Came across this photo that shows Boeing’s newest jumbo jet, the B-747-8, with its emergency slides deployed. What caught my eye is that the upper deck slides now have a built-in structural support in the form of an arch. Considering how far above the ground the upper deck is, I guess the arch provides support against gusting winds. Talk about a fun-house slide!
On a related note, here’s a short video showing the deployment of the upper deck slide on an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400, the previous generation of the plane. The slide’s support structure is less elaborate, but it is still interesting to see how it deploys. Let’s hope I never have to see one of these deploy in person.
Related link: Airbus A380 upper deck slide deployment.
christao408 
I seated on the top level many times, just hope I will never need to use the slide. Again, you educate us. Thanks
@stevew918 – Ooh Steve, you must belong to the 100k elite group! Can you treat me to the upper deck too?
Very interesting. I have never seen a slide deployed and I hope you and I and actually all never have to see or use them!
My goodness, that brings the 747 down to size! I’m glad you haven’t had to use the slides — hope they never are deployed for you !
I have never seen this before…
I learn something new every day! Thanks for the photo and video. I hope I don’t ever have to use one…
wow! I hope you and anyone else for that matter, never have to use those slides.
that’s cool. never thought i’ll get to see it happened. well, not that i want it to happen in real life 🙂
@rudyhou – Isn’t it cool? Much better to see it in a demo rather than real life.
love it!