I may never again fly aboard the 'Queen of the Skies'. British Airways is joining the list of airlines that are retiring the mighty 747. For over 50 years, the 747 dominated the wide-body jet market and flew over four billion people around the globe. That's equal to the entire 1974 population of the planet—a staggering achievement.

The passenger 747 is gone from US airlines completely. Both United Airlines and Delta retired their 747s at the end of 2017. Outside the US, you can still catch a 747-400 with Virgin Atlantic, Thai Airways, KLM, Qantas and Lufthansa. Yet, you'll see them disappear over the next few years. Lufthansa, Air China and Korean Air are keeping the dream alive for a bit longer with the newest version of the family, the 747-8 Intercontinental. But Boeing doesn't expect further orders.

The 747-8, launched in 2010, comes with engines that are more efficient, cleaner, and quieter. Nonetheless, orders slumped, with a backlog of only 21. By the end of its 747 production run, Boeing will have produced 1,555 airframes.

With luck, that last batch of 747's that leave Renton may fly until 2050, most probably in the cargo role.

Regrettably, it seems the era of mega-sized jets is coming to an end. Covid-19 has hastened that process. But even before Covid-19, a combination of market forces, coupled to environmental regulations, favoured the twin-engined jets.

The Airbus 380, launched as direct competition to the 747 in 2000, fell foul of the same factors. With only 319 A380s sold, 142 of which went to Emirates, it never proved a real challenge to the 747.

For over 50 years, the 747 dominated the wide-body jet market and flew over four billion people around the globe. That's equal to the entire 1974 population of the planet—a staggering achievement.

The 747 went beyond being an aeroplane as it morphed into a symbol of the modern connected world. Academics have long argued that the 747 proved an instrument of social advancement. Because the economics of the plane allowed a large number of coach class seats at affordable prices, it brought international travel to many millions of people.

Also, the 747 acted as a microcosm of our affluent world, which despite progress retains distinct stratifications of wealth. I was fortunate to travel business class a couple of times, and once by an up-grade found myself in CX first-class. That's a nice feeling.

I still remember the thrill of climbing the stairs to the upper deck with its cosy, detached atmosphere. And yet the utility of the machine comes unchanged. Everybody departs and arrives at the same time, albeit with different levels of comfort.

I always felt safe on the 747. It's reputation, the size of the machine, those four engines and the space inside all combined to provide a sense of assurance. My attitude was never dented by pilot friends telling me that with four engines, there is more that can go wrong.

Plus, I'll never forget November 3 1993, when I saw a 747 floating in Hong Kong harbour as startled passengers huddled on the runway embankment. The crash call came as I reported on duty at Mongkok Police Station, where I commanded a traffic unit. I rushed to the scene in heavy rain, deploying my officers to clear a route from Kai Tak Airport to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. As I rode along the Kai Tak taxiway, the sight of a China Airlines 747 afloat took my breath away.

Flight 605 had attempted to land in Typhoon Ira. Unfortunately, the pilot misjudged it, landed late on the runway and couldn't slow down in time. All aboard survived with a few minor injuries.

That day was in my mind as I approached Chep Lap Kok Airport aboard a Singapore Airlines 747-400 on August 22 1999. Buffeted by Tropical Storm Sam, my family and felt the plane shudder and jolt sideways. After one go-around, we landed safely. The MD-11 arriving after us didn't fare so well. A hard touchdown, followed by a bounce, had the aircraft upside down with the right-wing detached. Two passengers died, as I counted my blessings, notching up another reason to hold the 747 in high regard.

As I write this, another cargo 747 is hauling its way skyward above Kowloon heading for Tokyo. This goodbye may prove to be the longest in aviation history.

747 — The Long Farewell