Much has been written over the past year about the demise of the most iconic jet of the past century. With air travel now drastically changed forever, sadly, the Boeing 747 has reached the end of its era. The last of the jets will soon reside in the vast airline graveyard in California’s Mojave Desert.

No one can deny the importance the 747 has had on aviation. Upon its introduction into commercial service in 1970, it was, to use a term that I find incredibly annoying – a “game-changer” But this cannot be underestimated. It truly was. The 747 heralded the beginning of the boom era in aviation. So many could be carried across the world over such long distances. The skies opened up to the masses. With the 747, air travel became something achievable for far more.

Coined the Jumbo Jet, that’s exactly what it was. The biggest wide-bodied aircraft in the sky. Over the decades more than 1,500 jumbos were flying over the 52 years of its service. It was a marvel, and many of us have very special memories attached to travelling on board.

5e8ac318823046e3ae151350dd799463-qantas-boeing-747-captain-cook-lounge-1.png

The 70’s are now widely considered to have been the golden age of travel. Back then, air travel was more leisurely and luxurious. Indeed, the 747 really was the beginning of the raft of luxury experiences that more affluent travelers have enjoyed until today.

I’ll admit I am unashamedly nostalgic about the plane. Being Australian, my earliest experiences were with Qantas, one of the earliest adopters of it. I first stepped on board as an 11 year old, with my family, in 1975, bound for the USA. I was very lucky as a young boy to have been introduced to the First Class experience on my very first jumbo jet flight.

My parents, my brother and I, sat either side of the aisle and enjoyed every moment of the flight. I distinctly remember the joy emanating from my Mother and Father, the high-flying world definitely suited them. Their lifestyles were international, beginning from the late 1950’s.

These were the days before the advent of Business Class. There were only two classes, First and Tourist. Business Class did not appear until 1979, and Qantas was the first to operate it.

Ah, the memories! With the sense of occasion that the 747 brought, people dressed up to fly. Appearance was important. This is something I miss in today’s era. I still dress smartly to fly. I would never fly in shorts and flip flops, and I hate seeing that with so many in premium cabins today.

First Class on the 747’s was always in the very pointy end up front. In the 1970’s, the cabin was even roomier than it is today. The configuration was 2 x 2 on either side with a large, single aisle for service. The seating was big, wide and plush but only with medium recline. Legroom was extensive and service from the flight attendants warm and polished. Meal service was pure theatre. Cabin Crew all wore smart jackets, wheeling a large trolley piled high with delicacies from land and sea, carved meats and the trendy salads of the time. The finest French wines and Champagnes were all presented individually, prior to pouring.

Meal Service in First Class aboard the 747 - mid-1970’s

Undoubtedly the biggest luxury of all was the utter exclusivity of a unique upstairs lounge. It was reserved for First Class passengers, and it was another world. The Captain Cook Lounge was a relaxed, refined private zone that felt very special indeed. I remember climbing the spiral staircase from our seated area downstairs and winding our way up. Positioned in the hump of the plane just behind the cockpit, the lounge could comfortably seat 15 on its purple and orange sofas and also included a stand-up fully stocked bar with a permanent attendant. Cocktails flowed as did the conversations.

Captain Cook Lounge, upper deck, Qantas B747 - mid-1970’s

The “groovy” colour palate and design was so 1970’s. Images of Captain Cook adorned the walls as did replica lanterns and a ships wheel, carrying the nautical theme to full extent. Seating was designed for lounging, with some of the seats, in bright turquoise, able to swivel a full 360 degrees, so you didn’t miss a piece of the action. Food, beverages and cigarettes were abundant, with the jovial first class cabin attendants always on hand.

The other experiences I remember include some that would appear odd today. Without the distraction of seat back monitors, and personal electronic devices, and movies only shown at designated time via a projector on a pull down screen, the atmosphere was social and convivial, with lots of chats with other passengers throughout the flight.

These were the peak years of smoking on planes as well. Every seat has built-in ashtrays, cigarettes lit at every opportunity, enjoyed with drinks, pre-meal, even during the meal. Unthinkable today.

A very vivid memory was the attention my Brother and I received from the crew. In bright uniforms and that unique friendly Australian manner, our family received the best of attention. Not many young kids in First Class in those days, I imagine.

The bold, bright uniforms of the Qantas flight crew in the 1970’s

The biggest thrill of all was something I will never forget. We were taken up to the cockpit and entered, introduced to the pilots and allowed to watch them fly the plane. Can you imagine! These were certainly easier, more relaxed times.

Since those heady early days of the 747, over the decades the planes adapted to the times, with carriers considering their bottom line through increasing passenger numbers, cramming so many more aboard in much tighter configurations. Flights on the old Qantas 747’s in recent years have been nothing like they were during their luxurious introduction. Cramped spaces were common, with unusual and impractical use of space, with many of the jets having quite different internal layouts. It all became a bit of a mess, without any sense of space or occasion. A big, old, noisy, glorified bus.

I do feel sad that this day has come. There’s little doubt that the time is right. But the 747 was the real deal-breaker for the new age of travel. Things would have progressed very differently today without it.

Large planes such as the 747 and the Airbus A380 are no longer financially viable on the long distance more popular routes. Newer, smaller, more fuel-efficient jets can fly both short haul and the longer routes, making these the smarter choice for the world’s carriers in this time where travel recovery may take years.

My love affair with flying and with International travel really began with that first 747 flight in 1975. She was affectionately, and quite accurately known as The Queen Of The Skies. There may be sleeker, faster, more efficient planes zipping across the sky, but she stood alone. There will never be quite another like her.