IATA 742ICAO B742

Boeing 747-200

Boeing

TravelerPulse profile

The original jumbo jet, redefining long-haul air travel.

First flight

1971

Category

Wide-body jet

Seating

366–452 (typical three-class or two-class)

Range

12,700 km

Engines

Four turbofan engines (Pratt & Whitney JT9D, General Electric CF6, or Rolls-Royce RB211)

Status

Retired (from most passenger service)

The Boeing 747-200 is an improved variant of the original 747-100, introduced in the early 1970s with more powerful engines, increased fuel capacity, and greater range. It became the workhorse of long-haul international aviation throughout the 1970s and 1980s, operating routes across the Atlantic and Pacific for major carriers worldwide. The -200 was offered in several sub-variants including the 747-200B passenger version, the 747-200F freighter, and the 747-200C convertible model, providing operators with considerable flexibility. Its four high-bypass turbofan engines and double-deck fuselage gave it unmatched capacity and range for its era. Although largely retired from passenger service by major airlines, some 747-200 airframes continued operating as freighters well into the 21st century. Its introduction fundamentally changed the economics of air travel by dramatically lowering per-seat costs on high-density routes.

Notable operators

Major operators included Pan Am, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Japan Airlines, and Qantas.

Notable facts

›The 747-200 introduced more powerful engine options compared to the original 747-100.
›A dedicated freighter variant, the 747-200F, became a major cargo aircraft worldwide.
›The aircraft's upper deck hump became an iconic symbol of commercial aviation.
›The 747-200 was used as the basis for the US Air Force's VC-25A presidential transport (Air Force One).
›It could carry over 400 passengers in a high-density configuration, revolutionizing mass air travel.