76 aircraft were built: seventy of these were for United Airlines, four for Lufthansa, and two for the Republic of China. Many of United's aircraft were later purchased by Western Airlines. The new 247's were capable of crossing the United States from east to west eight hours faster than their predecessors, such as the Ford Trimotor and Curtiss Condor.

The 247 carried ten passengers, five on each side of the aisle, as well as a flight attendant. The wing's main spar went right through the cabin, so some passengers had to step over a large hump in the middle of the aisle to reach their seats.

During World War II, United's 247's were converted into C-73 transport aircraft: these remained in the United States Air Force's inventory until the early 1960's.

There are currently four 247's left in the world: one of them, based at Paine Field in Snohomish County, Washington, has been restored to flyable condition. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC also has a 247 on display, as does Canada's National Museum of Science and Technology in Rockcliffe, and the Science Museum in Wroughton, England.