My father was a flight engineer on the old "classic" 747's, the 100 and 200 series, so we were lucky enough to go away with him on lots of flights. My first memory was back in the 70's when flew from Heathrow to Miami. Lots more 747 flights followed. A lovely aircraft.
I worked for KLM for 43 years at Heathrow and my first 747 flight was on a BOAC 100 series from Heathrow to Kingston, Jamaica in 1974. I still remember what a thrill it was boarding this gigantic Queen of the skies. Such beautiful aircraft. So sad they are disappearing.
An interesting thing about 747s is that the “hump” size has changed over the generations on the passenger versions, but not on the freighters. Originally, passenger and freighter -100 and -200 versions had the exact same silhouette, only the lack of windows would tell them apart. When the -300 and -400 versions came out, the upper deck on the passenger planes had been stretched by 7 meters. The freighter versions, however, remained the same. When the -8 version came out the hump was stretched an additional 4.1 meters, but again, only on the passenger version. The freighter continues to have the short upper deck of the “classic”, leading to very different silhouettes of the -8. By the way, the inly reason the 747 even has an upper deck is that Boeing was competing in the large strategic airlifter program for the US Air Force (the Lockheed C-5 won) and needed to move the flight deck up, so the plane can be loaded via the front, a feature that ended up making it a most popular freighter. Passenger airlines didn’t really want a hump and didn’t know what to do with it originally.
And the 747SP enabled Boeing to stretch the deck on the -300 onward. They basically had to design a new fuselage segment because on the SP the hump ended over the leading edge of the wing root. Boeing found that the aerodynamics actually worked better that way, so they implemented the new segment on the -300 thereby stretching the hump.
Jeb: I flew a Pan Am 747 from LAX to Caraccas Venezuela. Back in the '70s, Pan Am gave the entire first class access upstairs for the main meal. Upstairs, they had legitimate linen-covered tables, china plates and lead-crystal goblets. The chairs faced in towards the tables. I had the rack of lamb, cooked on-board. So cool!!! So many american carriers figure you don't need "first-class" service when you are rewarded with giant seats. Recently, on my way to Chicago, I took American Airlines, first class. It was nice but nothing like a gourmet dinner served in style! I enjoy your videos. Marc
I’ve never seen a 747 in person though I have flown on the A380 from Miami - England. I can’t really remember it ‘til now. Still it was a great flight despite me sitting economy
Flying as kids from the east coast to Hawaii on vacation on a 747 in the 1970's. A spiral staircase led upstairs to a lounge. People were smoking and drinking, it was fascinating and fun for us kids. The Glory Days!
My first was on December 1973 on a 747 PanAm from Frankfort to Dulles airport. I was in the army stationed at Bamberg Germany going home for my 30 day vacation. I was enjoying the massive plane. I asked the Steward back then that’s what the were called please Don’t call them that now. She told me I could go upstairs. Since I was asking and a serviceman. It was iconic. Very nice and a person asked ne what you doing fella & I ‘m seeing how the other half live.. he offered to buy a drink but I passed and went back my seat.
Jeb, you're absolutely right, flying upstairs on a 74 is something very special, almost feels like flying in a private jet... I had the joy to fly a few times on the upper deck with British Airways 747-400, that was fun, besides the tiny lavatory 🙂
When my parents moved to Paris when I was in college in the mid 80s we got to fly business class over with them. I was really hoping we would be on a 747 but ended up on an L-1011. Great thing was that my parents, my brother and I were the only ones in Business class from Atlanta to Paris. Was pretty cool then. I can't imagine a Delta flight now that's not fully packed.
The 747 was in fact the first plane I ever travelled on, back when I was only 4 months old from SFO to FRA on a Lufthansa 747-400. While not remembering that flight, I do remember flying the -8 with Lufthansa and watching the 2 beautiful engines during takeoff. I absolutely love this beast and have so many great memories involving her!!!
my first flight on a 747-400 was when i was 4, going from FRA to SFO which was a one way flight for me as i now live near SFO thought it was funny how similar our two flights were :)
Jeb I started watching your channel a little over a year ago and have become a total Aviation enthusiast! My fiancé and I are taking our first 747 flight next month Chicago-Frankfurt flying Business class upstairs! All because of your videos! Thank you for introducing us to the Aviation enthusiast world!!! 🙂
@Jeb Brooks Just thoroughly enjoying and continual improvement of some kind of other is what counts the most. For instance, if YOU'RE thoroughly enjoying yourself, everyone will enjoy what you do. I wrote a different comment here soon after finding your channel and after seeing many more of your videos was going to replace it with this comment, but can't even find it now. Cheers!
I started flying the 747 in early 1990's. I did the trip every 3 weeks and always reserved upstairs exit seat 15A or B. I did this trip for about 10 yrs. After awhile I knew the crew and they knew me. Best travel time in my life!
My first, and only, 747 experience was back in '85 when I returned from London to LAX on Easter Sunday. I think there were maybe 12 people on this enormous plane! I remember it being a super smooth flight. My fondest memory though was when the flight attendant first approached me and with a tray of beers ... she described the three beers available, then asked which I would like. Before I could answer, she said "oh, here - just take them all!" I was in college at the time ... pretty much thought I had died and gone to heaven! 😃
Is it just me or does someone know how all these ppl- Jeb/Sam/nonstop Dan/ trek trendy- all fly what appears to be business or first class like multiple times a week? Would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
My first 747 flight was the first flight I can remember. I was flying at 10 years old as an unaccompanied minor from San Francisco to Seoul, Korea on Korean Air. Talk about an adventure! Great crew, too.
My first 747 flight was also my first ever flight! In 1989 I flew from Manchester UK to Toronto with Ward Air. Our seats were right in the nose of the plane, under the pilot. We joked we arrived at YYZ just before the Captain did as we were sitting ahead of him. Absolutely love the 747 & have flown in it many times since, in economy & business. KLM, NorthWest, United, BA, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, Air Canada... So much love for these Jumbos🤗✈
A few decades ago, my first flight on a 747 was on Continental Airlines departing Newark, NJ to Seattle, Washington. Truly an awe inspiring plane and I was amazed at how big these planes are. Best plane EVER!
I have only flown in a 747 once in my life and that was when I was coming home from Vietnam. The flight was filled entirely with service people. I was one of the last to board the aircraft and they placed me in the first class section. So needless to say I was amazed at the size and comfort of it. It was a great ride.
I've read that one thing most of you serving missed out on when you got home is "Welcome home". Thanks for your service. I was about 5 during that era.
My first 747 flight was on "Clipper Young Amerrica" on a special Pan Am flight from Washington Dulles for about an hour and return to Dulles in 1969. The 747 holds a special place in my memory because I met my wife on a Northwest 747 from Dulles to Seattle. She's from Everett, Washington, and I've been through the big Boeing plant several times.
Another great video! I was 10 years old in 1975 when I took my first 747 - a gorgeous Northwest Orient flight from MSP to LAX. I still remember it. I also still remember the outbound flight a week earlier on their stunning DC-10 Srs 40. It was a red eye out of LAX at 1:55 AM, and they served a giant corned beef sandwich as the 'midnight snack' - in Coach! Like their old ad said: "Those who know go Northwest Orient!"
@@MarmiteMogul They did, 3-3 layout. I believe Rossiya Airlines in Russia outfitted their 747s in all economy, including up top. I’m sure you can find videos of that..
@@GoogleAviationProductions To me, it was like sitting in a cinema full of people and then the thing starts moving and tips up as it takes off. Weird but amazing at the same time.
I didn't even know a 747 was used for that route. I bet it was such an amazing experience and must have been high volume at the time. Thanks for sharing. 👍
My first 747 flight was incredible! I'll never forget it because it was on N661US from ATL to HNL. This what right after the northwest delta merger so the aircraft was freshly painted but still had the Northwest white pod business class seats. Very surreal when I stepped on board again a couple years ago at the Delta flight museum. Awesome memories!!!
Greatest plane to fly on internationally. My first was Atlanta to Johannesburg in 2000, 15 hours and 15 minutes. Since then I've flown on Qantas and KLM 747s. One roundtrip I'll never forget, LAX to Brisbane and back. No turbulence in either direction. Sure, it's a product of good weather, but the 747, in my experience, provided the smoothest of flights no matter what the condition. She's the reason I fell in love with commercial aircraft as a kid!
Another brilliant video mate - that footage of the aircraft at Frankfurt Airport is simply stunning. A great tribute to the magnificent 747. Been lucky to fly the Queen many times but have cherished it every single time. Your assessment of Lufthansa is spot on. Can't believe they served that second lighter meal in a foil tray in business class.
@@GreenerGrass that is very true. I've only ever flown lufthansa in 2019 and 2022 airbus 330-300 and 747-400 or 747-8 I don't remember which 747 tbh. First international flight outside of continental was great so I don't know if I just had my expectations too high for this last one.
