Capacity of Simultaneous Travelers Accommodated by an Aircraft for Passengers
In a historic event that still stands as a record in commercial aviation history, Operation Solomon, conducted in 1991, saw an extraordinary passenger load on board an El Al Boeing 747 aircraft. This covert airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel saw the highest number of passengers ever recorded on a commercial flight, surpassing the capacities of even the largest modern airliners.
The exact number of passengers carried on the Boeing 747 during Operation Solomon varies, with sources reporting figures ranging from 1,078 to 1,122 passengers. This remarkable feat was achieved on May 24, 1991, a day that will forever be etched in aviation history.
The Israeli Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing 707 aircraft, as well as Boeing 757, 767, and 747 passenger aircraft from El Al, were all part of this unprecedented operation. The Boeing 707 of the Israeli Air Force transported 400 passengers during Operation Solomon, with passengers sitting on the ground due to the lack of seats in military transport planes.
Interestingly, the Boeing 767-200 and the Boeing 757-200 aircraft were not involved in any extraordinary measures, such as converting the cabin layout or using multiple decks, to accommodate the large number of passengers. These civilian passenger aircraft, unlike the military transport Boeing 707, were used as they were, demonstrating their versatility and capacity.
The Boeing 747-200C used in the operation was originally a cargo plane but was converted into a passenger plane with at least 760 seats just before Operation Solomon. The Boeing 767-200 and the Boeing 757-200 aircraft, however, were not converted specifically for this operation.
Two women gave birth during the flight, adding to the emotional significance of this momentous event. It is worth noting that no previous records for the maximum number of passengers carried by a commercial airliner were broken by the Boeing 767-200 or the Boeing 757-200 aircraft during Operation Solomon.
Since Operation Solomon, the record for the maximum number of passengers carried by a commercial airliner has not been broken. According to Guinness World Records, the maximum number of passengers ever carried by a commercial airliner is 1,088 or thereabouts, by an El Al Boeing 747 during Operation Solomon. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the capacity and adaptability of commercial aircraft in times of need.
The Boeing 747, used in the historic Operation Solomon, carried a record-breaking number of passengers in the commercial aviation industry, with reports suggesting anywhere between 1,078 to 1,122 passengers. In the financial sphere, this operation showcased the immense value and utility of aerospace-manufactured aircraft like the Boeing 747, 767, and 757, not only in transportation but also in ensuring the safe relocation of people during extraordinary events.
