Boeing's 747SP Falls Short of Break-Even Target by One Plane

Boeing's 747SP, built to tackle long-haul routes, fell short of its break-even target by just one aircraft. The company delivered 44 planes between 1976 and 1982, but was unable to secure the 45th order needed to meet its financial goals.

The 747SP was designed with a shorter fuselage than the standard 747, cutting 48 feet off the length to reduce weight and extend range. However, rising fuel costs following the 1973 OPEC embargo made four-engine jets economically unviable.

Boeing's own 767, which entered service in 1982, offered comparable range with half the engines, undercutting the SP's niche. ETOPS rules later allowed twin-engine planes to fly transoceanic routes, sealing the 747SP's fate.