Boeing and Atlas Air Worldwide marked the delivery of the final 747 aircraft to Atlas, bringing to a close more than a half-century of production.

Boeing employees who designed and built the first 747, known as the "Incredibles," returned to be honoured at the Everett factory, where the journey of the 747 began in 1967.

The factory produced 1,574 aeroplanes over the life of the program.

Delivery of final "Queen of Skies" to Atlas Air

"This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the aeroplane that 'shrank the world' and revolutionized travel and air cargo as the first widebody," said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the 'Queen' will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo."

John Dietrich, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, said the company is honoured to continue flying this iconic aircraft for its customers around the world.

"Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts," Dietrich said.

"We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 programs as we operate the aircraft for decades to come," he added.

As the first twin-aisle aeroplane and "jumbo jet," the "Queen of the Skies" enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights.

The aeroplane's core design, with its distinctive hump and seating on the upper deck, has delighted generations of passengers and operators alike.

Boeing continued to improve on the original design with models like the 747-400 in 1988 and the final 747-8 model that was launched in 2005; across all the models.

Last December, the last B-747 aeroplane left the American planemaker's facility in Everett, Washington marking the end of an era for the "queen of skies."

The final 747 — a 747-8 Freighter — then underwent standard testing of fuel and other systems before the recent delivery to Atlas Air which has purchased Boeing's last three 747s.

British Airways retired its entire Boeing 747 fleet immediately in 2020 due to the continuing downturn in travel caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

Qantas Airways also announced its final Boeing 747-400 flight on July 22, 2020, marking the end of service of its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet.