A Boeing 747-8 landing with 85% of its payload and 30% of its fuel, weighs 92% (8F) or 98% (8i) of its Maximum Landing Weight (MLW). [62][63] It entered service in October 2011. It was to undergo flight testing prior to delivery. This 747-800 is the newest aircraft type in the long-haul fleet for Lufthansa. [11], The extra fuel capacity in the redesigned wing compared to the 747-400 eliminates the need to significantly change the horizontal tail unit to accommodate auxiliary tanks, further saving costs. In February 2009, only one airline customer (Lufthansa) had ordered the 747-8I passenger model, and Boeing announced it was reassessing the 747-8 project. [162], In March 2020, modifications started at Boeing's San Antonio, Texas facility, including lower lobe doors and internal airstairs, to be delivered by December 2024. There were 443 Boeing 747 aircraft in airline service as of November 2020, … The U.S. Air Force announced that it will continue the Boeing tradition with the 747-8, which will replace the two 747-200s that serve as the presidential Air Force One fleet. cruising speed. [126] Despite initial plans for a shorter stretch than the freighter model, the two variants were designed with the same length, increasing passenger capacity. [46], On April 19, 2010, the second flight-test aircraft was moved from Moses Lake to Palmdale to conduct tests on the aircraft's engines in preparation for obtaining a type certification for the aircraft. [54] On September 30, 2010, Boeing announced a further postponement, with the delivery of the first freighter to Cargolux planned for mid-2011. Boeing firmed the 747-8 Freighter's configuration in October 2006. Site Terms | Privacy and Cookie Statement | Ad Choices The First Class and Business Class sections of the 747-8 enable airlines to offer passengers the most private and premium accommodations in the sky. Boeing and the Air Force will retrofit these aircraft with telecommunications and advanced security equipment for the required security level needed by presidential aircraft. [74] Boeing has since updated the incremental improvements planned for the 747-8, of which include; increasing the maximum takeoff weight to 472 t (1,041,000 lb), strengthening the main landing gear, and increasing the aircraft's full-payload range to 8,200 nmi (15,200 km). Boeing had considered larger-capacity versions of the 747 several times during the 1990s and 2000s (Boeing New Large Airplane). "Slow down", Aviation Week and Space Technology, February 3/10, 2014, pp. Parties of 3 or more can book adjacent seats together. Boeing also proposed smaller, more modest "SkyBunks". [64], On October 25, 2011, a 747-8 flew to Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados to begin flight testing in the tropical climate of the Caribbean to determine its effects on the aircraft. When the 747-8 takes flight as the next Air Force One, Boeing airplanes will mark more than half a century of presidential service … Whenever. Like in a similar event during pre-flight taxi tests, the low-pressure turbine shaft separated and moved the low-pressure turbine backward braking on surrounding hardware (by design to avoid turbine overspeed). The world's largest and most efficient twin-engine jet. [6][7] Although the 747-400XQLR did not move to production, many of its features were used for the 747 Advanced. The 747-8 features a new solid-state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system, which can create mood lighting. Boeing’s 737 aircraft series have emerged as the company’s best sellers. The Airbus A380-800 sells for nearly US$58 million more than the new Boeing as of January this year, depending on customization and engine. [38] Further flight testing was to take place in Moses Lake, conducting initial airworthiness and flutter tests, before moving to Palmdale, California, for the majority of flight tests, so as to not interfere with 787 flight tests based out of Boeing Field in Seattle. The 747-8 is the latest derivative of the 747 family of airplanes and is offered in both Freighter and Passenger versions. [99][100][101][102][103][104][105], Volga-Dnepr Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing for the purchase of 20 more 747-8Fs at the 2015 Paris Air Show. [121], The General Electric GEnx is the only engine available for the 747-8. An epic eight-part documentary series 100 years in the making. [25] On November 12, 2009, Boeing announced that Cargolux's first airplane was fully assembled and entering the Everett plant's paint shop. Bringing new ideas to life through technology advancements, disruptive market strategies, and venture partnerships. [124] The 747-8F is the initial model to enter service. [36] Boeing estimated that more than 1,600 flight hours would be needed in order to certify the 747-8. [120] The 747-8's vertical tail unit is largely unchanged with a height of 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m). Directly behind this row are the 4 other rows of business class (10-14). [80][81] In 2013, Arik Air converted its order for two 747-8s[82] to two 777-300ERs. [14][15] On November 14, 2008, Boeing announced a delay to the 747-8 program, citing limited availability of engineering resources within Boeing, design changes, and the recent strike by factory workers. The Boeing Archives Presents Video Series. [116] The new wing features single-slotted outboard flaps and double-slotted inboard flaps. [150] The second 747-8I first flew the following month. The new 747 8 is the next generation of this iconic aircraft and benefits from technologies and enhancements that were used to create the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The -8I's upper deck is lengthened compared to the 747-400. [85], The overall demand for the 747-8 turned out to be below Boeing's initial projections as well, which led to several reductions in production rate. [165], Boeing 747-8I aircraft in special VIP configuration for state leaders have also been ordered. [94] In an SEC filing submitted at the same time, Boeing stated that if they were "unable to obtain sufficient orders and/or market, production and other risks cannot be mitigated, [...] it is reasonably possible that we could decide to end production of the 747. This facility would include "SkySuites", small individual compartments with sliding doors or curtains, featuring beds, seating, and entertainment or business equipment. It has three classes of seats and consists of two decks. The chief reason given was that the recovery of the air cargo market had stalled, resulting in slowed demand for the 747 freighter. ], On July 31, 2013, an Airbridge Cargo 747-8F experienced core engine icing that caused engine malfunctions and damage to three engines near Chengdu, China, while en route to Hong Kong; the aircraft landed safely at its destination. [173] The NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations to the FAA to require ultrasonic scans for midshaft fractures before use of GEnx engines and require repetitive on-wing inspections of the engine to detect cracks before it could reach a critical length.[174][importance? [87] In January 2016, Boeing confirmed that it was reducing 747-8 production to 0.5 per month beginning in September 2016, incurring a $569 million post-tax charge against its fourth-quarter 2015 profits. [110], On July 2, 2020, media reports state that Boeing intends to end 747 production in 2022 after the 16 outstanding orders are built and delivered. [151] At that time, −8I deliveries were planned to begin in early 2012. Boeing and General Electric are working on software changes to mitigate the effects of core engine icing. The 747-8I can carry 51 more passengers and two more freight pallets with 26% more cargo volume than the 747-400. But that’s because it was designed nearly 35-40 years after the Boeing 747 took flight and Airbus knew exactly on what metric to beat them. 27 Sep 2016 . [114] The increased wing span makes the 747-8 a Category F size airplane rather than Category E size,[115] similar to the Airbus A380. Boeing has stated that compared to the 747-400, the -8I is to be 30% quieter, 16% more fuel-efficient, and have 13% lower seat-mile costs with nearly the same cost per trip. The company took a US$1-billion charge against its earnings for this delay. The Boeing 747 also served well in the military role, as the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, as Air Force One, and soon, as the platform for an antiballistic missile laser system -- the ABL. Which one of these planes do you like more? Write it in the comments. The Boeing 787 is great and all, but I'll miss your upper deck. The remaining aircraft in the test fleet were scheduled to move to Palmdale during May. The 747-8 is the world's longest currently operational passenger airliner, surpassing the Airbus A340-600 by 3.1 ft (0.95 m). On current fleet, Lufthansa operated 19 wide-body aircraft Boeing 747-8I. 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