Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 333,400 kg (735,000 lbs)
Passenger Capacity: The Boeing 747-100 could carry up to 366 passengers in a typical 3-class configuration or up to 490 passengers in an all-economy configuration.
Engines: Powered by 4 Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines, each producing around 43,000 pounds of thrust.
Unique Design: The 747-100 introduced the iconic "humpback" design, with a raised upper deck over the forward fuselage, making it instantly recognizable.
Cockpit: The flight deck included analog instruments and was designed to accommodate a 3-person crew.
History & Development
Performance & Operations
History & Development
Development: The Boeing 747-100 was the world’s first wide-body, twin-aisle airliner and became known as the "Jumbo Jet." It was developed as part of a $1 billion project by Boeing, led by designer Joe Sutter. The 747-100 had its first flight on February 9, 1969 and entered service with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in January 1970.
Launch: The aircraft was designed for long-haul flights and quickly became a symbol of air travel expansion, offering airlines a high-capacity solution for transcontinental and international routes.
Key Milestones: The 747-100 set a new standard for air travel with its introduction, paving the way for future generations of 747s, including the 747-200 and 747-400. It was also a significant step in the development of wide-body aircraft, influencing future designs like the Airbus A380.
Operators: The 747-100 was operated by Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), TWA (Trans World Airlines), Qantas, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), Air France, Alitalia, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, American Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Avianca, Aerolineas Argentinas, Finnair, Air India.
Performance & Operations
Performance & Operations
Performance & Operations
Range: The Boeing 747-100 has a range of about 5,150 nautical miles (9,500 km), which allows it to fly long-haul routes, such as from the United States to Europe or Asia.
Cruising Speed: The typical cruising speed of the 747-100 is Mach 0.85, or around 567 mph (913 km/h).
Notable Flights: The 747-100 made its mark with Pan Am by flying passengers on long-haul flights, including the first transpacific 747 flight between the US and Japan. It also was part of the first commercial flight from New York to Hong Kong.
Safety Record: The 747-100 had a generally good safety record, though a few early incidents and crashes occurred during its service years. The aircraft contributed to improved aviation safety standards over time.
Retirement: The 747-100 was eventually retired from commercial service in the early 1980s, replaced by the more fuel-efficient and longer-range 747-200 and subsequent variants. Many of the 747-100s were converted into freighters or scrapped as newer models came into service.
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