Why In The World Does The Boeing 747 Have A Hump?

If you’ve ever gazed at the Boeing 747 from a terminal window or walked through its upper deck, you’ve likely wondered: Why does it have that iconic hump? The design is so unique that it has become synonymous with the aircraft itself, along with its enormous size — earning it nicknames like “The Queen of the Skies” or simply “the Jumbo Jet.” Unlike most other commercial airliners that follow a long, cylindrical tube shape, the 747’s raised upper deck seems both outlandish and ingenious.