Was the Boeing 747 a failure?

Why did it fail? No airline flies it commonly anymore?

Was the DC3 a failure? It was by your logic, after all, airlines do not commonly fly it anymore. The 747 was an incredible success, but it was designed almost 50 years ago.
The biggest issue that reduced it's usage was a rule change. There used to be a requirement that long haul aircraft have more than 2 engines on long over water flights. The rules changed, so that twin engine planes can have ETOPS ratings that allow them to fly even the longest routes. Twins are cheaper to buy, operate and maintain, so 4 engine jumbo jets are not cost effective. The same market forces have brought sales of the A380 to a virtual standstill.

It did not "FAIL". It became obsolete after MANY years of service. 4 engine aircraft like the 747 are no longer cost effective.

Fail? It was the ONLY airplane back in the day. Boeing sold TONS of it. 4 engine aircraft are obsolete now.

No, but you are a definite failure as a TROLL. Either that or you are an extraordinary ignorant person. EPIC FAIL

You flyboys crack me up!

Actually, the Boeing 747 was a GREAT success for the time it was designed and first built nearly 50 years ago. It's just that now, technology has moved on and there are more efficient aircraft that use less fuel and can carry just as many passengers. The Boeing 747 will continue in service for a long time to come as a freighter aircraft.

In 1966 Boeing essentially bet the whole company on the success of the 747. If the 747 failed, Boeing would not be around today. Boeing sold over 1,550 747s of all models over the 50 year run of program and had recouped its investment many times over.

Up to mid-1980s FAA rules limited two engine commercial aircraft to stay within 60 minutes of flying time on one engine to the nearest suitable divert airfield. That essentially prevented them from flying intercontinental routes. As the engine reliability improved, the rule was gradually relaxed, until it reached 370 minutes today. To be Extended Operations (ETOPS) certified the aircraft has to undergo additional maintenance measures and be equipped with the Ram Air Turbine for emergency electrical power. The ETOPS 370 rule essentially opened up the whole world to a new generation of two engine aircraft such as Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X and 787 which not only replaced the three and four engine A340s, MD-11s, and 747s on many of the routes, but opened up many new routes not economically viable with the larger aircraft.

The only route I can think of where a new generation of twins is not yet allowed is from Johannesburg, South Africa to Sidney, Australia because there are no suitable diversion airfields for portions of the flight. South African Airways uses an Airbus A340-600 and QANTAS uses a Boeing 747-400 on the route.

The only failure I see is Los Angles Dude! That screen name does tell a lot about him though!

No it wasn't.