@@GreenerGrass 747s are my favorite, too! Wow, did you see the first episode of the first season of Leverage: "The Nigerian Job"? Partially because of your extremely reserved attitude, after you showed the delicious food available in the 1st Class airport lounge in Germany, included in 1st Class tickets, before boarding a 747, 1st Class, and you chose to eat a pretzel, pure carbs that definitely doesn't taste good, I thought of that episode of Leverage It's VERY good & available to watch for free on the completely free, high quality streaming service IMDb TV owned by Amazon. Near the end, of that 1st episode, when the team is walking & about to meet at their beautiful outdoor meeting place to collect their equal shares checks for their first job of ~$34,765,500 each, still wearing their super high quality covert, bone conducting ear buds, when their leader mentions that Sophie spent about $10,000 of their target sheister's bribe payout to buy some really nice shoes, the blonde (tomboy) Parker, says, "What's up with women and shoes? And Sophie says, "There's something wrong with you." Elliot says, "That's what I said." (Of course, there's nothing wrong with being a fearless tomboy, and nothing wrong with prefering to have the least amount of shoes because of it, it's an advanced quality, and there could be sentimental value to a pretzel, but I've already gotten the impression from your videos that you're so reserved, you hardly allow yourself to enjoy things. So that's what I said about you, at that point..I mean there must have been at least a delicious croissant with less calories than that pretzel, the least healthy food there IS, (Google that), and no pretzels on Earth taste good. Why does a guy get to travel 1st class around the world who doesn't even allow himself to enjoy it? It's almost like you're not fully alive or something, allowing yourself to really enjoy the possibilities. Maybe, if you watch a few 1st class flights & 1st class sleeper-car train rides on LivingBobby channel & a little of his super ENJOYING attitude rubs off on you, your true self & true enjoyment will start coming out & your higher level of enjoyment will make your videos much more enjoyable to watch! If you don't allow yourself to enjoy things, it's harder for US to vicariously enjoy what's there via your experience, leading to us trying out similar experiences ourselves! One time I fell asleep watching one of LivingBobbie's video tours of a big ferry ship from Japan to Korea, and dreamed I was running around with him on that ship tour & laughing & enjoying everything just like he was. Then he disappeared and I back tracked to all the places we had just been on that ship, but couldn't find him -- (he does tend to move pretty fast). Then I woke up and realized the video had ended, so his voice had stopped. Unlike so many deadbeat 1st class tours of planes & trains, his videos are SO enjoyable to watch because he really ENJOYS all the wonderful good things so much more than the average person. (He's even MORE fun to hang out with in person.) Because he's so enjoyable to watch, he only has to make 1 video per month. He got a lovely French girlfriend that started taking some trips with him. She didn't know how to act at first, clashing with his style, and I said, "Just copy him & act & talk like he does, adding your lovely French style to it, and you'll be perfect! She did, and they really are perfect together. I hope they get married, because they really are great together! Anyway, Enjoy!! Cheers! 😉😀🌠
I grew up in Anchorage, so these are very common to me. First, they were often used for the flights to the lower 48 when I was a child in the 70's and 80's and you always dreaded getting one of the middle seats. Now they are very common to see at the airport for all the cargo flights through ANC. It will be sad when they are no more.
My first 747 was Qantas LAX to Sydney in June 2001. It was memorable for many reasons, but I was supposed to be on a flight the day prior which I missed due to weather in Dallas. Anyway, on this flight, we were about 2/3 across, when you're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean far away from practically anything. The alarm went off on the plane saying that the cabin was losing pressure and oxygen masks would deploy. The Flight Attendants got everyone buckled in and it was a bit nervewracking but nobody panicked. A minute later one of the pilots came on the intercom and apologized. He had bumped the alarm button by mistake!
My very first Qantas B747-400 flight was on QF12 (LAX-SYD) and QF43 (SYD-AKL) back in November of 1993. Both sectors were on the same aircraft (VH-OJM) with a 3 hour stopover in SYD, and I found the just shy of 15 hours nonstop (on QF12) was more than enough to handle (in the economy cabin). I don't know how the economy class passengers on the PER-LHR nonstop flights will survive. If QF uses the B787's, I believe those aircraft will still have the 9-across seating (3 x 3 x 3) in the back.😬😬😬
Yo i feel like doing this so The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. After introducing the 707 in October 1958, Pan Am wanted a jet 2+1⁄2 times its size, to reduce its seat cost by 30%. In 1965, Joe Sutter left the 737 development program to design the 747. In April 1966, Pan Am ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft, and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop the JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the world's largest building by volume. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the 747 was certified in December of that year. It entered service with Pan Am on January 22, 1970. The 747 was the first airplane called a "Jumbo Jet" as the first wide-body airliner. Boeing 747 A 747-200 in Iberia livery in flight, over land Boeing 747-200 of Iberia (1980) Role Wide-body jet airliner National origin United States Manufacturer Boeing Commercial Airplanes First flight February 9, 1969 Introduction January 22, 1970, with Pan Am Status In service Primary users Atlas Air Lufthansa Cargolux UPS Airlines Produced 1968-2023 Number built 1,574 (including prototype) Variants Boeing 747SP Boeing 747-400 Boeing 747-8 Boeing VC-25 Boeing E-4 747 Supertanker Developed into Boeing Dreamlifter Boeing YAL-1 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft SOFIA The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates
I flew to Frankfurt by myself at the age of 15 on a Lufthansa 747. It was my first flight ever! 747 will always be my favorite plane! I still have my boarding pass!
My first 747 flight was in December 2019, only months before BA retired their whole fleet. JFK-LHR upstairs right behind the cockpit. What an experience! My girlfriend hates flying especially long haul and I could hardly get her off the aircraft once we landed.. unfortunately the 747 has since been scrapped but I managed to get my hands a key ring made from the window of our very aircraft. So sad not to see the 747’s in LHR anymore, you can feel there’s somethings missing!
Congrats on flying on her. I guess my first flight on a 747 was when I first started working for Northwest Airlines back around 20 years ago. I flew from Detroit to Narita. I wanted to experience the Orient and though I didn't fly in business class to Japan, I was able to do it on the return trip. It was a trip I'll never forget.
This proves that international long-haul travel is finally back! I would love to see an A220-100/200/300 or BCS1/2/3 from Seattle to Orange County with Delta airlines. It is a special flight because there are nonstop views throughout the flight if there are no clouds. Also, the Orange County airport runway is small which results in a considerable amount of pilot skill to be put to the test. I flew this same route but with Alaska, and the pilot told me that he was super close to going around at the end because of the wind gust.
I loved my first 747 flight. I went from Rome to Frankfurt on an Airbus A321-neo and then from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on a 747-8. I flew on Lufthansa for both flights. I’ll never forget them
My first 747 fight was August of 1985, flying from Rome to JFK on a Pan-Am. What an incredible experience for a 14-year-old kid. My family and got bumped up to first class at the last second. In the 80's, first class was incredible! I had the first four windows on the left-hand side of the aircraft on the first level to myself! As soon as we got on board they served me champagne! Awesome!
Another lovely vlog, Jeb. My first flight was from London Heathrow to Sydney, Australia, back in 1986. My father worked for British Airways, and was able to upgrade me to Club Class (business class on BA), for the whole journey. A mind boggling 26 hours, and 3 stops! Club Class was on the upper deck, and back then, it was a 747-200. It held only no more than 18 pax. It really felt like being in a small club, hence the Club Class name.
Great video, I like how you covered each area thoroughly. I've flown both the 747 and A380, and I don't think the A380 is that much of a difference as you made out. The 747's look is unquestionably iconic, so it wins that category. But the A380 is a wonderful airplane and sitting in the upper deck is a truly unique experience. I actually couldn't tell when the aircraft left the runway on takeoff, and I didn't feel a single bounce when it landed. The A380 I flew was British Airways out of Heathrow, non-stop to San Francisco, and I flew World Traveler Plus, better-known as Premium Economy. We didn't get a fully-reclining seat, but had great meals, great drinks, and great service. In fact, we had the same pre-landing menu as you did: I loved the Aubergine (eggplant) parmigiana. Also, we got a nice jetway to the upper deck from the gate, and didn't have to climb stairs from the tarmac. I hope we never have to do that!
My experience i had with emirates A380 business class and it was amazing because i love the interior and also the space too. They even have mini bar in our seat❤
Thanks Jeb for all your easy-going, not snobby trip reports! Also flying the 747-8 is amazing. Thanks for the fond memories. You do a great job! Cody- Missoula, Montana
Four year old, emigrating from Northern Ireland to Canada. Flew to Heathrow and then boarded a 747 to Montreal. I have always remembered it. A spiral staircase I was thrilled to climb and a nice lounge. That day, I had turned 4 and it was the first time I had been on an airplane. I was fascinated by that plane. Will never forget it 🌻
Great videos, Jeb! My first memory of 747 is a throwback. As a kid, we went annually to visit family in San Juan, Puerto Rico. TWA was always the choice and normally it was a 747 from JFK to SJU! I miss the 747 on domestic routes!
