In 1978 there was a turning point America deregulated its aviation market. This gave rise to new opportunities for the airlines to experiment with new business models. People Express is probably the only airline in the world that charges for soft drinks 50 cents half a dollar for a fizzy drink or juice. To secure its place in this system in 1988 Boeing launched the 747-400 which could fly further than its predecessors and it could carry more people. For the next decade and half this was the airliner that carriers wanted in their fleet. During the 2000s the Boeing 747 really squeezed from both above and below in a competitive sense. In 2007 Airbus launch the A380 which is a double decker giant of a
In a special episode, our Paris bureau chief witnesses the political divides that become apparent as she switches from France’s famed high-speed railways to forgotten lines. Our culture editor considers the improbably prophetic nature of the film “Titanic”. And, as the last 747 rolls off the line, our correspondent reflects on how the jet reshaped the airline industry.
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