However, the four-engine jumbo jet
revolutionized the industry with its exceptional
long-haul flight capability and sheer size,
nearly three times larger than the largest jet
flying at the time. The 747 ushered in a new era
of international travel with luxuries and, at
one time, features such as spiral staircases to
the upper deck and stand-alone piano bars. The
improved 747-400 featured a new glass cockpit,
tail fuel tanks, advanced engines and a new
interior.
747-400 model is called a “high-tech” jumbo to
distinguish its advanced features from its
predecessor, the “classic jumbo” of the -100 to
-300 series. 747-400s have been flown from the
U.S. to numerous long-haul
destinations including
Amsterdam, Tel Aviv,
Honolulu,
Shanghai,
Seoul, Tokyo, and
Manila during
the past 26 years. As Delta continues
to modernize its fleet and improve its Pacific
network, the airline plans to retire the
remaining 12 747s in its fleet by 2017,
replacing them with smaller, more fuel-efficient
aircraft that will enable the airline to operate
a wider variety of routes, particularly in Asian
markets.
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