Which Boeing 747 variant first entered passenger service with Northwest Airlines?
Answer
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 first entered passenger service with Northwest Airlines.
Northwest introduced the 747-400 in 1989. This version added a two-person glass cockpit, extended winglets and improved engines, allowing Boeing to remove the flight engineer’s position and reduce fuel consumption compared with earlier 747s.
The 747-400 became one of the most widely operated 747 variants. Its range and capacity made it a major long-haul aircraft during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The 747-400 is distinct from the later 747-8, which used longer fuselage sections and newer engines. Lufthansa introduced the 747-8 Intercontinental in passenger service, but not the 747-400.