Boeing Axes Iconic 747 Jet Amid Shift to More Efficient Twin-Engines

The Boeing 747, once known as the 'Queen of the Skies', has been discontinued by Boeing. Launched in 1969, it was a huge step forward for long-haul airline travel, comfortably seating 400 passengers and flying farther than most other jets on the market at the time.

However, with advancements in technology and shifting airline needs, more efficient twin-engine jets like the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner became popular. These newer planes burned less fuel, cost less to maintain, and could fly point-to-point routes without needing massive hub airports.

The demand for the 747 passenger variants had already fizzled out by the 2010s, with most production shifting to freighter versions. In 2022, only five of these airplanes were being produced annually, down from a peak of 70 in its heyday.