1971 - 1984

The hugely significant 747 revolutionised airline transport. Far bigger than anything before it, the 747 slashed operating costs per seat and thus cut the cost of long haul international airline travel. The basic 747-100 entered service with Pan American in January 1970. Progressive development of the 747 led to the 747-200B with higher weights, more powerful engines and longer range. The -200B first flew in October 1970 entering service with KLM. Swissair initially ordered only two B747-200B, beeing very careful, since thought operations with such a big plane could not be run profitably from switzerland. On April 1st the first Swissair 747 flight took off for a Zurich-Geneva-New York flight. Later Swissair ordered additional Boeing 747-257 with a stretched upper deck, but these orders were later cancelled and turned into orders for the newer Boeing 747-300.

HB-IGA	Boeing 747-257B # 20116 / 112	29.01.1971 01.01.1984	Genève Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IGA. Shortly leased to Air National in basic Swissair colors as LX-SAL. Later sold to TWA as N303TW, Later Air Atlanta Icelandic as TF-ABK (leased to Saudia). Thereafter Aerolineas Argentinas LV-YSB and stored in Marana since 1999.
HB-IGB	Boeing 747-257B # 20117 / 126	25.03.1971 16.01.1984	Zürich Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IGB.Later with National Airlines, OH-KSA, Egypt Air SU-GAK, TWA N304TW, Air Atlanta Icelandic TF-ABL (leased to Saudia). Stored and Scrapped in 1994/1995

• Airliners.net Overview
• Overview of Swissair's B747's
• Complete History of the Boeing 747

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