Boeing 747-400 Ship 6301

Ever wondered what it’s like to stand before aviation royalty? Here at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, you’re face-to-face with Boeing 747-400 Ship 6301. This isn’t just any 747. This is *the* 747-400, the very first one ever built. Imagine being present at its birth, back on January 26, 1988, when it rolled out of the Boeing Everett Factory. Just a few months later, on April 29, 1988, Ship 6301 took its maiden flight, piloted by James Loesch and Kenneth Higgins. This marked a pivotal moment in aviation history. The 747-400 was a game-changer, a modernization of the iconic 747 jumbo jet. Its two-crew glass cockpit eliminated the need for a flight engineer. The stretched upper deck, first seen on the 747-300, became a standard feature. Boeing 747-400 Ship 6301 initially wore the test registration N401PW, as it was used to test Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines. Eventually, this aircraft became N661US, serving Northwest Airlines faithfully from December 8, 1989. It joined the Delta Air Lines family in 2008 after the merger with Northwest, becoming known as Delta Ship 6301. This aircraft has seen the world, accumulating over 61 million miles in its lifetime. That’s enough to travel to the moon and back over 250 times. In 2002, while flying as Northwest Airlines Flight 85, it experienced a lower rudder hardover incident over the Bering Sea. The skilled pilots managed to land safely in Anchorage, and the incident led to important safety improvements for all 747-400s. Boeing 747-400 Ship 6301 continued its service, gracing the skies until its final flight on September 9, 2015, from Honolulu to Atlanta. Now, its journey continues here at the Delta Flight Museum. As you explore the “747 Experience” exhibit, imagine this giant soaring through the sky. You can walk through its first-class and economy cabins, even venture onto a walkway above the wing. Ship 6301 stands as a testament to innovation, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the Queen of the Skies.