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boringhistoryfan t1_izcvj3i wrote

Reply to comment by AllAmericanSeaweed in End of an era as final Boeing 747 rolls off assembly line by maxxspeed

I gather they've largely been phased out of passenger carrying though. The new one, and most of the last produced set are all being used in Freight I think? The newer long haul planes like Dreamliners give much better fuel economy v passenger load than the old 747s from what I gather.

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ivytea t1_izcyzgf wrote

Even freighters are starting to use converted twin jets now as ETOPS becomes a reality and the reason why 747 still stays is because 1.higher MTOW and high attitude airport operation due to additional engines 2. Oversized and odd shaped cargo which calls for a dedicated front loading door which is only available on factory new 747 and not even the on converted freighters

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mccoyn t1_izdxmox wrote

ETOPS -Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards

MTOW - Maximum Takeoff Weight

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boringhistoryfan t1_izcz8f9 wrote

I wonder what will happen as the 747 is phased out for freight though. Because I gather that the bit about operation and the front door make it a pretty valuable carrier in lots of cases.

Will someone develop a freight specific jet? With features emulating what the outgoing 747 can do? Or would they move those things onto slower transports like shipping?

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