My guess is that you had a “last minute” aircraft change due to maintenance issues and the available aircraft was at a remote stand, so they could either swap them via towing, which would take over an hour or simply bus you there.
@@lvthudSure, but in this case the gate he was departing from had the right aircraft for the flight without another flight departing from it, and they were still bussed to a remote stand. Your comment doesn’t explain this specific situation.
@@afcgeo882 How do you know another flight was not departing from it ? LH have the Tokyo and Joburg flights leaving around the same time as LH400, all using a 747-8. Anyways, without knowing the day they took the flight there is no way of really knowing and we are discussing a non issue. Next time I run into Jeb if I remember I will ask him.
@@lvthud You can see it from the shot of the gate area. Plus you don’t get two 747 flights scheduled at the same gate. This isn’t a downstairs bus gate. Keep in mind that the US and Canada bound gates at FRA are separate from others as required for security measures.
The UD F/A position in my days of being a TWA F/A was used quite a bit on main floor when staffing positions were at minimum. Might have been the reason unfortunately why you didn't see crew members as you think you should have.
My longest flight has only been 8 hours going from London to Monreal on BA 777, I'd love to travel more and also have a flight onboard a 747! Love the video's Jeb and only found your channel by chance but great content with what I've watched so far! 👍
Back in 2017, I took my son on his first flight out of the US. We used Delta from Detroit to Narita (Tokyo - Japan). I didn't know it was going to be the 747 "Queen of the skies" until we arrived to the assigned gate. I couldn't believe it, neither my son who was 8 y/o at that time. Beautiful plane. My son had a blast on his first flight. Good memories.
Hello. I was fifteen when I first flew on a 747. Air India JFK-LHR, 25 July 1980. Landing in London during terrific thunderstorms and dangerous turbulence. It was exciting! I was with my ninth grade teacher on an educational tour of Europe's capitals. (We are good friends to this day.) Thank you, Mom, for our travels. And, thank you for allowing me to share this memory.
Great post there Jeb! You are right, the B747 is one of the most beautiful planes ever manufactured. My first 747 flight was on a Qantas 747-238B AKL/BNE in May 1979. She sported the classic 70s Qantas livery and the crew wore the "Fun Jet" uniform, used on the South Pacific flights. Many fortunate years as a Travel Agent saw me on countless 747s all over the world, including the iconic Lufthansa, who used to fly the the SYD/FRA route back in the day. LH employed a B747 Combi (part freighter), stopping only at BKK en-route to FRA. My final flight on a B747-400 was with Air Pacific (Fiji Airways now) HKG/NAN in 2012. Sitting in the rear cabin on that service, she had the iconic rear "shake" following take-off, so you knew you were aboard a "Queen". I miss the 747 here in Australian skies. I concur, the A380 is not a "pretty" plane (apologies to Airbus fans), she looks purely "functional" to me, not a work of aviation art as is the 747. Thanks!
Training pilots on the B747 has been a hi-light of my aviation career. Having started on the B737-100 there is a world of difference from the early Boeing's to the -8.
My first flight on a 747 was on lufthansa's flight from san francisco to frankfurt and i was in the business class upstairs, that was the best flight of my life.
My first and only experience on a 747 was a first class Trans World Airlines flight from St. Louis to Hawaii (1995). I was just a kid, but I'll never forget the impression it left on me. There will always be a special place in my heart for both the airframe and that iconic airline who helped bolster it's legacy.
I flew with my family on a Lufthansa 747 in Business class. I was up top with my dad and my sister and mom were on the first floor. Truly an amazing experience!
My 1st flight on a 747 from Seattle to Tokyo on Northwest Orient in 1978. In 1983 I flew from Seattle to London on Pan Am. My father worked on the 747-400 and I went on to work on the 747-8. My desk at work overlooked the 747 and my walk into the office I walked in between the 747’s. I loved that plane!
I've never flown on a 747 or any airplane with more than one floor. This is a beautiful plane! I enjoy when you bring your wife to the more fancy trips. 🙂
My first 747 flight was very memorable. It was 1971, I was 9 years old and had never flow before. The beginning of the trip began the year before. My parents called a family meeting. Since it was just the 3 of us, not many attended. They had a proposal, and I had the deciding vote. We were going to do something big next year, either have an in ground pool installed, or my mom and dad and I would spent an entire summer in Southern California, staying with my moms sister and her 5 boys. I was so excited, my immediate choice was the trip. I hadn’t seen my cousins in a few years, and I was anxious to see them. On the other hand, the neighborhood kids all thought I was crazy giving up a pool they would have access to, and which I would have to help take care of. California here we come! My dad even considered buying a new Ford Country Squire wagon to drive out west. Saner heads agreed flying would be much better. I was excited about perhaps flying on the new 747, pestering my dad daily to find out from his travel agent. I was not happy the day he came home with the bad news that San Diego’s airport was too small for the new jumbo jet, so we’d be flying on an American Airlines 707. I was still excited, but a little let down. The year dragged on, but spring was soon approaching, and my mother buying all of us a vacation wardrobe was in full swing. Then the day came. Our departure day happened to be my last day of school. That meant a half day for me. I said goodbye to all my classmates, then walked home. My dad was due home from work any minute, and mom was nervously packing anything else she might need. My grandfather was on time to take us to DTW, stopping in front of our house in his brown Continental Mark III. When we arrived in San Diego, it was dark, and I was surprised instead of a jet walk, stairs were next to the plane for us to walk down and make our way to the terminal. We found my aunt an uncle and it was the beginning of the best trip ever. After visiting Disneyland, Sea World, Tijuana, and eating my first taco, my dad had to go back early to get back to work. My mom and I stayed a few more weeks until it was almost time to start the school year. She even started shopping for school clothes for me in California. Then the day I dreaded was there, going back home. I was going to miss my cousins, and aunt and uncle, but it was time. My mother told me instead of changing planes in Chicago as we did in the spring, we’d be changing flights in Los Angeles. I thought it would be groovy to see a different city from the air. My uncle was late getting us to the airport, and we almost missed our flight. My mom was a wreck as they had to roll the stairs back out to the 727 for us. As we boarded, she apologized to just about everyone. The flight to LAX took less than 20 minutes, soon enough, my mom was trying to get us to the right gate. We checked in, then did some last minute shopping at the news stand. My mom made a quick call to my dad to say we made it to L.A. We went back to the gate to wait for boarding, and waiting there was the best surprise of the whole trip. A shiny American 747 was pulling into the gate. I looked at my mom in shock. “Are you happy?” she asked. I could barely speak. When they started boarding the plane, there were different jet walks for different sections. Of course my mom and I weren’t first class, but we made it to our seats soon enough. As we were seat, I thought there was no way this thing could get up in the air. I was wrong. We settled back waiting for lunch. My mom was hoping a stewardess could take me up top for a tour. My bubble was burst when she said the second floor was for first class only. She could tell I was disappointed, and after about 15 minutes, she brought back an American Airlines Ritchie Rich comic book, and American plastic wings for me. Then she said if I wanted I could go to the rear of the plane to see the lounge in back. I had to use the toilette, so I thought why not. I walked through a divider in the rear section and couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a full size cocktail lounge back there, including a bar with a bartender. I went to the bathroom, then rushed back to tell my mom. “What are you talking about?” She didn’t believe me. I made her come to the back of the plane. She couldn’t believe it either. We sat in club chairs with chrome mushroom lamps on end tables between us, looking out at the Grand Canyon. It was the best flight ever. The smile on my dads face as we arrived in Detroit said it all. I told him it was the best part of the whole trip. He said if I was that easily impressed, he could have saved a lot of money by just flying me back and forth, no Disneyland or Mexico involved. So that’s my long story about my first flight on a 747.
I’m just hoping and praying that either Lufthansa or any other airline that currently still has 747s will keep them so that someday one day, I can maybe have the honor of saying that I am a 747 pilot. “So what do you do for a living?” “Oh, I’m a 747 pilot” dude, that’d just be so cool!
I love your positivity in this video, even though you experienced a bus boarding, that queue for the US security check and a delayed departure. I know how bad it can get because i work in Frankfurt and feel bad for passengers. It's still refreshing to see that you dont complain and instead have this awe for travel through the sky. Stay this positive, i loved the video
Great video Jeb & Suzanne truly INCREDIBLE! Flying Lufthansa’s ICONIC 747 UPSTAIRS in Biz Class!! WOW! 🤩 At 1:37 I’ve never flown on a 747 yet! I will be however flying on the queen of the skies with Lufthansa on a 747-400 from Washington Dulles(IAD-FRA) to Frankfurt in Late Dec 2024-Early January 2025!! I’m so excited At 2:43 The A380 Beautiful!! 😂😂😂 I laughed out loud it’s SO UGLY! I think Paul Stewart said it best in a recent video, only a mother could love that ugly duckling!! 🎉😅 Also I love how you reused the music from your first flight on the LH 747-8 from Dulles to Frankfurt!!! Great job Jeb! I miss the Northwest Airlines 747-400s then Delta 748-400s, Air France 747-400s and KLM 747-400s all used to fly to Detroit sometimes it seems odd seeing the markings on the tarmac for the parking that says B747 without ANY 747s serving DTW anymore! 😔(Except for a Lufthansa 747-400 diverting to DTW for an emergency landing a few months ago) I also miss not seeing any TWA 747s anymore ?I never flew TWA but I loved their classic 747-100s and the bold red 1990s livery except for in scrapyards… Your friend Caleb’s Aviation!
