The Boeing 747 is truly an awesome plane, and I’m sure most of us can agree. Not only is it visually stunning, but it’s also highly versatile. Aside from carrying passengers and cargo, it has transported Space Shuttles, been used as a Doomsday plane, and even set a record by carrying 1,088 passengers. Yes, 1,088 passengers on a Boeing 747! This is a record that not even the larger Airbus A380 has surpassed. So, here’s the story behind it.
In 1991, an El Al 747 made history during Operation Solomon when it carried 1,088 people in a single flight. This is a record breaking feat that it even made it to the Guinness World Records as the most number of passengers carried on a plane, that still stands today. The story behind this record involves a daring airlift mission that rescued thousands of Ethiopian Jews in a time of crisis.
It was the year when Ethiopia was on the brink of political collapse, the year 1991. The government led by Mengistu Haile Mariam was close to being overthrown by Eritrean and Tigrean rebels. This instability posed a grave threat to the country’s Jewish population. World Jewish organizations, including the American Association for Ethiopian Jews and the state of Israel, were deeply concerned about their safety. The existing regime had previously made mass emigration difficult, but the imminent change in power presented a crucial opportunity for those wanting to move to Israel.
What followed was a covert operation known as Operation Solomon. Between May 24 and May 25, 1991, over a period of 36 hours, 14,325 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel. The operation involved non-stop flights of 35 Israeli aircraft between Addis Ababa and Tel Aviv. These included Israeli Air Force C-130s and notably, El Al 747s. Seats were removed from the jets to maximize capacity, transforming the Boeing 747 into a vessel of hope for thousands.
The Record-Breaking Flight of the El Al Boeing 747
Among the 40 flights conducted during Operation Solomon, one El Al 747 set a world record by carrying 1,088 people in a single trip. This number is often cited and includes two babies born during the flight. Various reports mention slightly different totals, ranging from 1,078 to 1,122 passengers, but any figure within this range surpasses previous records. The Boeing 747, typically configured to carry between 350 and 400 passengers, was pushed to its limits. The successful transport of such a large number of people showcased the Boeing 747’s capabilities and how highly adaptable the aircraft is.
I mean, if it can carry one whole Space Shuttle in its back, what more 1,088 people. Amazing aircraft, ain’t t?
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
