The rolling out of the final 747 brings to an end 54 years of production of the aircraft, which was credited with bringing affordable air travel to the world.

The final 747, a freighter, will be delivered to cargo airline Atlas Air in in early 2023. 

The 747 has been superseded by twin engine jets which are more fuel efficient and many airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, retired their fleets during the pandemic. An updated passenger version of the 747 was produced, but only Lufthansa, Air China and Korean Air operate it.

"For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world,”. said Kim Smith, Boeing vice president and general manager, 747 and 767 programmes.

The last of the 1,574 aircraft to be produced will fly for the next 25-30 years. “We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," said Smith.
 
The final aircraft, a 747-8, has a revenue payload of 133.1 tonnes, enough to transport 10,699 solid gold bars or approximately 19 million ping-pong or golf balls.