Boeing 747 / SeaboardSeeboard World Containership 747 airplane model. Boeing conceived the 747 in the mid 1960s following its failure to secure a US Air Force contract for an ultra large strategic transport (which resulted in the Lockheed C 5 Galaxy), when it identified a market for a high capacity 'jumbo jet'. Boeing was able to draw upon design experience with the USAF transport and launched the new airliner on July 25, 1966. First flight occurred on February 9, 1969;