More than half a century since the original jumbo jet ushered in a glamorous new jet age, helping bring affordable air travel to millions of passengers, the last-ever Boeing 747 was scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday, marking the start of the final chapter for the much-loved airplane.
In a ceremony that will be broadcast live online at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, the aircraft will be handed over at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington, to its new owner, US air cargo operator Atlas Air.
While the final 747 won't be carrying paying passengers, its delivery is another milestone for the distinctive double-decker "Queen of the Skies," which revolutionized intercontinental travel while also appearing in James Bond films and even giving piggyback rides to the Space Shuttle.
