Boeing 747

Future development

The 747 is the only Boeing jetliner never to be stretched beyond its original design length. This has been mainly due to the uncertain economics of the commercial airline business, and the lack of suitable engines. Many different stretching schemes for the 747 have been proposed, but none have come to fruition. The 747-X program was launched in 1996, and was intended to be Boeing's response to Airbus' A3XX proposal. The 747-X would have consisted of the 747-500X and 747-600X which would have provided seating for up to 800 passengers. General Electric and P&W formed the Engine Alliance and designed the GP7200 turbofan to power the stretched 747. Airlines, however, would have preferred Boeing to develop an all-new design instead of an updated 747, and the plan was dropped after a few months.

Related Topics:
1996 - Airbus - A3XX - Engine Alliance - GP7200

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When the Airbus A380 was formally launched in 2000, Boeing dusted off its 747-X studies in a bid to thwart sales of the Airbus competitor. But once again airlines were not interested, and Boeing cancelled the program in 2001 after no orders were forthcoming, devoting its energies to the ill-fated Sonic Cruiser. Some of the ideas developed for the 747-X were, however, used in the production of the 747-400ER.

Related Topics:
Airbus A380 - 2000 - 2001 - Sonic Cruiser

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The long-term future of the 747 is now in doubt—its dominance on long-haul routes has been eroded in recent years by the new generation of ETOPS-compatible twinjets such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing's own 767 and 777. Despite Boeing's claims that the A380 can never be profitable, Airbus has already sold a considerable number of the giant aircraft. Previously loyal 747 customers such as Qantas, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines have ordered the A380, and sales of the passenger 747 have dwindled to almost nothing. The most recent order for a passenger 747 was in November 2002 and only 16 have been delivered since then. Freighter versions of the 747 have kept the production line going although orders for these have also declined in recent years, many carriers preferring to convert passenger aircraft such as MD-11s to freighters.

Related Topics:
ETOPS - Airbus A330 - 767 - 777 - Qantas - Virgin Atlantic - Singapore Airlines - MD-11

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Nonetheless, in early 2004, Boeing rolled out tentative plans for what it calls the 747 Advanced. As the first A380 prototypes edged ever closer to their first flight, this was evidence that the company was prepared to challenge Airbus. Essentially another "recycle" of 747-X plan, the stretched 747 Advanced intends to use advanced technology from the 787 to update the aircraft.

Related Topics:
2004 - 747 Advanced - 787

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