What is the largest passenger plane in use today?
What is the largest passenger plane in use today? Airbus A380 The world's largest passenger carrier is powered by four extremely powerful Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofans, each producing a thrust of 332.44–356.81 kN (74,740–80,210 lbf).
Will Boeing ever build the 747 again?
No more 747s are being made, but Boeing notes that they're still taking flight. The 1970s version even inspired one man to build a ground-based replica. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come, Boeing's Smith said. Copyright 2023 NPR.
Are A380s still being made?
Airbus ended manufacture of the A380 in 2021, with just 252 of the 500 passenger double-deckers built. The plane required a crew of 23 (two pilots and 21 flight attendants), special airport gates, strengthened runways for its million-pound take-off weight, and plenty of kerosene for its four thirsty engines.
Why do US airlines not use the 747?
Former United CEO Oscar Munoz shared precisely why his company decided to retire the jet. He explained that it had started to become a struggle to maintain. Ultimately, the age of the type has reduced its efficiency across the board.
Why is the 747 no longer popular?
Built in 1967 to produce the mammoth jet, it remains the world's largest manufacturing plant according to Boeing. But after five decades, customer demand for the 747 eroded as Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA) developed more fuel efficient two-engine widebody planes.
Why is the A380 being retired?
That was one of the reasons Air France, the first European airline to fly the jet, decided to ditch A380 on August 5. The estimated cost of upgrading economy and business classes, at over $45 million (£37m), was just too much compared to investing into newer aircraft instead.
Why did no US airlines buy the A380?
The arrival of the A380 in 2007 was poorly timed. The price of jet fuel had begun to creep up, and by 2007 was floating at around $4 a gallon. This made airlines shy away from the expensive to operate four engine jets of the 80s and 90s, and to look instead to fuel efficiency as a major deciding factor.
Is there a triple decker plane?
Is there a triple-decker plane? As we have already mentioned, technically speaking, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747 are triple-decked aircraft when including the cargo decks.
Will Boeing ever bring back the 747?
The Queen of the Skies makes a comeback The 747 continues in production with the 747-8. Boeing, however, announced in July that production will end when the final orders are complete. These are now all for freighter versions, with all passenger orders delivered.
Who bought the last 747?
In a ceremony that was broadcast live online, the aircraft was handed over to its new owner, US air cargo operator Atlas Air, at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington.
How many 747 are left?
There were 440 Boeing 747 aircraft in active airline service as of August 2023, comprising 0 747-100s, 2 747SPs, 19 747-200s, 4 747-300s, 261 747-400s, and 154 747-8s. These aircraft are listed by airline operators and variant in the following table.
What is the 747 being replaced with?
Boeing's 777X, its latest passenger plane model and projected replacement for the 747, is set for delivery in 2025.
Is Boeing 777 bigger than 747?
According to Boeing's data, the 777-9 has a total length of 251 feet 9 inches (76.72 meters). The 747-8 is just a bit smaller at 250 feet 2 inches (76.3 meters). The 777-9 is the longest commercial aircraft ever built.
Has a 747 ever ditched?
Crashes that destroy the airframe are the most obvious answer, but minor, low-speed incidents on the ground can also bring a plane's career to an end. This was the case for a Saudia Boeing 747-300, which taxied into a ditch in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.
Why was the Boeing 777 discontinued?
The trijet 777 was later dropped, following marketing studies that favored the 757 and 767 variants. Boeing was left with a size and range gap in its product line between the 767-300ER and the 747-400.
What will replace the 747 and A380?
With the Boeing 747 program coming to an end, the 777X will become Boeing's flagship big plane. Over at Airbus, production of the A380 has also ended. However, the A380 is a newer plane than the 747, and still has a fair bit more flying to do.
Are there still 2 story planes?
But the air travel industry is moving away from bulky double-decker planes. Boeing stopped manufacturing 747s earlier this year, rolling out the last of the jumbo jets from its assembly line on February 1, 2023. So now more than ever, flying in the upper deck of a 747 is on many travelers' dream itineraries.