Participants were emotional as they took photos near the airplane and at a special selfie station .
“ It ’ s really cool to think about how many families and generations have worked on this airplane . It ’ s making me emotional ,” said Nathalie Moyano , who works in Digital Transformation .
“ When I first had my internship at Boeing , I came to the factory on a tour above the plane ,” she continued . “ It was the most incredible thing to just see the wings — standing above them — and realizing that thing flies . It ’ s amazing we build these products .”
Atlas Air , the world ’ s largest operator of the airplane took delivery of the final airplane , bringing its current 747 fleet to 56 .
The hour-plus event featured remarks by past and present Boeing leaders and customer representatives .
Renowned entertainer ( and pilot ) John Travolta , who provided narration for many of the videos at the event , even made a surprise appearance .
The 747 program employed tens of thousands of people during its production run , and those on the program at the end are being integrated into other programs .
The final 747 now joins hundreds of its kind serving the in-service fleet , which will be delivering people and goods around the world for decades .
“ We turn a page today , but we don ’ t close the book ,” said Stan Deal , Boeing Commercial Airplanes president & CEO . “ While it is bittersweet to see 747 production ending , Boeing teammates will be supporting our customers operating these highly capable airplanes for many years to come .”
Atlas Air gave the Queen a fitting flyaway ; after the aircraft left Boeing ’ s Everett plant , pilots traced a crown in the sky with “ 747 ” in the middle .
20 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS