The Boeing 747-400 Combi helps airlines around the world meet their long-range passenger and cargo requirements - with a single airplane. The versatile 747 Combi, first introduced in 1975, blends the best of both worlds. It's the only commercial airplane flexible enough to simultaneously perform both passenger and freighter missions.

The Combi has a large side-cargo door behind the left wing, plus equipment that removes passenger seats and installs cargo tracks, giving airlines the option of carrying cargo in containers on the main deck behind passengers. This flexibility allows airlines to adapt the interior configuration to meet variations in seasonal markets and charter demands.

Another reason for the combi's popularity is that it can be scheduled through an airport with the same turnaround time as any other passenger 747. Cargo operations do not interfere with passenger service, because main-deck cargo loading occurs in an area of the airplane where normally there is no activity. This simultaneous passenger-and-cargo-loading/unloading operation is possible because of the stability allowed by the fore and aft arrangement of the wing and body landing gear.

Easy Cargo Loading

The large side-cargo door on the main deck allows cargo loading in the aft section at the same time passengers are boarded in the forward section. A locked partition separates the passenger compartment from the cargo area, accessible only by the crew. Roller trays on the 747's aft floor facilitate loading of 8-foot-wide (2.4 m) containers, or pallets, up to 20 feet long (6.1 m). The airplane's main deck can accommodate any container or pallet used in the aviation industry today in lengths of up to 20 feet (6.1 m).

The combi can handle large volume shipments such as automobiles, small boats, heavy machinery, drilling equipment and even small airplanes or helicopters. Environmental control in the cargo area allows transportation of live animals, perishable foods and cut flowers/vegetables, while maintaining separate environmental control of the passenger cabin.

The 747-400 Combi incorporates all the major improvements introduced on the 747-400 - including additional fire protection, a two-crew digital flight deck, advanced engines, wingtip extension with winglet and an enhanced interior.

A Rich Heritage

The first combi went into service with Sabena Belgian World Airlines in early 1974. This was a standard 747-100 passenger airplane, modified by installation of a side cargo door. Boeing delivered the first true 747-200 Combi (with the side-cargo door already installed) to Air Canada in February 1975.

Swissair was the first customer for the 747-300 Combi, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was first for the 747-400 Combi. The stretched upper deck of the 747-300 and 747-400 Combis can accommodate 44 more passengers than the standard 747-200 Combi.

The 747-400 Combi is currently the only combi in production; 60 in-service 747-400 Combis are operated by 13 customers. Including 747-200 and -300 Combis, more than 30 customers operate nearly 150 747 Combis.