Editing Boeing 747 (section)

=== Improved 747 versions ===
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| image1            = SAS Boeing 747-B Huge Viking Interior of cabin (cropped).jpg
| caption1          = Upper deck lounge configuration on an early 747
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| caption2          = Stretched upper deck cabin of later 747s with six-abreast seating
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After the initial {{not a typo|747-100}}, Boeing developed the {{nowrap|-100B}}, a higher [[maximum takeoff weight]] (MTOW) variant, and the {{nowrap|-100SR}} (Short Range), with higher passenger capacity.<ref name="Boe_747_classics">[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/pf/pf_classic_back.html "Boeing 747 Classics"]. ''The Boeing Company''. Retrieved: December 15, 2007.</ref> Increased maximum takeoff weight allows aircraft to carry more fuel and have longer range.<ref>[http://active.boeing.com/commercial/cas/index.cfm?content=include/solutions.cfm&pageid=m34945 "Solutions Center."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015205312/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/cas/index.cfm?content=include%2Fsolutions.cfm&pageid=m34945 |date=October 15, 2015 }} ''The Boeing Company''. Retrieved: December 13, 2007.</ref> The {{nowrap|-200}} model followed in 1971, featuring more powerful engines and a higher MTOW. Passenger, freighter and combination passenger-freighter versions of the {{nowrap|-200}} were produced.<ref name=Boe_747_classics /> The shortened [[Boeing 747SP|747SP]] (special performance) with a longer range was also developed, and entered service in 1976.<ref>[http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=98 "Boeing 747SP."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030225056/http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=98 |date=October 30, 2006}} ''Airliners.net''. Retrieved: November 23, 2007.</ref>

The 747 line was further developed with the launch of the {{not a typo|747-300}} on June 11, 1980, followed by interest from Swissair a month later and the go-ahead for the project.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|86}} The 300 series resulted from Boeing studies to increase the [[seating capacity]] of the 747, during which modifications such as fuselage plugs and extending the upper deck over the entire length of the fuselage were rejected. The first {{not a typo|747-300}}, completed in 1983, included a stretched upper deck, increased cruise speed, and increased seating capacity. The -300 variant was previously designated 747SUD for stretched upper deck, then 747-200 SUD,<ref name= "owner_guide">[http://www.aircraft-commerce.com/sample_articles/sample_articles/owners_guide.pdf "Aircraft Owner's and Operator's Guide: 747-200/300"](PDF). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009004335if_/http://www.aircraft-commerce.com/sample_articles/sample_articles/owners_guide.pdf |date=October 9, 2011 }}''Aircraft Commerce''. Retrieved: July 15, 2011.</ref> followed by 747EUD, before the 747-300 designation was used.<ref name="airl_300">[http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=99 "Boeing 747-300"]. ''Airliners.net''. Retrieved: June 3, 2011.</ref> Passenger, short range and combination freighter-passenger versions of the 300 series were produced.<ref name= Boe_747_classics />

In 1985, development of the longer range [[Boeing 747-400|747-400]] began.<ref>Lawrence and Thornton 2005, p. 54.</ref> The variant had a new [[glass cockpit]], which allowed for a cockpit crew of two instead of three,<ref>Salpukas, Agis. [https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/business/jal-orders-15-more-of-boeing-s-747-400-s.html "J.A.L. Orders 15 More of Boeing's 747-400s"]. ''Time'', July 1, 1988. Retrieved: December 17, 2007.</ref> new engines, lighter construction materials, and a redesigned interior. Development costs soared, and production delays occurred as new technologies were incorporated at the request of airlines. Insufficient workforce experience and reliance on overtime contributed to early production problems on the {{not a typo|747-400}}.<ref name=ucfc747 /> The -400 entered service in 1989.<ref name="Norris_p88">Norris 1997, p. 88.</ref>

In 1991, a record-breaking 1,087 passengers were flown in a 747 during a [[Operation Solomon|covert operation to airlift Ethiopian Jews to Israel]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2021 |title=El Al Israel Airlines' History. The 1990s. |url=https://www.elal.com/en/About-ELAL/About-ELAL/History/Pages/Decade-90.aspx |access-date=July 24, 2021 |publisher=El Al Israel Airlines |language=en}}</ref> Generally, the 747-400 held between 416 and 524 passengers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Angelucci |first=Angelucci |title=World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft |date=2001 |publisher=Chartwell Books |isbn=0-7858-1389-6 |location=Spain |page=403}}</ref> The 747 remained the heaviest commercial aircraft in regular service until the debut of the [[Antonov An-124]] Ruslan in 1982; variants of the 747-400 surpassed the An-124's weight in 2000. The [[Antonov An-225 Mriya|Antonov An-225 ''Mriya'']] [[cargo aircraft|cargo transport]], which debuted in 1988, remains the world's largest aircraft by several measures (including the most accepted measures of maximum takeoff weight and length); one aircraft has been completed and was in service until 2022. The [[Scaled Composites Stratolaunch]] is currently the largest aircraft by [[wingspan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Stratolaunch Flies World's Largest Plane for the First Time |url=https://www.space.com/stratolaunch-flies-worlds-largest-plane-first-time.html |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref>