Boeing 747-300

Entering service in 1983 with Swissair, the Boeing 747-300 was the third major generation of the aircraft.

The 747-300 is defined by one massive visual change: the Stretched Upper Deck (SUD). While previous models (-100, -200, SP) had a "short hump" that ended halfway over the wings, the 747-300's upper deck was extended rearward by over 23 feet (7 meters).

This modification gave the 747 the iconic, sleek, "long hump" profile that the majority of people associate with the Jumbo Jet today. More information below.

Historical Context: A Stopgap Solution

The 747-300 was created to address a specific need: airlines wanted more passenger capacity than the 747-200 could offer, but Boeing wasn't yet ready to release the fully modernized 747-400 (which was still in development).

The 747-300 was effectively an "interim" or stopgap model. Boeing took the proven mechanics of the late-model 747-200 and simply grafted a larger upstairs section onto it.

Distinctive Design Features

The 747-300 is a fascinating hybrid. It looks modern on the outside, but it is "old school" on the inside.

1. The Stretched Hump (Exterior)

Visually, the 747-300 is instantly distinguishable from the -100 and standard -200 because of the long upper deck. The hump extends almost all the way to the trailing edge of the wings.

2. The New Upstairs (Interior)

The stretching of the deck revolutionized the interior space upstairs.

Capacity: The extra room allowed airlines to install significant economy seating upstairs (adding about 40–50 seats compared to a -200), rather than just using it as a premium lounge.

The Staircase: In the -100 and -200, the upper deck was accessed via a tight spiral staircase that was iconic but impractical. Because the -300's upper deck was longer, there was room to replace the spiral stairs with a more traditional, straight staircase, making access much easier for passengers and crew.

3. The "Classic" Cockpit (The Crucial Distinction)

This is the most important aspect of the 747-300's identity. Despite looking like a modern 747-400 on the outside, the cockpit remained almost identical to the analog, dial-heavy cockpit of the 747-200.

Crucially, this meant the 747-300 still required a three-person flight crew, including a Flight Engineer.

Performance and Variants

Mechanically, the -300 offered only minor improvements over late-model -200s.

Engines: It used the same highly developed GE, Rolls-Royce, or Pratt & Whitney engines available on the late -200s.

Range: Surprisingly, the range of the -300 was roughly the same as, or sometimes slightly less than, the -200. The extra weight of the stretched fuselage offset aerodynamic improvements. The -300 was about capacity, not extra range.

Variants included:

747-300 (Passenger): The standard all-passenger version.

747-300M (Combi): Carrying passengers in the front and cargo in the rear of the main deck.

Note: There was no factory-built freighter (-300F) version, as airlines preferred the -200F for pure cargo roles.

Commercial Success: The Short-Lived Jumbo

The 747-300 was not a major commercial success. Only 81 aircraft were built over a short production run between 1983 and 1990.

Its success was limited because airlines knew what was coming next. Boeing was already developing the 747-400, which would feature the same long hump but would add winglets, more efficient engines, and, most importantly, a two-person "glass cockpit" that eliminated the need for a Flight Engineer, saving airlines massive amounts of money in salaries.

Most airlines chose to wait for the superior -400 rather than buy the "half-step" -300.