Worth remembering the impact the 744 had when first introduced as well - bringing much of the world into non-stop range and IIRC, any city pair with just a single stop.

I remember my first 747 trip on an Air Europe 741 from LGW to BKK in '88 where we had to stop in Bahrain to refuel - seems rather quaint now. Then just 4 years later doing LHR-HKG non-stop on a brand new CX 744.

Can't remember, but did the 742 have much better range than the 741, ie could the BA's RR powered ones do LHR-BKK or HKG non-stop or is this strictly 744 territory?