A Sad Day in Aviation History

Yesterday, the very last 747 rolled off Boeing's assembly line. 

It is almost impossible to describe the sense of wonder we had in 1968 when the 747 took flight. This giant bird was a wonder. 

The story of that last plane is here. 

For me, the most important 747 was 747 Braniff Place, which we took on our honeymoon to Hawaii.

Braniff Foundation

In that era, airlines named their long-distance planes in the same way cruise lines named their ships. I loved the 747 so much that, when I saw, on a given route, that I had an opportunity to fly it -- even if it was at an odd time or on a less desirable airline -- I would choose the 747.

It was a thrill when Boeing had two 747's turned into Air Force One in Wichita. We'd go outside to watch them fly over our home. 

None of the U.S. airlines still fly them. It marks the end of the four engine aircraft, even though the four engines would allow the plane to fly faster, which I thought the airlines would find desirable far into the future. 

So, if you have a chance to fly a 747, take it before they all go away.