My first time on a 747 was with CP Air from Manchester to Toronto in 1980. Since then, I've flown the Queen many times - an experience that always captivates me.
My first flight was in 8th grade also. I flew with my parents and brother from LAX to HNL. My dad knew a VP with PanAm. We sat in 1st class. It was the first 6 or 8 rows downstairs. We went upstairs for dinner. I just remember how special I felt eating at a table with a linen tablecloth, real china, crystal drink ware, and sterling utensils. It was a magical trip. The last time I flew on a 747 was as a graduation present when I was 18. My friend and I were in the 2nd row. In front of us was Muhammad Ali and his new wife. He was really friendly, offering us gum before we took off. I can't believe I'll never fly on a 747 ever again
My first 747 flight was in 1985, from Chicago to Seattle, the second of a 3-leg trip from Buffalo to Anchorage. I was lucky enough to get a seat next to the forward galley. I was mesmerized watching the elevators carrying carts and flight attendants up and down to the lower galley! I could also see the dumb waiter going up and down from the upper deck. What wonderful memories!
Flying B747 is always a unique expirience..Fligh from Chicago-Frankfurt,same with Lufthansa will remember forever and mention 5stars in total score⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been lucky enough to have to have flown on a 747 countless times but my first memory is from 1985 being 5 years old with mum & dad flying on a Boeing 747 Singapore Airlines from Melbourne to Singapore-what an experience for a 5 year old watching a movie on board & with a big screen (back then) & the cabin crew made me feel so special & took me to the cockpit to meet the captain I still remember it so clearly .. the sheer size & magnitude of this magnificent aircraft is astounding ❤️ the good old days
My first memory of the 747 was on an Aerolineas Argentina flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid in 1992!!!! Next month I will fly in business on "The Queen" as we call the 747 of Lufthansa. The Buenos Aires- Frankfurt route is the longest route of that airline. Thank you!!!
1979. British Airways, Heathrow to Melbourne. Stopping in Zurich, Jeddah, Bombay, Singapore and Melbourne. Unforgettable. I even remember the movie they showed. It was 'Sunburn'. Happy days.
My first 747 flight, 1998 San Francisco to Manila. Been a HUGE fan of the 747 ever since. Have flown many types of planes from both Boeing and Airbus. Always felt the safest on them. The 747 is the King of the skies! Sad to see them go.
my first flight, when I was 5 years old, was on a TWA 747. I remember going upstairs with my parents to the lounge. My father wore a suite and tie and my norther a dress. I remember being served a coke and feeling like such a "grown up". Thanks for the great vlog!
My first flight on a 747 was in 1983. My wife and I flew from Chicago to Honolulu non stop on Tower Air. The aircraft smelled like a locker room. There was an overhead panel that came loose and the flight attendant pulled out the duct tape. She peeled off an arms length strip of tape, used her teeth to tear it from the rool and stick it to the top panel. Awesome trip!
I used to fly the People’s Express 747 back in the mid late 80’s. Phenomenal flights to LA for $99! By the way, Loved the flyover Long Island! I grew up there. Nobody can afford to live there, but a great place to grow up.
When I was an inflight manager for TWA I worked on the 747! it was a great experience, and flew on the 74 from LAX To JFK, JFK to ATH via CDG!! Those where the days!!!
There are many folks like yourself that do such videos but you are def one of the best ...the narration the humour the style the delivery is perfect...and your constructive comments were done with style and gratitude ❤
My first 747 flight was in early October 1982. I had gone on the QE2 to England with my parents, and we flew home on a British Airways 747 to Chicago in economy class, a memorable flight. My 2nd 747 flight was on KLM in late May 1992, flying from Minn. , MN to Amsterdam, that was a great flight. The service was amazing, the flight attendants seemed to come around to give us water or drinks every few minutes, best service I have ever had on an airplane, and that was economy class! I want to take the Lufthansa 747-8 from Frankfurt to Chicago in Sept. I love 747's! In five days I will take a Lufthansa 787-9 from Denver to Frankfurt, and then take a connecting flight to Basel , Switzerland. I've never flown on a Dreamliner or Lufthansa, will be in Premium economy for the flight!
My memory of flying on a 747 business class was back in 2007 from NY JFK to Mumbai India for a work business trip. It was the best experience. Then in 2019 I flew from EWR (Newark NJ) to Switzerland on a 747 and that was an amazing trip as well and especially flying over the Alps! what an amazing view that was!
My first time ever crossing the Atlantic was on a Lufthansa 747-400 from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt. I was lucky enough to do it several more times, and one memorable time I got to go upstairs to visit the flight deck before departure! Such an incredible experience every time.
My first 747 was on Qantas from Los Angeles to Sydney. With only 16 seats it was like flying on a private jet. Once we were in the air the flight attendants came around with cotton pajamas with the Qantas logo on the front. We had our own pajama party up there. I will never forget that flight as long as I live.
I remember my first 747 flight was on British airways, and we departed jfk during the evening of july 4th. Seeing fireworks outside the window was such an amazing experience!
My first 747 flight was with Lufthansa in 1990 from Frankfurt to Sydney, Australia ❤ It included a brief refuelling stop in Bangkok. we were well taken care off during that long haul flight. Good times ❤
Nice video! I’m a 15 year old and I have actually flown a 747 in 2014 with Lufthansa in business class (my parents have lots of money) and it was absolutely fantastic. The flight was from London to Bali with a stopover in Frankfurt. Nice video as always, gave me a lot of nostalgia.
Couldn’t agree more with you-the achievement of the B747 variants for humanity allowed nearly everyone on this planet to travel affordably… so astonishing an invention it’s right up there with both Concorde and the awesome achievement of the moon landing which all happened about the same time :-) Thank you 🙏🏽
August 1987, when I was 12. Wardair 747. Toronto to Manchester. First airplane ride ever. Sat in the back smoking section. Even got a trip to the flightdeck. I amazed, and hooked.
My father was a flight engineer on the old "classic" 747's, the 100 and 200 series, so we were lucky enough to go away with him on lots of flights. My first memory was back in the 70's when flew from Heathrow to Miami. Lots more 747 flights followed. A lovely aircraft.
And you probably were dressed to the 9's to make those flights back in the day. Unlike today's cattle car flights.
I worked for KLM for 43 years at Heathrow and my first 747 flight was on a BOAC 100 series from Heathrow to Kingston, Jamaica in 1974.
I still remember what a thrill it was boarding this gigantic Queen of the skies. Such beautiful aircraft. So sad they are disappearing.
damn that’s cool
An interesting thing about 747s is that the “hump” size has changed over the generations on the passenger versions, but not on the freighters. Originally, passenger and freighter -100 and -200 versions had the exact same silhouette, only the lack of windows would tell them apart.
When the -300 and -400 versions came out, the upper deck on the passenger planes had been stretched by 7 meters. The freighter versions, however, remained the same.
When the -8 version came out the hump was stretched an additional 4.1 meters, but again, only on the passenger version. The freighter continues to have the short upper deck of the “classic”, leading to very different silhouettes of the -8.
By the way, the inly reason the 747 even has an upper deck is that Boeing was competing in the large strategic airlifter program for the US Air Force (the Lockheed C-5 won) and needed to move the flight deck up, so the plane can be loaded via the front, a feature that ended up making it a most popular freighter. Passenger airlines didn’t really want a hump and didn’t know what to do with it originally.
@Zakir Siddiqui What about them?
And the 747SP enabled Boeing to stretch the deck on the -300 onward. They basically had to design a new fuselage segment because on the SP the hump ended over the leading edge of the wing root. Boeing found that the aerodynamics actually worked better that way, so they implemented the new segment on the -300 thereby stretching the hump.
Jeb: I flew a Pan Am 747 from LAX to Caraccas Venezuela. Back in the '70s, Pan Am gave the entire first class access upstairs for the main meal. Upstairs, they had legitimate linen-covered tables, china plates and lead-crystal goblets. The chairs faced in towards the tables. I had the rack of lamb, cooked on-board. So cool!!! So many american carriers figure you don't need "first-class" service when you are rewarded with giant seats. Recently, on my way to Chicago, I took American Airlines, first class. It was nice but nothing like a gourmet dinner served in style!
I enjoy your videos.
