Boeing

Boeing 747-400

744 B744 Out of Production

The Boeing 747-400 is the most successful variant of the 747, a four-engine wide-body recognisable by its raised upper deck and distinctive winglets. It seats about 416 passengers in two classes and up to 524 single-class, with four GE CF6-80C2B1F turbofans giving a range near 13,450 km at 913 km/h. First flown in 1988, the -400 is 70.7 metres long with a 64.4-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 412,775 kg. For roughly two decades it was the long-haul flagship of dozens of airlines and the standard for intercontinental travel, before more efficient twin-engine wide-bodies displaced the four-engine layout.

Dimensions

Length: 70,66 m
Wingspan: 64,44 m
Height: 19,41 m
Cabin Width: 6,10 m

Performance

Range: 13.450 km
Cruise Speed: 913 km/h
Max Speed: 988 km/h
Service Ceiling: 13.750 m
Category: ultra-long-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 416
Max Seats: 524
Cargo Volume: 175,00 m³
Size: wide-body

Engines

Count: 4
Type: Turbofan
Model: GE CF6-80C2B1F

Airlines (16)

Atlas Air 19 Air Atlanta Icelandic 13 United Airlines 5 China Airlines 4 Cathay Pacific 3 EVA Air 2 Air China 1 Qantas 1 Asiana Airlines 1 Royal Air Maroc 1 Singapore Airlines Cargo 1 Transaero Airlines 1 Malaysia Airlines 1 British Airways 1 Delta Air Lines 1 Lufthansa 1

Family Variants

Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Boeing 747-100

Engine Profiles

GE Aerospace CF6 Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Rolls-Royce RB211

Aircraft Systems

Sistema de Combustível da Aeronave Monitoramento de Fadiga Estrutural e Trincas Sistema de Proteção contra Corrosão

About Boeing 747-400

A variante 747 mais bem-sucedida, reconhecida por seus winglets distintivos. O -400 foi o carro-chefe de longo alcance de dezenas de companhias aéreas e o padrão para viagens intercontinentais por duas décadas.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Boeing 747-400 typically seats 416 passengers in a standard three-class configuration with first, business, and economy. In a high-density two-class layout, it can carry up to 524 passengers. The distinctive upper deck hump, extended on the -400 compared to earlier 747 variants, typically houses premium class seating and creates the aircraft's iconic silhouette recognized worldwide.

The Boeing 747-400 has a maximum range of approximately 13,450 km (7,260 nautical miles). This range allows nonstop operations on routes such as New York to Tokyo, London to Johannesburg, or Sydney to Los Angeles. The -400 variant introduced winglets, a glass cockpit requiring only two crew members instead of three, and more fuel-efficient CF6-80C2 or PW4056 or RB211-524G/H engines.

The Boeing 747-400 was the definitive variant of the 747 series that democratized long-haul international air travel from 1989 through the 2010s. It was the first 747 to feature a two-crew glass cockpit, eliminating the flight engineer position. Over 690 passenger 747-400s were built, making it the best-selling jumbo jet variant. The 747-400 also serves as the basis for the VC-25A Air Force One presidential aircraft operated by the United States Air Force.

As of 2025, the number of passenger 747-400 operators has dwindled significantly. Lufthansa retired its last 747-400s in favor of the 747-8, while British Airways, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic retired their fleets during the COVID-19 pandemic. A small number of airlines continue to operate the type in passenger service, primarily in Asia. The 747-400F freighter variant remains more widely used by cargo carriers including Atlas Air, Cargolux, and UPS Airlines.

The A380-800 is significantly larger than the 747-400, carrying 485 passengers versus 416 in three-class configuration. The A380's full-length double deck provides about 49% more floor area. However, the 747-400 was produced in far greater numbers (694 vs 251 passenger variants) and served for a longer period. Both types are being replaced by twin-engine wide-bodies like the 777X and A350, which offer lower operating costs per seat on most routes.