Boeing 747 Retires

Everett, WA-

After more than half a century, Boeing is set to roll out its last 747 out of a Washington state factory.

Silence falls as employees line the sidewalk to watch the 747 freighter roll out of the Everett production factory.

"To roll out for the last time, it is surreal," said David Bruton, an assembler installer and mechanic at Boeing.

It's the last time this will ever happen.

"It's that bittersweet feeling that it's hard to fathom that it's the last time that I might get to step on it."

It can hold 490 passengers, fly the length of a marathon in 2 and a half minutes and its tail is as tall as a six-story building. There's a reason they call it the queen of the sky.

"It's the end of the queen of the skies. it's pretty interesting to be a part of all of this, it's an emotional time."

"It was interesting for me then and i had an interest in planes from that," Bruton continues.

Bruton has now worked at Boeing for almost 34 years, following in his grandfather and mom and dad's footsteps.

"I feel like it's a legacy to work on this plane for me but it's been sad to see this last one roll out."

The impact of the world's first jumbo jet on aviation and consumer flying being felt by all who witnessed the end of an era. 50,000 employees worked on the first 747 in the late 1960's they were dubbed 'the incredibles.'

"I think it's that the 747 changed aviation. it changed the way the world connected."

The last of its kind ever to be produced.

"We're going to put her on the fuel dock, get her fueled up, start our flight test and prepare for a great delivery."

The 747-8 freighter is the last of four that were ordered by atlas air.

"They're sending the queen off fittingly."

As boeing looks towards the future many like burton reflected on how the 747 shaped not only his life. but those around the world.

"There's a part of us rolling out with this thing."