
- by Dianna Lopez
TWA 747: Your Castle In The Air
- by Dianna Lopez
A question? Visit our contact page
This site uses cookies for better user experience and analytics.
TWA’s 747 service made air travel more desirable and more available for the average traveler of the 1970s and beyond. The larger capacity and lower cost of flying made this wide body aircraft an obvious choice for TWA. Its spacious and roomy interiors and luxurious experiences made it the choice for travelers. Take a closer look at TWA’s 747 jumbo jet and get TWA 747 PlaneTags of your own.
The Boeing 747 was developed in the late 1960s, in response to airlines’ requests for an airplane that could carry more passengers at lower costs in a more efficient manner than existing aircraft available at the time. TWA, like other airlines, asked for public input on comfort and service features and customized its aircraft accordingly. TWA received its first 747-100s in December 1969 and introduced scheduled service soon after in February 1970. An additional 15 joined the fleet over the next two years, with eight more added in the 1980s, and the final two added in 1996, including N129TW.
TWA touted its new jumbo jet in commercials and with exciting new brochures, extolling its “excitingly different” amenities and “totally new way of flying” to a new generation of travelers. The spacious interiors offered a new living room look, with bright colors to its thick carpeting and rich upholstery, with roomy areas and space to move around. The 747-100 boasted an iconic winding stairway, which led to the First Class penthouse lounge of our dreams.
Even the seats were something to wonder at - roomy, wider and deeper with a built in lumbar support that contoured to one’s spine. Food service? The larger, more extensive kitchen facilities allowed for grander meals and bar service at any time during the flight.
In addition to these luxurious touches, TWA offered new services such as automated baggage systems, business class and international amenities, and containerized air freight service.
Video courtesy of Mike Moran
View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝓜𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓷 (@mikeandsomeikes) on
Although N129TW began and served through most of its career with other airlines, it was as a TWA 747 that this aircraft retired. It was the last of the complete TWA passenger 747s remaining, still painted in its experimental TWA livery. It remained in its resting place in Pinal Airpark, Marana, AZ for years after, a treasure wasting away under the hot sun. Although it was surrounded by other retired planes in various colors and liveries, N129TW always stood out from the rest to MotoArt owner Dave Hall.
“Seeing this plane evokes a lot of warm memories for me, as it does for so many others,” says Hall. “TWA was not only one of the biggest airlines when we were growing up, but it was an iconic brand of its own. It symbolized travel and luxury and the joy of flying. We’re stoked that this plane has joined the PlaneTags fleet.”
“We get so many messages and comments from people all over the world who have worked for TWA or took their first airplane ride in a TWA. This is going to be a special memento for many and we’re glad to be a part of it.”
This 747 has been preserved as PlaneTags and can join your collection of 747 memorabilia or given to your favorite aviation enthusiast or pilot. They are available in blue and are numbered to 20,000. Own a piece of aviation history and grab your TWA PlaneTag today.
Check out these related articles about some of the 747s that MotoArt has transformed into lasting memories for you to enjoy.
SR-71 Blackbird News: 2 Days Until New SR-71 PlaneTags Release
SR-71 PlaneTags: How MotoArt Preserved a Piece of Blackbird History
The SR-71 Blackbird is one of the most iconic aircraft ever built, known for its unparalleled speed, high-altitude capabilities, and groundbreaking design. Developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works during the Cold War, the SR-71 was designed to be the fastest and highest-flying reconnaissance aircraft in history. With speeds reaching Mach 3.35 (2,200 mph) and cruising altitudes exceeding 85,000 feet, it set records that have yet to be broken.
Now, you can own a piece of this aviation legend. MotoArt has meticulously crafted exclusive SR-71 PlaneTags from the actual parts of the aircraft, allowing aviation enthusiasts and collectors to hold a piece of history in their hands. These PlaneTags offer a unique opportunity to connect with the SR-71 in a way that was never before possible.
The SR-71 Blackbird: A Legacy of Speed and Innovation
For aviation enthusiasts and collectors, the SR-71’s legacy continues to captivate. Now, you have the opportunity to own a piece of this legendary aircraft through SR-71 PlaneTags, crafted from the very materials that made this remarkable plane a star of the skies. But before we dive into the story of these unique collectibles, let’s take a look back at the SR-71’s incredible journey and its lasting impact on the world of aviation. Sign up for exclusive access today.
Share:
Bell Huey UH-1F: Missile Site Support At Its Best
Qantas 747-400: Celebrating 100 Years of Pioneering Aviation