America is saying goodbye to the Boeing 747 jumbo jet — here's a look at its glorious history (BA, DAL)

• Delta operated its final commercial flight using a Boeing 747 this week.
• This marked the last time a US airline would fly paying passengers using the iconic jumbo jet.
• The 747 will continue to make passenger flights with international airlines.
• Boeing has sold more than 1,500 747s, but has struggled to find new customers for the plane. 

America has said its final goodbye to the Queen of the Skies. This week, Delta Air Lines operated its final commercial flight using a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet. The retirement of Delta's 747 fleet marks the end of the jumbo's nearly five decades of service with US airlines. United retired its final 747 in November. 

Although the 747 will still grace the skies above the US with foreign carriers like Lufthansa and Korean Air or with cargo carriers like UPS and Atlas, the idea that US passenger airlines will no longer operate what is arguably America's most iconic and successful airplane is sad.

Alas, economics trump nostalgia. The reality is that the four-engined jumbo is big, expensive, and thirsty. Especially when compared to twin jets like the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A350. The 777-300ER replaced the 747 at United while the A350-900 took over for jumbo at Delta.

Consumer tastes have also changed. During the 747's heyday, long-haul international flights operated almost exclusively between major hubs and frequently made several intermediate stops. These days, non-stop point-to-point flights are becoming increasingly popular with no stops and no need to fly to a major hub. Hence the popularity of smaller widebody jets like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

But before we let the grand lady of the sky fade into history, let's take a look back at its extraordinary life as the most iconic airplane in the world.

SEE ALSO: Delta CEO slams Boeing's claims that Bombardier hurt its business

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The Boeing 747 first flew in February 1969.

The big jet and the Everett, Washington, factory in which it was built were designed and constructed in just 16 months by a team of 50,000 Boeing employees.

The people involved became known as the "Incredibles."