Marc
I’ve never seen a 747 in person though I have flown on the A380 from Miami - England. I can’t really remember it ‘til now. Still it was a great flight despite me sitting economy
Flying as kids from the east coast to Hawaii on vacation on a 747 in the 1970's. A spiral staircase led upstairs to a lounge. People were smoking and drinking, it was fascinating and fun for us kids. The Glory Days!
My first was on December 1973 on a 747 PanAm from Frankfort to Dulles airport. I was in the army stationed at Bamberg Germany going home for my 30 day vacation. I was enjoying the massive plane. I asked the Steward back then that’s what the were called please Don’t call them that now. She told me I could go upstairs. Since I was asking and a serviceman. It was iconic. Very nice and a person asked ne what you doing fella & I ‘m seeing how the other half live.. he offered to buy a drink but I passed and went back my seat.
Thank you for your service, Tom.
Thank you for your Service and many Greetings from Bamberg😊🙋
Had my first time flying with just a few weeks ago and it wasn’t on a 747 well months ago but I think it was on like an airbus A320 maybe
Jeb, you're absolutely right, flying upstairs on a 74 is something very special, almost feels like flying in a private jet...
I had the joy to fly a few times on the upper deck with British Airways 747-400, that was fun, besides the tiny lavatory 🙂
When my parents moved to Paris when I was in college in the mid 80s we got to fly business class over with them. I was really hoping we would be on a 747 but ended up on an L-1011. Great thing was that my parents, my brother and I were the only ones in Business class from Atlanta to Paris. Was pretty cool then. I can't imagine a Delta flight now that's not fully packed.
The 747 was in fact the first plane I ever travelled on, back when I was only 4 months old from SFO to FRA on a Lufthansa 747-400. While not remembering that flight, I do remember flying the -8 with Lufthansa and watching the 2 beautiful engines during takeoff. I absolutely love this beast and have so many great memories involving her!!!
my first flight on a 747-400 was when i was 4, going from FRA to SFO which was a one way flight for me as i now live near SFO
thought it was funny how similar our two flights were :)
my first memory on a 747....flying as a load master on a factory freighter 747-400. I love it!!!
Who’s watching this at 2024
Me haha 1:59
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Lol
Me
Me
Jeb I started watching your channel a little over a year ago and have become a total Aviation enthusiast! My fiancé and I are taking our first 747 flight next month Chicago-Frankfurt flying Business class upstairs! All because of your videos! Thank you for introducing us to the Aviation enthusiast world!!! 🙂
Have a fantastic trip!!
@Jeb Brooks Just thoroughly enjoying and continual improvement of some kind of other is what counts the most. For instance, if YOU'RE thoroughly enjoying yourself, everyone will enjoy what you do.
I wrote a different comment here soon after finding your channel and after seeing many more of your videos
was going to replace it with this comment, but can't even find it now. Cheers!
@@GreenerGrass I’ll be doing the same this winter also with Lufthansa from ORD-FRA on the B747
In my opinion the 747 is the most beautiful looking plane of all time.
Here Here
SR-71 and 747
MD-11 for me.
I started flying the 747 in early 1990's. I did the trip every 3 weeks and always reserved upstairs exit seat 15A or B. I did this trip for about 10 yrs. After awhile I knew the crew and they knew me. Best travel time in my life!
My first, and only, 747 experience was back in '85 when I returned from London to LAX on Easter Sunday. I think there were maybe 12 people on this enormous plane! I remember it being a super smooth flight. My fondest memory though was when the flight attendant first approached me and with a tray of beers ... she described the three beers available, then asked which I would like. Before I could answer, she said "oh, here - just take them all!" I was in college at the time ... pretty much thought I had died and gone to heaven! 😃
…”criticism for a lack of gratitude”…. Love that !
I like when Jeb says “The basics”…as if most of us that travel in Scum Class know what is basic in Business/1st Class 😂😂😂😂
One thing about Lufthansa the meals in coach are EXCELLENT and the SERVICE is ALSO TOP NOTCH
I always fly Lufthansa to Germany from Florida I am planning the top level flight soon
Is it just me or does someone know how all these ppl- Jeb/Sam/nonstop Dan/ trek trendy- all fly what appears to be business or first class like multiple times a week? Would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
@Jake Krause lololol
A couple of credit card sign-up bonuses can get you round-trip F/J on most international flights.
I’m so happy that travel is coming back to life again after 2 years
My first 747 flight was the first flight I can remember. I was flying at 10 years old as an unaccompanied minor from San Francisco to Seoul, Korea on Korean Air. Talk about an adventure! Great crew, too.
I flew 747 at age 10 too as an unaccompanied minor, my story can be found in the comments above
My first 747 flight was also my first ever flight! In 1989 I flew from Manchester UK to Toronto with Ward Air. Our seats were right in the nose of the plane, under the pilot. We joked we arrived at YYZ just before the Captain did as we were sitting ahead of him. Absolutely love the 747 & have flown in it many times since, in economy & business. KLM, NorthWest, United, BA, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, Air Canada... So much love for these Jumbos🤗✈
My first flight was when I was 2 years old from Karachi to Islamabad with PIA.Good times!
A few decades ago, my first flight on a 747 was on Continental Airlines departing Newark, NJ to Seattle, Washington. Truly an awe inspiring plane and I was amazed at how big these planes are. Best plane EVER!
I have only flown in a 747 once in my life and that was when I was coming home from Vietnam. The flight was filled entirely with service people. I was one of the last to board the aircraft and they placed me in the first class section. So needless to say I was amazed at the size and comfort of it. It was a great ride.
I've read that one thing most of you serving missed out on when you got home is "Welcome home". Thanks for your service. I was about 5 during that era.
My first flight was also full of GI's headed for 🇩🇪.
🫡
My first 747 flight was on "Clipper Young Amerrica" on a special Pan Am flight from Washington Dulles for about an hour and return to Dulles in 1969. The 747 holds a special place in my memory because I met my wife on a Northwest 747 from Dulles to Seattle. She's from Everett, Washington, and I've been through the big Boeing plant several times.
Another great video! I was 10 years old in 1975 when I took my first 747 - a gorgeous Northwest Orient flight from MSP to LAX. I still remember it. I also still remember the outbound flight a week earlier on their stunning DC-10 Srs 40. It was a red eye out of LAX at 1:55 AM, and they served a giant corned beef sandwich as the 'midnight snack' - in Coach! Like their old ad said: "Those who know go Northwest Orient!"
Cool
Before i die, i want to fly on the 747. Thank god Lufthansa hasn't given up on the queen of the skies.
I flew upstairs on a 747 when Virgin Atlantic had an economy cabin up there. That was pretty awesome!
BA too... I flew BOM-LHR on upper deck economy!!! 😋🤣
Same, lgw to Orlando, felt very rich lol!
Yep, I have flown the virgin 747 many times, only once upstairs and it was some experience! Miss them.
No way they had economy upstairs
@@MarmiteMogul They did, 3-3 layout. I believe Rossiya Airlines in Russia outfitted their 747s in all economy, including up top. I’m sure you can find videos of that..
I flew on a 747 from Atlanta to San Juan. It was the first large plane I had ever flown on. I was in awe when it lifted off the ground.
It’s like a different feeling from other planes right??
@@GoogleAviationProductions it absolutely was.
@@GoogleAviationProductions To me, it was like sitting in a cinema full of people and then the thing starts moving and tips up as it takes off. Weird but amazing at the same time.
I didn't even know a 747 was used for that route. I bet it was such an amazing experience and must have been high volume at the time. Thanks for sharing. 👍
@@StallionFX1 this was 2009. I don't remember which airline it was with but I don't think it was one of the majors.
My first 747 flight was incredible! I'll never forget it because it was on N661US from ATL to HNL. This what right after the northwest delta merger so the aircraft was freshly painted but still had the Northwest white pod business class seats. Very surreal when I stepped on board again a couple years ago at the Delta flight museum. Awesome memories!!!
Greatest plane to fly on internationally. My first was Atlanta to Johannesburg in 2000, 15 hours and 15 minutes. Since then I've flown on Qantas and KLM 747s. One roundtrip I'll never forget, LAX to Brisbane and back. No turbulence in either direction. Sure, it's a product of good weather, but the 747, in my experience, provided the smoothest of flights no matter what the condition. She's the reason I fell in love with commercial aircraft as a kid!
747s are the most beautiful airplanes…. Period!
a380 is so much better idk what yall yapping bout
Another brilliant video mate - that footage of the aircraft at Frankfurt Airport is simply stunning. A great tribute to the magnificent 747. Been lucky to fly the Queen many times but have cherished it every single time. Your assessment of Lufthansa is spot on. Can't believe they served that second lighter meal in a foil tray in business class.
Thanks, Dennis! Lufthansa isn’t what it used to be, but that matters a lot less with 747’s in their fleet!!
