The Boeing 747 (more commonly known as the Jumbo Jet) is a four-engine, long-haul, jet airliner built by Boeing since 1968
Description
The 747 is most well-known as the first jumbo jet and for its iconic partial double deck and raised cockpit. First models of the aircraft had a smaller upper deck with a lounge, however following the 747-300 it only has seating. It was initially developed as a cargo aircraft, and while the passenger version has been successful, airlines seem more interested in the cargo version.
A Taiwan Southern Airlines 747-400 takes off from Honolulu Int'l Airport.
It was the world's largest passenger aircraft for nearly 40 years until the Airbus A380 stole the title with a full upper deck. The 747 remains in production, however, the interest in four-engine jets in the modern world is waning.
History
The 747 was developed in the 1960s, when the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 had rushed in the Jet Age. Pan Am officials approached Boeing with a desire for a very large four-engine jet. Developing the plane was extremely difficult, since nothing of this scale had been attempted before.
Nevertheless, Boeing promised to deliver the 747 by 1969. Since they had no existing factories large enough to produce it, they decided to build what would become the massive Everett plant in Washington. In 1970, they fulfilled their promise, and the 747-100 entered service.
In-Game
A 747-400 of Korean Airways passes over the Tokyo skyline.
Two 747 freighters, belonging to Japan Cargo and Asia Express, respectively.
The 747 appears in every Airport Hero game to date, and that pattern will likely continue given how iconic this aircraft is. Every version of the 747 appears in the game except for the -100 and the -300. Some airlines have exclusively 747 fleets, commonly cargo airlines.
Variants
B747-200
The 747-200 was introduced to replace the -100 on long-haul routes, which the latter was not built for. the -200 has a much longer range and more upper deck space. Production of this version ended in 1991.
In the game, the 747-200 is only used as the Japanese Government Transport and Air Force One, which it is known as the VC-25
B747-400
Another 747 cargo jet of Air Phoenix Cargo, which also uses the 747-8F.
A Hong Kong Bird 747 glides through the night.
The 747-400 is the most common variant of the jumbo jet in real-life and in the Airport Hero series. 339 units remain in service today. This version has a larger upper deck, larger capacity, and winglets on each wing.
It is used by multiple airlines. The 747-400D, a short-range version, also is used once.
- All Japan Airways (-400 and -400D)
- Thailand Air
- Unicorn Airlines
- Taiwan Southern Airlines
- Air Taiwan
- Sky German
- Korean Airways
- Hong Kong Bird
B747-400F
The VC-25 (modified 747-200) as United States Air Force One.
The freighter version of the 747-400 is also common in the game and used by many cargo airlines
B747-8
An Air Sonic Cargo 747-400F being loaded for a flight.
Also known as the 747-8i (for intercontinental), this is the latest addition to the 747 series. It is longer and has more deck space (in fact, it took the title of the world's longest passenger aircraft back from the A380). The -8 still makes an appearance in Airport Hero Osaka-KIX exclusively.
Only one airline operates the passenger 747-8.
B747-8F
A Thailand Air 747 takes off from Sapporo.
The cargo variant of the 747-8 is more popular than the passenger one. Just like the passenger version, the freighter is only seen in AH Osaka-KIX and operated by one cargo airline.