Boeing 747 Cathay Pacific747 200 Cathy Pacific airplane model. The groundbreaking 747 transformed air travel by introducing unprecedented size and efficiency. Its large capacity dramatically lowered operating costs per seat, making long distance international flights more affordable. Born in the 1960s after Boeing missed out on a US Air Force contract for a massive transport plane, the 747 targeted the emerging market for a high capacity "jumbo jet." Leveraging military