Boeing 747-300

The Boeing 747-300 featured the first major modification to the 747 design with a stretched upper deck (SUD) that extended the iconic hump 23 feet forward. This increased upper deck capacity from 32 to 69 passengers, adding about 20% more seating overall. Introduced in 1983, the 747-300 also featured improved engines and minor aerodynamic refinements. While externally similar to the -200, the extended upper deck became the defining visual feature of later 747s. Only 81 passenger variants were produced as airlines waited for the more advanced 747-400, but the SUD design became standard on all subsequent 747s.