The last Boeing 747 was delivered to Atlas Air on Jan. 31, 2023. The aircraft model, which entered service in 1969, is being retired after 1,574 were manufactured, becoming one of the most famous models in the history of aviation.
In 1965, two of the most influential men in aviation, William Bill Allen, CEO of Boeing, and Juan Tripple, founder of Pan Am, entered into a "gentleman's" pact during their annual salmon fishing trip. The objective was to create the world's largest passenger aircraft. All it took was a handshake to get the ball rolling.
Half a century later, Boeing 747s continue to take to the skies not only in real life, but also in a multitude of audiovisual products. These jets have not only appeared in movies, TV series and video games, but have even played main roles in a few. According to the Internet Movie Plane Database, the plane has appeared in a total of 671 audiovisual products. Here are the most popular examples:
'Captain America: Civil War'
The airport scene in which Captain America's team confronts Iron Man's team during Captain America: Civil War will always be known as the moment when Tom Holland's Spider-Man made his first appearance. With that, the superhero returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). What not many know is that the Boeing 747 and its CGI version is the plane where the fight between Clint Burton (Hawkeye) and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) takes place. It is not the only aircraft featured in the scene. The Airbus A340-500 is also shown among other helicopters and fictitious means of transport such as the Quinjet.
'Airplane'
Airplane is another film in which the Boeing-747 plays a leading role. The scene in which a plane crashes into the airport is one of the most memorable of the film, and that aircraft was none other than a Boeing-747. In addition, the scene is followed by another one where the controls of this aircraft are shown in detail, much to the delight of plane lovers.
Also, as with Captain America: Civil War, the airport setting allows viewers to see other aircraft such as a Boeing 707-300 or a Boeing 727. Boeing is not the only brand that appears in the comedy classic. North American and Douglas, among others, also make appearances.
'Die Hard' saga
The quote-unquote Christmas film another in which the Boeing 747 makes an appearance. The first film simply shows the plane taking off, predictably taking the main characters to their destination.
The second film also features a Boeing 747. In this case, the plane belonging to Evergreen International Airlines is shown in numerous sequences. First, it is seen at the airport preparing for takeoff, then flying over the sky and, minutes later, it ends its journey by exploding mid-flight.
'Love Actually'
One of the beloved romantic movies of the early 2000s, Love Actually also features the Boeing 747. In this case, the plane comes out in the last scene when all the characters are seen at Heathrow Airport thanks to Billy's Christmas single. All the characters are meeting at different points of London Heathrow Airport, and, of course, the Boeing 747 is shown on screen.
'Snakes on a Plane'
This is a film where the plot mainly takes place on a Boeing 747, specifically on a South Pacific Airlines flight from Honolulu. The vehicle is full of poisonous snakes, which causes it to almost crash on numerous occasions and, in fact, the two pilots end up dead. But, to the travelers' good fortune, one of the passengers, Troy, played flight simulators on the PlayStation. He and Flynn manage to land the Boeing 747 safely at Los Angeles International Airport.
'Executive Decision'
This 1996 film is also set on a Boeing 747. Terrorists hijacked this commercial airliner and threaten to kill all passengers unless their leader, who has been captured, is released. However, Dr. Grant believes there is a much more sinister plot and accompanies a U.S. Special Forces team to board the plane and stop the terrorists.
The feature film is also notable for something else. During the filming of Executive Division, explains Wikipedia, the fictitious Oceanic Airlines was born. Yes, this is the same one that was later popularized by the series Lost. In fact, the producers of the movie filmed several scenes of two planes of this model, the Boeing 747, with the Oceanic Airlines logo, and that same footage was used in several movies and TV shows. Even though the plane in Lost was not a Boeing 747, but a Boeing 777, without Executive Division, Oceanic Airlines would not have existed.
'James Bond 007: Blood Stone'
The James Bond saga did not miss the opportunity to show a Boeing 747 on screen either, even if it was in video game format. In this case, it was featured in the first scene, when James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, was on his way to a mission in Bangkok during the video game James Bond 007: Blood Stone.
'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World: Dominion'
The Jurassic saga also took advantage of the popularity of the Boeing 747, this time on the big screen. It first appeared in the original Jurassic Park, but its role was less relevant, only appearing as a background photograph while the characters of Ian Malcolm, Ellie Satler and John Hammond were reunited.
Ellie was back on a Boeing 747, This time in Jurassic World: Dominion, the sequel to the saga starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. On this occasion, she and Dr. Alan Grant decided to take a Boeing 747 to reach Biosyn's headquarters, located in the Dolomites mountain range in Italy.
'Planes'
After Cars, the animation world tried its luck with Planes. Even in an animated movie, the Boeing 747 still made an appearance, though it was brief. In fact, the Boeing 747 is almost the culprit for accidentally running over and seriously injuring Dusty, the young Air Tractor AT-502 crop duster who arrives in New York to participate in the upcoming Wings Around the World rally.
'Wonder Woman 1984'
DC also took the opportunity to showcase a Boeing 747, and they did it in a big way. In one of the last scenes of the second Wonder Woman installment, Wonder Woman 1984, she uses her magic lasso to hook onto the wing of a Boeing 747 as she tries to think after a tragic event.
