After 54 years, Boeing’s iconic 747 program has officially come to an end. The final jet departed Everett’s Paine Field (PAE) for Cincinnati (CVG) at 08:19 PST, bound for a long life of cargo service with Atlas Air.

Long Live 'The Queen'

The final Boeing 747, registered as N863GT, set out on its five-hour journey early Wednesday morning following yesterday’s delivery. Tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts worldwide have tuned into FlightRadar24.com to follow the aircraft as it paints a crown fit for a queen across the sky over Washington. The jet is scheduled to land in Cincinnati shortly after midday local time.

On Tuesday, Boeing executives, original ‘incredibles’ staff members, family, and journalists descended upon Boeing’s Everett factory for a farewell ceremony for the Queen of the Skies. Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Stan Deal explained,

“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.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 in air cargo.”

Photo: Lukas Souza / Simple Flying

Simple Flying US Lead Journalist Lukas Souza was on the scene at Everett, covering yesterday’s ceremony and today’s departure. Exclusive images and videos from both events are accessible on Simple Flying’s media channels.

A brief look back

The jet airliners of the 1950s and 1960s may have made flying more convenient, but it is undoubtedly the 747 that shaped contemporary aviation. Capable of carrying over twice the capacity of the pioneering Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-8s, the first jumbo jet made international travel accessible for the working and middle classes with its drastically reduced seat costs.

The jet was initially envisioned as a heavy transport aircraft for the United States military during the early 1960s before being redesigned as a passenger plane to cater to the growing demand for overseas tourism.

Development and design were spearheaded by Chief Engineer Joe Sutter, supported by his team of 'incredibles' who made the concept a reality. A decal dedicated to Sutter, who passed in 2016, has been emblazoned on the side of the final 747, commemorating his work on the program.

The first of the type entered into service with now-defunct Pan Am in the 1970s, serving with the airline until its bankruptcy in 1991. Over the past 54 years, 1,574 747s have been constructed out of the custom-built Everett plant, serving with flag carriers, legacy airlines, and more recently, as a cargo workhorse.

Still to come

While a sad day for aviation, the 747 is predicted to remain in commercial service for at least 30 more years. Alongside Atlas Air, multiple 747s are still operated by cargo airlines, including UPS, Cargolux, and Kalitta Air, as well as passenger carriers Lufthansa, Korean Air, Air China, and Asiana Airlines.

Two additional 747s, designated VC-25B, are currently undergoing modification at Boeing's San Antonio facility ahead of delivery to the US Air Force (USAF) to serve as presidential transport. The pair were initially expected to join the USAF fleet in 2024, however, current estimates point towards delivery in mid-2025.

What are your thoughts on the end of the Boeing 747 program? Have you been following N863GT’slight online? Let us know in the comments.