Altogether, it’s a story about possibility. When the Boeing 747, which is made from a staggering six million individual parts, made its debut in 1969, a major milestone in aviation was achieved. The aircraft, the first one capable of transporting so many passengers around the globe, changed the way we live and travel for good. The evolution of air travel is mind bending, and in looking back we can see just how far we’ve come. Here, we’ll explore the evolution of the aircraft—specifically the 747—and follow its journey from wings to wallet.
To honor this rich history, longtime partners Delta Air Lines and American Express have collaborated to create a limited-edition Delta SkyMiles® American Express Reserve Card design made with 25% metal from an iconic Boeing 747, giving savvy travelers the chance to quite literally have a piece of history in their pocket. This limited-edition card design is only available for new Reserve Card Members until August 3, while supplies last.
Legendary Construction
To understand how revolutionary the 747 was (and still is), we have to go back to the grand visions of those early aviation pioneers. The Wright brother’s legendary Wright Flyer, was made of muslin, twine, and spruce and ash wood. While the Flyer’s first flight in 1903 only lasted 12 seconds and traveled a distance of 120 feet, the brothers’ advancements in aeronautical engineering later allowed jets to zip across oceans.
As new materials were introduced—like various metals and lightweight engines—advancements in the field of aviation became possible. Now, planes could take flight and fly farther, higher, and faster. WWII revved up demand for durable and reliable aircrafts and led to the introduction of the metal planes with light and powerful engines that ushered us into the modern era. The plane that kicked off modern air travel as we know it, the Boeing 747, was made out of the most high-end material: nearly 150,000 pounds of super-strong aerospace-grade aluminum. The six million individual parts that make up the aircraft include some 40,000 rivets on each wing and some 170 miles of wiring. The-first-of-its-kind jumbo jet took to the skies in January 1970 and made a successful flight from New York City to London.
The Queen of the Skies
The new 747 was more than 60 feet tall and 225 feet long—longer than the entirety of the Wright brothers’ first flight. Not only was it a major feat of engineering, but it revolutionized air travel and democratized the skies. The 747’s ability to carry hundreds of passengers comfortably, and the masses could suddenly afford to travel around the world via non-stop international flights. The flights themselves were luxurious, glamorous, and a true picture of top-notch hospitality. Since its maiden voyage, the Boeing 747—the so-called “Queen of the Skies”—has carried families, business travelers, presidents, and even Space Shuttles. In remembering the classic design and decades-long history of the 747, it's worth celebrating the next journey of this storied aircraft: being crafted into a sleek Delta SkyMiles American Express Reserve Card design.
Deconstructing History
About 25 years ago, Delta and American Express introduced their first travel rewards credit card, and they’ve been upping the ante ever since. Now, for a limited time, new Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business Card Members can carry a piece of cherished aviation history in their pocket as they travel the world.
To create this one-of-a-kind card, Delta and American Express used Delta Ship #6307, a retired 747 that flew the equivalent of 13 straight years during its 27 years of service. Ship #6307 carried 4 million passengers around the world, including military transport for U.S. service men and women, an evacuation flight from Florida during Hurricane Irma, and even transportation for Delta volunteers bringing orphaned children to their new families. To create the limited edition card, Ship #6307 was carefully disassembled at a facility in Tucson, Arizona, and the material from the fuselage was rolled and cut into thin sheets. Robots then took that thin slice of metallic history and placed it in the new card, marking the plane’s final step in a storied journey from wings to wallet.
The Future
Today, passenger 747s are being replaced with newer, more efficient aircraft. Modern aircrafts are still predominantly made out of light and strong metals, like aluminum alloys. And Delta, which is always pushing to innovate, has replaced the 747 with the top-of-the-line Airbus A350.
While looking to the future, Delta and American Express are also taking the time to pay homage to history. With the limited-edition Boeing 747 card design, new American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members who apply and are approved before August 3 can take home a piece of history and score 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on the Card in the first three months (terms apply).
Get your piece of the sky today
This story was produced by WIRED Brand Lab for American Express x Delta.