@@GreenerGrass that is very true. I've only ever flown lufthansa in 2019 and 2022 airbus 330-300 and 747-400 or 747-8 I don't remember which 747 tbh. First international flight outside of continental was great so I don't know if I just had my expectations too high for this last one.
@@GreenerGrass 747s are my favorite, too! Wow, did you see the first episode of the first season of Leverage: "The Nigerian Job"? Partially because of your extremely reserved attitude, after you showed the delicious food available in the 1st Class airport lounge in Germany, included in 1st Class tickets, before boarding a 747, 1st Class, and you chose to eat a pretzel, pure carbs that definitely doesn't taste good, I thought of that episode of Leverage
It's VERY good & available to watch for free on the completely free, high quality streaming service IMDb TV owned by Amazon. Near the end, of that 1st episode, when the team is walking & about to meet at their beautiful outdoor meeting place to collect their equal shares checks for their first job of ~$34,765,500 each, still wearing their super high quality covert, bone conducting ear buds, when their leader mentions that Sophie spent about $10,000 of their target sheister's bribe payout to buy some really nice shoes, the blonde (tomboy) Parker, says, "What's up with women and shoes? And Sophie says, "There's something wrong with you." Elliot says, "That's what I said." (Of course, there's nothing wrong with being a fearless tomboy, and nothing wrong with prefering to have the least amount of shoes because of it, it's an advanced quality, and there could be sentimental value to a pretzel, but I've already gotten the impression from your videos that you're so reserved, you hardly allow yourself to enjoy things.
So that's what I said about you, at that point..I mean there must have been at least a delicious croissant with less calories than that pretzel, the least healthy food there IS, (Google that), and no pretzels on Earth taste good. Why does a guy get to travel 1st class around the world who doesn't even allow himself to enjoy it? It's almost like you're not fully alive or something, allowing yourself to really enjoy the possibilities.
Maybe, if you watch a few 1st class flights & 1st class sleeper-car train rides on LivingBobby channel & a little of his super ENJOYING attitude rubs off on you, your true self & true enjoyment will start coming out & your higher level of enjoyment will make your videos much more enjoyable to watch! If you don't allow yourself to enjoy things, it's harder for US to vicariously enjoy what's there via your experience, leading to us trying out similar experiences ourselves!
One time I fell asleep watching one of LivingBobbie's video tours of a big ferry ship from Japan to Korea, and dreamed I was running around with him on that ship tour & laughing & enjoying everything just like he was.
Then he disappeared and I back tracked to all the places we had just been on that ship, but couldn't find him -- (he does tend to move pretty fast). Then I woke up and realized the video had ended, so his voice had stopped. Unlike so many deadbeat 1st class tours of planes & trains, his videos are SO enjoyable to watch because he really ENJOYS all the wonderful good things so much more than the average person. (He's even MORE fun to hang out with in person.)
Because he's so enjoyable to watch, he only has to make 1 video per month. He got a lovely French girlfriend that started taking some trips with him. She didn't know how to act at first, clashing with his style, and I said, "Just copy him & act & talk like he does, adding your lovely French style to it, and you'll be perfect! She did, and they really are perfect together. I hope they get married, because they really are great together! Anyway, Enjoy!! Cheers! 😉😀🌠
I grew up in Anchorage, so these are very common to me. First, they were often used for the flights to the lower 48 when I was a child in the 70's and 80's and you always dreaded getting one of the middle seats. Now they are very common to see at the airport for all the cargo flights through ANC. It will be sad when they are no more.
My first 747 was Qantas LAX to Sydney in June 2001. It was memorable for many reasons, but I was supposed to be on a flight the day prior which I missed due to weather in Dallas. Anyway, on this flight, we were about 2/3 across, when you're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean far away from practically anything. The alarm went off on the plane saying that the cabin was losing pressure and oxygen masks would deploy. The Flight Attendants got everyone buckled in and it was a bit nervewracking but nobody panicked.
A minute later one of the pilots came on the intercom and apologized. He had bumped the alarm button by mistake!
My very first Qantas B747-400 flight was on QF12 (LAX-SYD) and QF43 (SYD-AKL) back in November of 1993. Both sectors were on the same aircraft (VH-OJM) with a 3 hour stopover in SYD, and I found the just shy of 15 hours nonstop (on QF12) was more than enough to handle (in the economy cabin).
I don't know how the economy class passengers on the PER-LHR nonstop flights will survive. If QF uses the B787's, I believe those aircraft will still have the 9-across seating (3 x 3 x 3) in the back.😬😬😬
Oh wow! You guys flew on a 747 but not me, the world we live in is bullshit!
Yo i feel like doing this so
The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. After introducing the 707 in October 1958, Pan Am wanted a jet 2+1⁄2 times its size, to reduce its seat cost by 30%. In 1965, Joe Sutter left the 737 development program to design the 747. In April 1966, Pan Am ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft, and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop the JT9D engine, a high-bypass turbofan. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the world's largest building by volume. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the 747 was certified in December of that year. It entered service with Pan Am on January 22, 1970. The 747 was the first airplane called a "Jumbo Jet" as the first wide-body airliner.
Boeing 747
A 747-200 in Iberia livery in flight, over land
Boeing 747-200 of Iberia (1980)
Role
Wide-body jet airliner
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
First flight
February 9, 1969
Introduction
January 22, 1970, with Pan Am
Status
In service
Primary users
Atlas Air
Lufthansa
Cargolux
UPS Airlines
Produced
1968-2023
Number built
1,574 (including prototype)
Variants
Boeing 747SP
Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-8
Boeing VC-25
Boeing E-4
747 Supertanker
Developed into
Boeing Dreamlifter
Boeing YAL-1
Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
SOFIA
The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates
I flew to Frankfurt by myself at the age of 15 on a Lufthansa 747. It was my first flight ever! 747 will always be my favorite plane! I still have my boarding pass!
My first 747 flight was in December 2019, only months before BA retired their whole fleet. JFK-LHR upstairs right behind the cockpit. What an experience! My girlfriend hates flying especially long haul and I could hardly get her off the aircraft once we landed.. unfortunately the 747 has since been scrapped but I managed to get my hands a key ring made from the window of our very aircraft. So sad not to see the 747’s in LHR anymore, you can feel there’s somethings missing!
Congrats on flying on her. I guess my first flight on a 747 was when I first started working for Northwest Airlines back around 20 years ago. I flew from Detroit to Narita. I wanted to experience the Orient and though I didn't fly in business class to Japan, I was able to do it on the return trip. It was a trip I'll never forget.
This proves that international long-haul travel is finally back! I would love to see an A220-100/200/300 or BCS1/2/3 from Seattle to Orange County with Delta airlines. It is a special flight because there are nonstop views throughout the flight if there are no clouds. Also, the Orange County airport runway is small which results in a considerable amount of pilot skill to be put to the test. I flew this same route but with Alaska, and the pilot told me that he was super close to going around at the end because of the wind gust.
I loved my first 747 flight. I went from Rome to Frankfurt on an Airbus A321-neo and then from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on a 747-8. I flew on Lufthansa for both flights. I’ll never forget them
My first 747 fight was August of 1985, flying from Rome to JFK on a Pan-Am. What an incredible experience for a 14-year-old kid. My family and got bumped up to first class at the last second. In the 80's, first class was incredible! I had the first four windows on the left-hand side of the aircraft on the first level to myself! As soon as we got on board they served me champagne! Awesome!
Another lovely vlog, Jeb.
My first flight was from London Heathrow to Sydney, Australia, back in 1986. My father worked for British Airways, and was able to upgrade me to Club Class (business class on BA), for the whole journey. A mind boggling 26 hours, and 3 stops! Club Class was on the upper deck, and back then, it was a 747-200. It held only no more than 18 pax. It really felt like being in a small club, hence the Club Class name.
Great video, I like how you covered each area thoroughly. I've flown both the 747 and A380, and I don't think the A380 is that much of a difference as you made out. The 747's look is unquestionably iconic, so it wins that category. But the A380 is a wonderful airplane and sitting in the upper deck is a truly unique experience. I actually couldn't tell when the aircraft left the runway on takeoff, and I didn't feel a single bounce when it landed. The A380 I flew was British Airways out of Heathrow, non-stop to San Francisco, and I flew World Traveler Plus, better-known as Premium Economy. We didn't get a fully-reclining seat, but had great meals, great drinks, and great service. In fact, we had the same pre-landing menu as you did: I loved the Aubergine (eggplant) parmigiana. Also, we got a nice jetway to the upper deck from the gate, and didn't have to climb stairs from the tarmac. I hope we never have to do that!
My experience i had with emirates A380 business class and it was amazing because i love the interior and also the space too. They even have mini bar in our seat❤
Thanks Jeb for all your easy-going, not snobby trip reports! Also flying the 747-8 is amazing. Thanks for the fond memories. You do a great job! Cody- Missoula, Montana
Four year old, emigrating from Northern Ireland to Canada. Flew to Heathrow and then boarded a 747 to Montreal. I have always remembered it. A spiral staircase I was thrilled to climb and a nice lounge. That day, I had turned 4 and it was the first time I had been on an airplane. I was fascinated by that plane. Will never forget it 🌻
DEFINITIVAMENTE EL AVIÓN MÁS EXITOSO EN LA HISTORIA.
