The L-649 and L-749 were the first true commercial Constellations and received their type certificate in March 1947. Essentially an iterative development of the L049 with more than 50% re-designed parts, the type certificate was an “add-on” to the L-049 certificate. Delivery of the first L-649 went to Eastern Airlines in May 1947 with Air France receiving the first L-749 a month earlier in April 1947. The L-749 was essentially a L-649 with an additional 1,130 gallons of fuel for longer range. Only fourteen L-649’s and six L-649A’s were produced for Eastern and Chicago and Southern. Most aircraft were upgraded to L-749A standards sometime during their lifetime. A total of 89 L-649s & 749's were built.
