EVERETT, Wash. - Boeing's giant Everett plant was built during the 1960s for the sole purpose of creating a jet the size the world had not seen in an airliner: the 747.
And nearly 45 years since the jet went into service, Boeing is still building a dramatically updated version of the 747, called the 747-8. The 747-8 comes as both a cargo jet and passenger plane with new engines and larger capacity. The new jet is built around fuel efficiency, some 16 percent better than the previous 747-400, the company claims.
But during the biggest order boom in commercial aviation history, the 747 has no new orders for 2014. Neither does the even larger Airbus 380 that only entered service in 2007 and is not available as a freighter.
Just last week, Boeing said it would trim 747 production by two airplanes per year. Airbus' chief financial officer is reported to have told analysts in London that ending A380 production in 2018 was an option.
Our story shows you the differences in opinion between analysts who think giant jets are on their way out, and why Boeing is still optimistic about the 747's future in the decades ahead.
