Lufthansa flies first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental passenger aircraft from Frankfurt to Washington, D.C.

EAST MEADOW, N.Y., 6 June 2012.Lufthansa initiated commercial service of the Boeing (NYSE:BA) 747-8 Intercontinental jumbo jet along the inaugural route of Frankfurt to Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport.

Regularly scheduled passengers and such guests as Dr. Christoph Franz, Lufthansa's CEO and chairman of the executive board, and Elizabeth Lund, Boeing vice president and general manager of the 747 program, flew on the inaugural flight.

"The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is an exceptional aircraft," says Christoph Franz, chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. "With its addition to our fleet, Lufthansa has created a product that is not only in line with our company's commitment to innovation, technology, and efficiency, but that also offers qualities and features that are sure to maximize our passengers' in-flight experience. Travelers to and from Washington, D.C., are in for a memorable flight and Lufthansa looks forward to expanding our 747-8 Intercontinental service to other U.S. markets in the coming months."

"It is such an honor to join Lufthansa in welcoming the 747-8 Intercontinental into service," explains Elizabeth Lund, Boeing vice president and general manager, 747 Program. "Lufthansa has provided great inspiration and leadership in helping us design a new Queen of the Skies for the 21st Century, an airplane that Lufthansa will love for its efficiency and reliability, airport neighbors will love for its quiet operations and low emissions, and passengers will love for its beautiful new interior and extra space."

Lufthansa currently has 20 Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals on order and is expected to take delivery of five this year. The airline will roll-out service to gateways throughout the U.S. and India.

The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental features new, state-of-the-art wings with improved aerodynamics and raked wing tips; new fuel-efficient, U.S.-manufactured GEnx-2B engines that contribute to a reduction in fuel burn, emissions, and noise; and fly-by-wire technology.

The aircraft generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400 and brings double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions per passenger.