John Travolta bids sad farewell to iconic jumbo jet which draws 747 in sky

Virgin Radio

2 Feb 2023, 12:20

It's not often we get emotional about planes, but this has tweaked a nostalgic string in our hearts. Boeing has said goodbye to its classic jumbo jet after 55 years and honoured the air-exit by leaving a trail of the number 747 in the sky. Hollywood actor and pilot John Travolta was the guest of honour at Boeing’s tribute at the Everett, Washington plant.

Thousands of workers joined Travolta, Boeing and global industry executives for the ceremony marking the delivery of the last one to cargo carrier Atlas Air.

Travolta narrated a recording and appeared on the stage speaking about his love of the Queen of the Skies.

“Even when you understand the science behind flight, there’s nothing like seeing a 747 take flight to remind you that there’s also magic here,” Travolta said. 

"I earned my wings and experienced the most well thought out aircraft ever built. .. I thank every engineer, every mechanic and every support person who contributed to building the 747s. You are awesome."

Over the years, the iconic Boeing 747 plane revolutionised travel, connected international cities via direct routes for the first time and made passenger flight accessible to everyone.

It marked its final journey by circling in the sky from Paine Field (Snohomish County Airport) to Northern Kentucky International Airport and the flightpath honoured its last hurrah by forming a giant 747 in the sky.

The giant jet, whose first flight was in 1969, has had multiple talents over the years including serving as a cargo plane, a commercial aircraft carrying 500 passengers, a transport for NASA’s space shuttles, and the Air Force One presidential aircraft.

However, Boeing and its European rival Airbus have 'introduced more profitable and fuel efficient wide-body planes, with only two engines to maintain instead of the 747*s four'.

Aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia said: "If you love this business, you’ve been dreading this moment.

"Nobody wants a four-engine airliner anymore, but that doesn’t erase the tremendous contribution the aircraft made to the development of the industry or its remarkable legacy."

Boeing's Twitter account wrote: "Good night, cruel world."

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