed.

The theme was to be “retro” recreating the 1970 look and feel when the first B747 flew between

San Francisco and Honolulu

A 747 timeline covered the entire history of the aircraft. In January of 1970, at 17 years old, I had the good fortune of flying on the inaugural 747 flight.

Also joining this final 747 flight was an original Pan Am flight attendant in her uniform. United Airlines had

acquired many of the Pan Am international routes. Passengers on this last flight were deeply nostalgic

and emotional flying this final flight.

Passengers had the opportunity to write a message related to this “retirement party”

after 47 years of service

We brought along the framed original inaugural flight

certificates for the B747, A380 and B787

The media was recording everything as passengers shared their favorite stories & memories,

then embarked onto the last United 747 flight

Newspapers in San Francisco & Hawaii featured extensive coverage of this historic aviation event

Diana Cox was extremely proud to represent her father on this flight as her Dad had been the

Captain on the inaugural United Airlines 747 flight from San Francisco to Honolulu in 1970

Oscar Munoz, the CEO of United Airlines was having a fantastic time greeting the enthusiastic crowd and sharing stories

Oscar was extremely friendly and was clearly excited to participate in this great and fun event!

Our Captain David Smith

Oscar congratulated

passengers while boarding the

aircraft in San Francisco. There

was intense media coverage.

Some passengers took the 1970’s retro look quite

seriously and went over the top.

Several included cigarettes as part of their recreations as

smoking was acceptable

back then.

As the door was closed for the last

time on a 747 bound for

Hawaii, “Aloha” was shouted out.

Once aboard the aircraft,

wonderful gift bags were on

all seats including retro Coca-Colas.

Fun lapel buttons were abundant

United Airlines had published a series of publications regarding the 747 and it’s illustrious history

A special menu was created only for this final 747

flight with exactly the same

foods as were served on the original 1970 Hawaii flights

United Airline employees were very emotional about the end of an era for this magnificent aircraft. They wanted group photos to say

one last good-bye.

This wasn’t intended to be an ordinary flight. A great example was the flight

deviation to do a low level fly-by of the Golden Gate

Bridge soon after departure from SFO

Then, flight attendants passed out Champaign to every passenger aboard the flight in all cabins of the 747

The Captain made a terrific toast to the “Queen of the Skies” and everyone cheered and

enjoyed their Champaign

The flight attendants were in great spirits as

well, wearing their Hawaiian headdress

Beautiful orchids adorned food trays and the special Chefs on Board this farewell flight

As everything was “retro 1970,” the entertainment onboard was also.

One of the featured films on the big screen was “Grease.”

Joining us on this farewell journey was Tom Stuker, the United Airlines customer with the

most lifetime air miles totaling 18 million miles

Some passengers love making T-Shirts

with unique messages. Here is

one joining the farewell flight while

also celebrating his birthday.

My first reaction was this passenger has the most interesting and clever tattoos I had ever seen.

These are his exact passport visa stamps including the dates when he entered each country. Yes, he will continue adding them as his travels expand around the world.

One couple enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime. He proposed just prior to landing in Honolulu and

she accepted, all covered by the media

Luc Bondar, Vice President of Loyalty had just started his new job on November 1st, one week before this historic flight. Luc gave the newly engaged couple free round trip

tickets anywhere in the world they would choose to take their honeymoon.

This former Pan Am stewardess (left) gave a Hawaiian prayer over the aircraft public address system while these United cabin crew (right) got passes to fly on this iconic aircraft’s final flight

and wore farewell T-Shirts

These ladies were the only two former Pan Am flight attendants that worked this last 747 flight at United Airlines. In legacy Pan Am tradition, they presented us with a bottle of Champaign

to enjoy in Honolulu during our stay.

It was time for the cabin crew

to say their fond farewells to the

“Queen!”

As if by divine intervention, our assigned seats had us as the only passengers seated in the very last row of the aircraft making us the final two passengers in history to land on the farewell United Airlines 747 flight

The front door of the aircraft opened to great fanfare as the Honolulu ground crew greeted us with cheers of joy!

Our Emotional Captain After His Final 747 Landing

United Ground crews gently positioned a giant orange lei over the 747 welcoming her to Hawaii

A United Captain places leis on arriving

cabin crew and passengers. Final

farewell photos and speeches were made at Honolulu Airport by

local dignitaries. Everyone was in a terrific mood as we

said our final good-byes