Boeing 747: this is how you fly in the 'Queen of the Skies'
“Lorraine, it's very easy; The importance of the 747 is mainly due to the fact that revolutionized the way of traveling , did cheaper and more accessible to much. Technologically, it provided most powerful engines of the time Y a wing that allowed it to fly much faster than the planes of its time ”.
are words of Paco Lopez , aviator and commander of Iberia , who, surprised by my question about the iconic Boeing jumbo jet , in the world of aviation no one doubts what this plane meant, he is full of explanations... and praise: "The upstairs (upper deck) added endless possibilities for luxury for the upper classes, that its main promoter, the Pan Am , knew how to take advantage of it wonderfully, and it is that he thinks that in those years the vast majority of airlines operated propeller planes and the most modern ones had B707 or DC8, single-aisle planes and high operating costs”, says López.
Boeing 747: this is how you fly in the 'Queen of the Skies'
SUPERSONIC HOPES
Contextualizing a little more, we now go back to 1965 , year in which Boeing developed the idea of designing a giant passenger plane . Encouraged by Pan Am, which wanted larger planes for its many overseas routes, by 1966 Boeing already had 25 orders from the airline. This is how the 747 was born, the most famous jet plane that has crossed the sky and that took off for the first time in commercial flight 50 years ago.
'The Queen of the Skies' , as this aircraft has been nicknamed, although it has a few more names, was born at a time as glorious as it was risky for commercial aviation, since at that time Boeing was also immersed in the design of a plane that could compete with the Concorde. (a project that would later end up being cancelled), so designing two aircraft at the same time was a challenge for the American company at a time when commercial supersonic hopes were high.
And fast. The future of aviation lay in a production plant that didn't even fit the plane itself, since never before had so much space been needed for an aircraft.
The famous staircase of the Pan Am Boeing 747 from the year 1969
Returning to the present moment, it is really difficult to see a 747 in Spanish airports, and those that exist, belong in charge . In the rest of Europe, airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa or British Airways they continue to have this icon among their fleet.
However, the sad reality is that his disappearance already has a date on the calendar . And it is sooner than later, in fact there is no longer any American airline operating this model. The reason is none other than its high costs and low efficiency, especially if we compare it with 'brothers' like the modern B787.
In addition to being an airplane tremendously comfortable From the passenger's point of view the 747 changed the way we fly forever thanks to its ability to transport hundreds of people, which greatly reduced costs, thus democratizing the way of flying, and consequently, tourism.
Economy class cabin on the first flight of the Pan Am Boeing 747
UPPER DECK: UP THE GLAMOR
Beyond curiosities such as the worldwide 747 fleet that has transported 3.5 billion passengers , the equivalent of half the world's population, or the ship usually takes off at 290 km/h , has a cruising speed of 910 km/h and lands at 260 km/h, it's not too late to experience the pleasure of flying in 'the queen'.
British Airways it is today the main operator worldwide of this icon (it has 32 units in its fleet) and from its communication department they proudly confirm that “They have achieved an improvement in fuel consumption of about 3% , which represents considerable savings throughout the useful life of an aircraft”, especially one like this, heavy and with a beautiful but old design that companies have stopped betting on to the detriment of more modern aircraft, light and sustainable. Goodbye, romance, goodbye.
The B747 operated by British Airways has a capacity to transport 345 passengers, distributed throughout, and at the top, of the four classes on the plane ** (first, business, premium economy and economy) **.
Contrary to what I imagined, the first-class cabin is not located on the top floor of the plane, but there is 20 business class seats where you can get an experience as similar as possible to flying in private jet , but doing it in this super Jumbo.
First class cabin on the first flight of Pan Am's Boeing 747, 'Upper Class'
This part is known as the upper deck and it's your own airplane hump , the badge that has made the silhouette of the 747 an icon. I managed to reserve my seat in this privileged area of the plane that is accessed through a ladder as soon as you board.
After a few steps that are much less sophisticated than those of the A380 - times change - I was surprised by this space through which you can also access the cockpit (cockpit) for his sense of privacy , its ceiling, which was quite low, and the configuration of its seats, which on the upper deck is quite light, only 20. They don't fit any more.
The British's new business class has as many admirers as detractors, and it is that despite the fact that its seat converts completely into a bed and has a ample storage space , window seats go reverse gear , which forces the passenger seated here to see his seatmate, the one in the aisle, from the front until, after takeoff, a partition can be raised that separates both passengers from prying eyes.
This not only happens in this model of aircraft, it is the usual configuration of the British airline that, after years of boredom, compete again in the first division with this new class configuration , a attentive service and his renewed catering , which now works Do&Co , a recent change that has done wonders for the quality of the food and that soon it will also supply Iberia flights , as well as their Madrid airport lounges . If you are a airplane food lover This is the news of the year.
Both the bedding (a cover for the seat, a pillow and a duvet) and the amenities, sheathed in a beautiful black leather vanity case, are from the British The White Company . Today, the British airline's commitment to improving its business class is undeniable.
But returning to the gastronomic issue, it is interesting to highlight how British has managed to become the flag bearer of different British icons in the sky , hence on all their afternoon flights, the snack becomes a complete Afternoon Tea which is served as if we were in the very center of London and even includes a scone. And yes, it can be repeated.
An interesting variety of teas to choose, champagne and even a cocktail menu prepared at the moment complete the offer of a on-board bar available throughout the flight , in addition to wines and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
For a moment I even visualized myself in the golden age of aviation when in the 60s and 70s the liters of champagne, hams and even caviar flowed and the passengers wore their best clothes through the carpeted corridors of this plane because it was time to fly.
So from the experience of flying aboard the brand new 747 I take with me on the one hand the emotion of having done it in a world aviation icon because, as confirmed by López, “there will not be a plane like it” , and the pity, on the other, that my flight only lasted 6 hours.
'The queen' already combs gray hair, but she is still in top form. God save the Queen.
The prying eyes of the new British business class