"Boeing, Russian Firm Said Near $4 Billion Deal to Save 747" Boeing Co. is nearing a $4 billion deal with Russia’s largest air-freight company that would help extend the life of the iconic, hump-nosed 747 jumbo jet amid waning demand for four-engine aircraft, people close to the transaction said. The U.S. planemaker is in advanced talks with AirBridgeCargo Airlines and its Moscow-based parent, Volga-Dnepr Group, to convert a year-old commitment into more than 10 firm orders for 747-8 freighters, two of the people said. The agreement could be announced as soon as the Farnborough Airshow next month in England, according to four people briefed on the deal, who asked not to be identified because the talks are confidential. See: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...rm-to-save-747?cmpid=yhoo.headline&yptr=yahoo In 1970, we drove over to O'Hare Airport where we knew of a "back-alley" way to get right up to a high fence near the beginning of a busy runway. It was a much-bally-hoo'd arrival we wanted to witness: the first 747 delivered to an airline, Pan Am, the very first 747 arrival at O'Hare! Saw it coming, incredibly large, passed over us a scant 100 or so feet off the ground, all those tires hanging down underneath, it's shadow blotted out the light from the sky for a moment! This was an experience! Boeing had at that time released info that they would "break even" when production of the 747s reached 200. By last month, they had built 1,521! If I recall correctly, it was said they sold then for about $20 million apiece. Today, the final ones built are $400 million !(?).
Video: World's First Co-branded 777 Aircraft - Put Together Quickly China Aviation Daily | May 18, 2016
Here are a few pertinent pics. Inside the cockpit. 747 final assembly at the Boeing Everett Factory The Pratt & Whitney JT9D high-bypass turbofan engine was developed for the 747 The prototype 747 was first displayed to the public on September 30, 1968 China Airlines 747-400F with the nose cargo door open Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified 747 designed to transport the Space Shuttle
Good news indeed when people's jobs can be saved and company is expanding! Finally something nice in the news!!!
I wish Boeing would be bailed out to continue making the traditional 747 jet planes. That's the most popular here that I don't think the modern airbus can duplicate. And from what I had read before, Boeing is one of the largest employers in the aviation industry. I didn't know that it is having financial problems lately. When my husband first took a plane, he was lucky to get a flight of Philippine Airlines for London - a Boeing 747. He even described it to me in his letter that a row has 10 seats with 2 aisles and the seats are arranged with 3 on both sides and 4 seats in the middle, in between the 2 aisles. I cannot forget that because I was hoping to follow him to London. Until now, I still haven't take a 747 flight. I think the biggest plane I had taken was a Cathay Pacific airbus with only 8 seats in a row.
@Chrissy Page You are likely right! "Boeing International Headquarters" T"he Boeing International Headquarters (colloquially known as the Boeing Building and formerly known as the Morton International Building) is a 36-floor skyscraper located in the Near West Side of Chicago." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_International_Headquarters I would think "International" means Corporate.
@Corie Henson Corie, as a technically-educated person, you could not help but marvel at the interior size, spaciousness, and length of the 747 cabin. I hope you can fly in one someday. They are almost unimaginable in their size, smoothness, and overall appeal. One can wander up a spiral staircase to the second level, where drinks are served (at least in the early days, this may have changed).