In 1970 the first, regularly-scheduled Boeing 747 departed New York City for London Heathrow -- the beginning of jumbo jet service anywhere in the world. It won't come as any surprise to you that it was not on time (it was, in fact, seven hours late due to technical problems). The carrier was Pan Am, once the great glamourpuss of the skies – there are lots of collectibles available online. Try eBay, here and and here. Pan Am may be gone, but the 747 is still very much with us, and will be getting a makeover when the first 747-8's, as they're called, come on line in 2010. The interiors will be similar to the sleek 787 Dreamliners.
written on Monday Jan 8, 2007
maiden voyage,
jumbo jet,
Pan Am.
