The 247 was Boeing's first all-metal airliner. Boeing built the first 60 exclusively for its in-house airline, United Airlines. Competing TWA wanted to order the 247 as well, but due to Boeing keeping the aircraft for itself, ended up asking Douglas to design its own airliner, and the DC-3, as a result, enjoyed far more success.

Such predatory behavior by Boeing, which included United Aircraft Corporation (United Technologies, of which engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is a part) as well as United Airlines, forced the US government to respond with the Air Mail Act of 1934, forbidding aircraft manufacturers from owning airlines. United Technologies and United Airlines were divested from Boeing soon thereafter, and Boeing founder William Boeing left the company as a result, though Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and United have maintained a close working relationship through today.

The forward-slanted windshield is a key feature of early 247s, to prevent instrument panel lighting glares. A side effect was glares from ground lights, and eventually the windshield was changed to the typical rear-slanted design, and the dashboard redesigned with a top flap to eliminate glare.

This aircraft belongs to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, and is parked at its restoration center at Paine Field in Everett. It is the last Boeing 247 in flying condition.