Jumbo

Brought to you by Penguin.

In the 1960s, beset by crippling financial challenges and ceding the supersonic race to the European Concorde, US aviation was flailing. Until, in a modest corner of Boeing’s factory, engineer Joe Sutter dared to think big. The aircraft he developed – the 747 “Jumbo” Jet – was about to have an immeasurable impact on air travel as we know it.

Over its fifty-four-year history the 747 has weathered storms and hijackings, seen disaster and saved lives. Its use democratised air travel for the masses, carrying everything and everyone from space shuttles to presidents, to enough passengers across its lifetime to equal half the world’s population.

Scott Bateman, pilot and author has flown the 747 for over twelve years. Here he weaves reportage, history and personal accounts into an utterly unforgettable story.

© Scott Bateman 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026