Boeing 747-200

Quad Jet· 13 globally registered

The Boeing 747-200 transformed global aviation when it entered service in 1971 as the stretched, longer-range successor to the original 747-100. With a maximum takeoff weight of 833,000 pounds and intercontinental range exceeding 7,000 nautical miles, the 747-200 became the backbone of long-haul international travel throughout the 1970s and 1980s, carrying up to 500 passengers in high-density configurations. Its distinctive humpbacked silhouette and four high-bypass turbofan engines made it instantly recognizable at airports worldwide, while its cavernous fuselage revolutionized air cargo when fitted with the nose-loading door on freighter variants. The type set multiple records during its production run, including the first widebody to achieve true global reach and the platform for numerous presidential and military special-mission aircraft, including Air Force One (VC-25A) and the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center. The 747-200's operating envelope includes a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.92 and service ceiling of 45,000 feet, capabilities that remained competitive for decades. Though passenger operations have largely ceased in favor of more efficient twins, the 747-200F freighter variant soldiers on in cargo service, prized for its unmatched volumetric capacity and ability to carry outsize freight. Military and government operators continue flying heavily modified airframes for specialized missions, including engine testbeds and research platforms. SkyMeter has tracked 15 flights across 4 airframes and 1 operators over routes, with the largest observed operator.