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The enthralling history of the iconic, world class Jumbo Jet, from former 747 pilot Scott Bateman

Nothing like Boeing's 747 had ever been seen before.

Everything about it was superlative. When it emerged from the Boeing factory in 1968, the sheer scale of the jet made clear the vision, boldness and scale of the engineering challenge that had been required to build it.

When the airliner took to the skies for the first time early the following year, it was the biggest, heaviest, most powerful and ambitious airliner ever to take to the air. It would go on to become an icon, described by Bill Gates as “the world’s first world wide web” because of the way it connected us, breaking down barriers between people and countries.

But Boeing's masterpiece didn't just democratize commercial air travel. In over half a century since that landmark first flight, the record-breaking 747 has served Presidents as Air Force One, explored the origins of the universe for NASA, fired airborne lasers, launched space rockets, hauled impossible loads, performed dramatic rescues, bombed forest fires and survived extraordinary close escapes to bring her passengers home safely.

Drawing on new interviews, privileged access to Boeing's vast archive, and his own personal experience, former 747 pilot Scott Bateman brings to life the extraordinary story of the 'Queen of the Skies' like never before.

© Scott Bateman 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026