Great videos, Jeb!
My first memory of 747 is a throwback. As a kid, we went annually to visit family in San Juan, Puerto Rico. TWA was always the choice and normally it was a 747 from JFK to SJU! I miss the 747 on domestic routes!
My guess is that you had a “last minute” aircraft change due to maintenance issues and the available aircraft was at a remote stand, so they could either swap them via towing, which would take over an hour or simply bus you there.
At peak times when all gates are full you will get the pleasure of riding buses at many airports, FRA included.
@@lvthudSure, but in this case the gate he was departing from had the right aircraft for the flight without another flight departing from it, and they were still bussed to a remote stand. Your comment doesn’t explain this specific situation.
@@afcgeo882 How do you know another flight was not departing from it ? LH have the Tokyo and Joburg flights leaving around the same time as LH400, all using a 747-8. Anyways, without knowing the day they took the flight there is no way of really knowing and we are discussing a non issue. Next time I run into Jeb if I remember I will ask him.
@@lvthud You can see it from the shot of the gate area. Plus you don’t get two 747 flights scheduled at the same gate. This isn’t a downstairs bus gate.
Keep in mind that the US and Canada bound gates at FRA are separate from others as required for security measures.
The UD F/A position in my days of being a TWA F/A was used quite a bit on main floor when staffing positions were at minimum. Might have been the reason unfortunately why you didn't see crew members as you think you should have.
My first 747 flight was with Pan Am 1987 to LA. Pure awesomeness!!
9:40 I love how you’re just respectful all around unlike some other YT’s
My longest flight has only been 8 hours going from London to Monreal on BA 777, I'd love to travel more and also have a flight onboard a 747!
Love the video's Jeb and only found your channel by chance but great content with what I've watched so far! 👍
Why do he not use A380
Just be grateful
Because it's not iconic Queen of the sky!
@@BenErikNessfax
@@G_2two_yeah your right he spent a lot of money for it
POV:your trying to find a comment that dosent say “amazing video blah blah blah” or “my first B747 flight blah blah blah”
First QOTS flight was in the 90s from London Gatwick to Minneapolis with Northwest. Epic trip!
Back in 2017, I took my son on his first flight out of the US. We used Delta from Detroit to Narita (Tokyo - Japan). I didn't know it was going to be the 747 "Queen of the skies" until we arrived to the assigned gate. I couldn't believe it, neither my son who was 8 y/o at that time. Beautiful plane. My son had a blast on his first flight. Good memories.
Hello. I was fifteen when I first flew on a 747. Air India JFK-LHR, 25 July 1980. Landing in London during terrific thunderstorms and dangerous turbulence. It was exciting! I was with my ninth grade teacher on an educational tour of Europe's capitals. (We are good friends to this day.) Thank you, Mom, for our travels. And, thank you for allowing me to share this memory.
Great post there Jeb! You are right, the B747 is one of the most beautiful planes ever manufactured. My first 747 flight was on a Qantas 747-238B AKL/BNE in May 1979. She sported the classic 70s Qantas livery and the crew wore the "Fun Jet" uniform, used on the South Pacific flights. Many fortunate years as a Travel Agent saw me on countless 747s all over the world, including the iconic Lufthansa, who used to fly the the SYD/FRA route back in the day. LH employed a B747 Combi (part freighter), stopping only at BKK en-route to FRA. My final flight on a B747-400 was with Air Pacific (Fiji Airways now) HKG/NAN in 2012. Sitting in the rear cabin on that service, she had the iconic rear "shake" following take-off, so you knew you were aboard a "Queen". I miss the 747 here in Australian skies. I concur, the A380 is not a "pretty" plane (apologies to Airbus fans), she looks purely "functional" to me, not a work of aviation art as is the 747. Thanks!
Training pilots on the B747 has been a hi-light of my aviation career. Having started on the B737-100 there is a world of difference from the early Boeing's to the -8.
My first flight on a 747 was on lufthansa's flight from san francisco to frankfurt and i was in the business class upstairs, that was the best flight of my life.
My first and only experience on a 747 was a first class Trans World Airlines flight from St. Louis to Hawaii (1995). I was just a kid, but I'll never forget the impression it left on me. There will always be a special place in my heart for both the airframe and that iconic airline who helped bolster it's legacy.
glad u weren’t on flight 800 if u know what I mean
@@chopper_875 yeah that's a fact
I flew with my family on a Lufthansa 747 in Business class. I was up top with my dad and my sister and mom were on the first floor. Truly an amazing experience!
My 1st flight on a 747 from Seattle to Tokyo on Northwest Orient in 1978. In 1983 I flew from Seattle to London on Pan Am. My father worked on the 747-400 and I went on to work on the 747-8. My desk at work overlooked the 747 and my walk into the office I walked in between the 747’s. I loved that plane!
I've never flown on a 747 or any airplane with more than one floor. This is a beautiful plane! I enjoy when you bring your wife to the more fancy trips. 🙂
My first 747 flight was very memorable. It was 1971, I was 9 years old and had never flow before. The beginning of the trip began the year before. My parents called a family meeting. Since it was just the 3 of us, not many attended. They had a proposal, and I had the deciding vote. We were going to do something big next year, either have an in ground pool installed, or my mom and dad and I would spent an entire summer in Southern California, staying with my moms sister and her 5 boys. I was so excited, my immediate choice was the trip. I hadn’t seen my cousins in a few years, and I was anxious to see them. On the other hand, the neighborhood kids all thought I was crazy giving up a pool they would have access to, and which I would have to help take care of. California here we come!
My dad even considered buying a new Ford Country Squire wagon to drive out west. Saner heads agreed flying would be much better. I was excited about perhaps flying on the new 747, pestering my dad daily to find out from his travel agent. I was not happy the day he came home with the bad news that San Diego’s airport was too small for the new jumbo jet, so we’d be flying on an American Airlines 707. I was still excited, but a little let down.
The year dragged on, but spring was soon approaching, and my mother buying all of us a vacation wardrobe was in full swing. Then the day came. Our departure day happened to be my last day of school. That meant a half day for me. I said goodbye to all my classmates, then walked home. My dad was due home from work any minute, and mom was nervously packing anything else she might need. My grandfather was on time to take us to DTW, stopping in front of our house in his brown Continental Mark III. When we arrived in San Diego, it was dark, and I was surprised instead of a jet walk, stairs were next to the plane for us to walk down and make our way to the terminal. We found my aunt an uncle and it was the beginning of the best trip ever. After visiting Disneyland, Sea World, Tijuana, and eating my first taco, my dad had to go back early to get back to work. My mom and I stayed a few more weeks until it was almost time to start the school year. She even started shopping for school clothes for me in California.
Then the day I dreaded was there, going back home. I was going to miss my cousins, and aunt and uncle, but it was time. My mother told me instead of changing planes in Chicago as we did in the spring, we’d be changing flights in Los Angeles. I thought it would be groovy to see a different city from the air. My uncle was late getting us to the airport, and we almost missed our flight. My mom was a wreck as they had to roll the stairs back out to the 727 for us. As we boarded, she apologized to just about everyone. The flight to LAX took less than 20 minutes, soon enough, my mom was trying to get us to the right gate. We checked in, then did some last minute shopping at the news stand. My mom made a quick call to my dad to say we made it to L.A. We went back to the gate to wait for boarding, and waiting there was the best surprise of the whole trip. A shiny American 747 was pulling into the gate. I looked at my mom in shock. “Are you happy?” she asked. I could barely speak. When they started boarding the plane, there were different jet walks for different sections. Of course my mom and I weren’t first class, but we made it to our seats soon enough. As we were seat, I thought there was no way this thing could get up in the air. I was wrong. We settled back waiting for lunch. My mom was hoping a stewardess could take me up top for a tour. My bubble was burst when she said the second floor was for first class only. She could tell I was disappointed, and after about 15 minutes, she brought back an American Airlines Ritchie Rich comic book, and American plastic wings for me. Then she said if I wanted I could go to the rear of the plane to see the lounge in back. I had to use the toilette, so I thought why not.
I walked through a divider in the rear section and couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a full size cocktail lounge back there, including a bar with a bartender. I went to the bathroom, then rushed back to tell my mom. “What are you talking about?” She didn’t believe me. I made her come to the back of the plane. She couldn’t believe it either. We sat in club chairs with chrome mushroom lamps on end tables between us, looking out at the Grand Canyon. It was the best flight ever. The smile on my dads face as we arrived in Detroit said it all. I told him it was the best part of the whole trip. He said if I was that easily impressed, he could have saved a lot of money by just flying me back and forth, no Disneyland or Mexico involved. So that’s my long story about my first flight on a 747.
