The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic commercial aircraft to ever grace the skies. Instantly recognizable by its unique shape and powerful presence, the 747 has been captivating and inspiring passengers around the world for decades. Although the aircraft’s days are now, sadly, numbered, it will forever be remembered fondly.

In this article, we take a look at the first variant of the Boeing 747 to be produced by the US manufacturer, the 747-100, and examine what the aircraft is worth today.

All About The Boeing 747-100

Development of the Boeing 747-100 began in the mid-1960s in response to a request from Pan Am for a new aircraft that could carry more guests over longer distances. At the time, air travel was expanding rapidly, and existing aircraft like the 707 were struggling to meet the growing demand. The 707 had just under 200 seats, while the 747 was capable of carrying well over 300, helping it to significantly bring down the cost of flying and making air travel more accessible to the mass market.

The Boeing 747-100 entered commercial service on January 22, 1970, with Pan Am, and over the years, the US manufacturer went on to build and deliver a total of 167 747-100s. The 747-100 was powered by four Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3A engines and accommodated around 360 passengers in a three-class configuration, or up to 452 in an all-economy class layout. The upper deck gave it a unique appearance, with many airlines initially choosing to use the space for luxurious lounges.

However, with the realization that more money could be made by using the space in other ways, the upper deck soon became home to premium seating options. Other airlines that went on to operate the Boeing 747-100 included Air China, American Airlines, Iran Air, Korean Air, Qantas, South African Airways, Trans World Airlines, and United Airlines.

How Much Is A Boeing 747-100 Worth Today?

The 747-100 began to roll off the production line in 1969, with airlines snapping them up for a cool $25 million. Accounting for inflation, that would be equivalent to around $190 million today. By way of a comparison, a Boeing 747-8 (the most recent passenger variant of the 747) has a standard list price of around $418 million. However, in reality, very few airlines actually end up paying the list price.

At the time, $25 million was a relatively high price for an aircraft, with the 707, for example, coming with a list price of between $4 million and $6 million (approximately $45 million in today’s money when adjusted for inflation). When it comes to the 747-100 today, an accurate valuation is difficult due to the aircraft’s age and limited supply. However, according to Aero Corner, the last known price of a 747-100 is from 2019, when the aircraft was valued at just $146.7 million.

A Closer Look At The Iconic Boeing 747

The 747 is seen by some as the most iconic of all passenger aircraft, up there with Concorde and the Airbus A380 as the trailblazers of their time. The aircraft soon attracted nicknames such as the Jumbo Jet and the Queen of the Skies. Before production ended in 2023, Boeing had built a total of 1,574 747s across all variants, with the 747-400 ultimately proving to be the most popular. The number of each of the main passenger variants delivered is shown in the table below, as per data from Boeing-747.com.

The last US passenger Boeing 747 flew for Delta Air Lines and was retired in December 2017. The SkyTeam carrier had inherited 16 747-400s from Northwest Airlines following the carriers’ merger, and the final example, registered as N666US, made its final scheduled passenger flight from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). After that, it embarked on a special farewell tour.

Seats on the commemorative flights were available to certain SkyMiles members as well as employees of the airline, with the aircraft flying Detroit (DTW) – Paine Field (PAE) – Seattle (SEA) – Atlanta (ATL) – Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP). Today, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 remains on display at the Delta Flight Museum at the carrier’s primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Examining The World’s Largest Operators Of The Boeing 747

Over the past 50 years, among the world’s largest operators of the Boeing 747 was Japan Airlines. At its peak, the carrier operated more than 65 747s across all four variants available at the time (the Boeing 747-100, 747-200, 747-300, and 747-400). Uniquely, Japan Airlines configured many of its 747s in a high-density configuration to be used on key domestic routes, such as Tokyo to Sapporo. The carrier retired its last 747 in March 2011.

Pan Am was another major operator of the Boeing 747, having been the aircraft’s launch customer back in 1970. The carrier operated an extensive fleet of 747-100s and 747-200s, as well as a number of 747SPs, which were a shortened version of the aircraft, capable of flying longer-range routes.

Qantas operated more than 60 Boeing 747s, with the aircraft becoming the workhorse of the airline’s long-haul routes, connecting Australia with both Europe and the US. The 747 was regularly seen on the so-called Kangaroo Route, linking key cities in Australia with European hubs with a stopover in Asia. The oneworld carrier took the decision to retire its 747s in July 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 747 Has A Somewhat Checkered Safety Record

Despite its fame and popularity with both airlines and passengers around the world, the Boeing 747 experienced several high-profile incidents that damaged its otherwise impressive safety record. Throughout its operational history, there were 64 hull losses of the 747, resulting in more than 3,700 fatalities. Some of the most notorious incidents are detailed in the table below.

With that being said, it is worth noting that several of the most deadly incidents involving the Boeing 747 were as a result of terrorist attacks and not due to problems with the aircraft itself. This reflects the fact that the height of its popularity coincided with aviation’s most dangerous years in terms of terrorism.

The Boeing 747 Today

Today, only a handful of Boeing 747s remain in commercial service around the world, with just three airlines (Lufthansa, Air China, and Korean Air) operating scheduled passenger flights. The latest data from ch-aviation shows that these carriers currently operate the following aircraft.

An Ongoing Legacy

Despite production ending in 2023, and airlines across the world gradually retiring their aging Boeing 747 fleets, the aircraft will forever be remembered thanks to its lasting legacy on the aviation industry that is still felt today. With its high passenger capacity, the 747 helped to open up air travel to the mass market, starting the boom in commercial air travel that has continued to grow almost every year since.

The Boeing 747 also paved the way for later, more modern high-capacity aircraft, such as the Airbus A380. Although somewhat of a niche aircraft, the A380 is instantly recognizable thanks to its double-deck passenger cabin, and the aircraft seems to have come into its own at Emirates, which operates more than 120 of the so-called Superjumbos.

Many are calling the Boeing 777X the logical replacement for the 747, thanks to its high passenger capacity. The aircraft’s two engines and lightweight fuselage also make it a much more fuel-efficient alternative. When it eventually enters commercial service (the 777X program has already been delayed by six years), the 777X will sport some unique features such as folding wingtips. However, it remains to be seen if it will make the same mark on aviation history as the 747 has.