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Boeing 747-400

Boeing 747-400


The Boeing 747-400 is a wide body, four-engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company. Its distinctive upper deck shape has earned it the nickname “Jumbo Jet”. BA is the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 747. The 747-400 is a proven performer with high reliability and incorporates major aerodynamic improvements over earlier 747 models, including the addition of winglets to reduce drag, new avionics, and a new flight deck.

The 747 fits into today's infrastructure, serving more than 210 airports around the world and is also the world's fastest commercial jetliner. The 747-400's most noticeable aerodynamic improvement over previous 747s is the 6-foot (1.8-m) longer wing with a 6-foot-high winglet angled upward and slightly outward. This change reduces fuel burn and extends the aircraft's range.

The winglet provides the effect of having an even greater wingspan without outgrowing the standard airport slot. The wingtip extension and winglet offer a fuel mileage improvement of about 3 percent, which during the life span of an airplane amounts to considerable savings.

Customer benefits include:

  • Choice of First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller
  • Personal audio and video systems for all seats 
  • Spacious cabins

Technical information

Number in fleet57
Passenger capacityup to 345 (4 class)
Length70.9m (231 feet 10 inches)
Wingspan64.4m (211 feet 5 inches)
Height19.4m (68 feet 8 inches)
Engines4× Rolls Royce  RB211-524H
Maximum speed988km/h (614mph, Mach 0.92)
Range13,450km (8,357 miles)

Photo gallery

Did you know?

  • The world’s 747 fleet has flown 3.5 billion people - the equivalent of half of the world's population.
  • British Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 747-400.
  • A 747-400 typically takes off at 290km/h (180mph), cruises at 910km/h (565mph) and lands at 260km/h (160mph).