I’m just hoping and praying that either Lufthansa or any other airline that currently still has 747s will keep them so that someday one day, I can maybe have the honor of saying that I am a 747 pilot. “So what do you do for a living?” “Oh, I’m a 747 pilot” dude, that’d just be so cool!
Ryanair +Lufthansa=best Planes ever
I love your positivity in this video, even though you experienced a bus boarding, that queue for the US security check and a delayed departure.
I know how bad it can get because i work in Frankfurt and feel bad for passengers. It's still refreshing to see that you dont complain and instead have this awe for travel through the sky. Stay this positive, i loved the video
Thanks! We love Frankfurt Airport! We even went behind the scenes to make a video. Check it out here: ruclips.net/video/Xe-6wtpAJ_w/видео.html
I was an international Flight Attendant working the 747 for 10 years and yes, the most amazing elegant ship in the sky
Great video Jeb & Suzanne truly INCREDIBLE! Flying Lufthansa’s ICONIC 747 UPSTAIRS in Biz Class!! WOW! 🤩
At 1:37 I’ve never flown on a 747 yet! I will be however flying on the queen of the skies with Lufthansa on a 747-400 from Washington Dulles(IAD-FRA) to Frankfurt in Late Dec 2024-Early January 2025!! I’m so excited At 2:43 The A380 Beautiful!! 😂😂😂 I laughed out loud it’s SO UGLY! I think Paul Stewart said it best in a recent video, only a mother could love that ugly duckling!! 🎉😅
Also I love how you reused the music from your first flight on the LH 747-8 from Dulles to Frankfurt!!!
Great job Jeb! I miss the Northwest Airlines 747-400s then Delta 748-400s, Air France 747-400s and KLM 747-400s all used to fly to Detroit sometimes it seems odd seeing the markings on the tarmac for the parking that says B747 without ANY 747s serving DTW anymore! 😔(Except for a Lufthansa 747-400 diverting to DTW for an emergency landing a few months ago) I also miss not seeing any TWA 747s anymore ?I never flew TWA but I loved their classic 747-100s and the bold red 1990s livery except for in scrapyards…
Your friend
Caleb’s Aviation!
amazing plane! I cant lie, i imagined the top being full of super nice private seats not just a 2/2 setup
My first flight ever was in a B747-400. I was 14 years old. Buenos Aires to Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Always a big fan of this aircraft
My first time on a 747 was with CP Air from Manchester to Toronto in 1980. Since then, I've flown the Queen many times - an experience that always captivates me.
My first flight was in 8th grade also. I flew with my parents and brother from LAX to HNL. My dad knew a VP with PanAm. We sat in 1st class. It was the first 6 or 8 rows downstairs. We went upstairs for dinner. I just remember how special I felt eating at a table with a linen tablecloth, real china, crystal drink ware, and sterling utensils. It was a magical trip. The last time I flew on a 747 was as a graduation present when I was 18. My friend and I were in the 2nd row. In front of us was Muhammad Ali and his new wife. He was really friendly, offering us gum before we took off. I can't believe I'll never fly on a 747 ever again
P.S. the last flight was also LAX to HNL also.
My first 747 flight was in 1985, from Chicago to Seattle, the second of a 3-leg trip from Buffalo to Anchorage. I was lucky enough to get a seat next to the forward galley. I was mesmerized watching the elevators carrying carts and flight attendants up and down to the lower galley! I could also see the dumb waiter going up and down from the upper deck. What wonderful memories!
Jeb every category deserves 5 stars, that experience must have been awesome
Nothing better than a 747!
Flying B747 is always a unique expirience..Fligh from Chicago-Frankfurt,same with Lufthansa will remember forever and mention 5stars in total score⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been lucky enough to have to have flown on a 747 countless times but my first memory is from 1985 being 5 years old with mum & dad flying on a Boeing 747 Singapore Airlines from Melbourne to Singapore-what an experience for a 5 year old watching a movie on board & with a big screen (back then) & the cabin crew made me feel so special & took me to the cockpit to meet the captain I still remember it so clearly .. the sheer size & magnitude of this magnificent aircraft is astounding ❤️ the good old days
Even into 2024, Lufthansa is still clinging on to those 747’s for dear life.
My first memory of the 747 was on an Aerolineas Argentina flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid in 1992!!!! Next month I will fly in business on "The Queen" as we call the 747 of Lufthansa. The Buenos Aires- Frankfurt route is the longest route of that airline. Thank you!!!
1979. British Airways, Heathrow to Melbourne. Stopping in Zurich, Jeddah, Bombay, Singapore and Melbourne. Unforgettable. I even remember the movie they showed. It was 'Sunburn'. Happy days.
My first 747 flight, 1998 San Francisco to Manila. Been a HUGE fan of the 747 ever since. Have flown many types of planes from both Boeing and Airbus. Always felt the safest on them. The 747 is the King of the skies! Sad to see them go.
my first flight, when I was 5 years old, was on a TWA 747. I remember going upstairs with my parents to the lounge. My father wore a suite and tie and my norther a dress. I remember being served a coke and feeling like such a "grown up". Thanks for the great vlog!
My first flight on a 747 was in 1983. My wife and I flew from Chicago to Honolulu non stop on Tower Air. The aircraft smelled like a locker room. There was an overhead panel that came loose and the flight attendant pulled out the duct tape. She peeled off an arms length strip of tape, used her teeth to tear it from the rool and stick it to the top panel. Awesome trip!
I used to fly the People’s Express 747 back in the mid late 80’s. Phenomenal flights to LA for $99!
By the way, Loved the flyover Long Island!
I grew up there.
Nobody can afford to live there, but a great place to grow up.
When I was an inflight manager for TWA I worked on the 747! it was a great experience, and flew on the 74 from LAX To JFK, JFK to ATH via CDG!! Those where the days!!!
There are many folks like yourself that do such videos but you are def one of the best ...the narration the humour the style the delivery is perfect...and your constructive comments were done with style and gratitude ❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤and i did so love it
My first 747 flight was in early October 1982. I had gone on the QE2 to England with my parents, and we flew home on a British Airways 747 to Chicago in economy class, a memorable flight. My 2nd 747 flight was on KLM in late May 1992, flying from Minn. , MN to Amsterdam, that was a great flight. The service was amazing, the flight attendants seemed to come around to give us water or drinks every few minutes, best service I have ever had on an airplane, and that was economy class! I want to take the Lufthansa 747-8 from Frankfurt to Chicago in Sept. I love 747's! In five days I will take a Lufthansa 787-9 from Denver to Frankfurt, and then take a connecting flight to Basel , Switzerland. I've never flown on a Dreamliner or Lufthansa, will be in Premium economy for the flight!
I am from hong Kong and I’m a KLM pilot fora 747 so I am very happy to know that u enjoyed the flight from us
My memory of flying on a 747 business class was back in 2007 from NY JFK to Mumbai India for a work business trip. It was the best experience. Then in 2019 I flew from EWR (Newark NJ) to Switzerland on a 747 and that was an amazing trip as well and especially flying over the Alps! what an amazing view that was!
My first time ever crossing the Atlantic was on a Lufthansa 747-400 from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt. I was lucky enough to do it several more times, and one memorable time I got to go upstairs to visit the flight deck before departure! Such an incredible experience every time.
My first 747 was on Qantas from Los Angeles to Sydney. With only 16 seats it was like flying on a private jet. Once we were in the air the flight attendants came around with cotton pajamas with the Qantas logo on the front. We had our own pajama party up there. I will never forget that flight as long as I live.
Had several trips from Australia to London business class at the top of the 747 - will never forget the experience "The Queen of the Skies"
Still beautiful even today.
The first 747 was introduced in 1969 but the design never gets old.
I remember my first 747 flight was on British airways, and we departed jfk during the evening of july 4th. Seeing fireworks outside the window was such an amazing experience!
My first 747 flight was with Lufthansa in 1990 from Frankfurt to Sydney, Australia ❤ It included a brief refuelling stop in Bangkok. we were well taken care off during that long haul flight. Good times ❤
Outstanding. I sat upstairs on Lufthansa from Orlando to Frankfurt back in NOV 2019. What an incredible experience.
Nice video! I’m a 15 year old and I have actually flown a 747 in 2014 with Lufthansa in business class (my parents have lots of money) and it was absolutely fantastic. The flight was from London to Bali with a stopover in Frankfurt. Nice video as always, gave me a lot of nostalgia.
Couldn’t agree more with you-the achievement of the B747 variants for humanity allowed nearly everyone on this planet to travel affordably… so astonishing an invention it’s right up there with both Concorde and the awesome achievement of the moon landing which all happened about the same time :-) Thank you 🙏🏽
August 1987, when I was 12. Wardair 747. Toronto to Manchester. First airplane ride ever. Sat in the back smoking section. Even got a trip to the flightdeck. I amazed, and hooked.