Boeing premieres new 747-8 Intercontinental

Posted by John McHaleEVERETT, Wash., 14 Feb. 2011. Boeing (NYSE: BA) unveiled its new 747-8 Intercontinental, a new high-capacity passenger airplane that offers airlines low operating costs for large passenger airplanes, while providing enhanced environmental performance.The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger, and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings."The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies -- applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner," says Jim Albaugh, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer. "We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.""The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet's eco-efficiency even further," says Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. "As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts."Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch operator Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter."As the only airplane in the 400 to 500-seat market, the 747-8 Intercontinental will give operators an airplane perfectly suited for long, heavily traveled routes around the world," says Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The new 747-8 Intercontinental will set a new standard in economic and environmental performance, while providing a world-class passenger experience."The airplane unveiled is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a departure from Boeing's standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck, company officials say.