EVERETT, Wash. – Boeing bid farewell to its iconic 747 jumbo jet on Tuesday, January 31st.

Since its first flight in 1969, the giant 747 has served as a cargo plane, a commercial aircraft, a transport for NASA’s space shuttles, and the Air Force One presidential aircraft.

It revolutionized travel, connecting international cities that had never before had direct routes.

But over the past 15 years, Boeing and its European rival Airbus have introduced more profitable and fuel efficient planes, with only two engines to maintain instead of the 747’s four.

The jet’s production required the construction of a massive factory in Everett, which remains the world’s largest building by volume.

Delta was the last U.S. airline to use the 747 for passenger flights, although some other international carriers continue to fly it.

The final plane is the 1,574th built by Boeing and was delivered to cargo carrier Atlas Air.