Boeing unveils next generation 747-8

February 13, 2011|By Chris Durden | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

Boeing Co.

(EVERETT, Washington) — Boeing unveiled its newest 747 Sunday at the same factory where the first of the iconic planes rolled out more than 40 years ago.

The 747-8 Intercontinental is a year behind schedule and first delivery is scheduled late this year. A freighter version began flight testing last February and the first one will be delivered later this year.

The 747-8’s wingspan stretches about 13 feet longer than the previous model, the 747-400. The cruising speed is about Mach 0.86, or 86 percent of the speed of sound.

The Intercontinental has a longer second deck and can seat approx. 467 people. Boeing hopes to begin flight testing next month, with FAA certification by fall and delivery soon after.

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Original Story, February 11

Boeing is waiting to find out if it will build the U.S. Air Force's new refueling tanker. The 787 Dreamliner is still behind schedule. But this weekend, the company will have reason to celebrate.

Boeing will unveil the passenger version of its next-generation 747, the 747-8 Intercontinental. A freighter version first flew last year.

Since that first flight, the 747-8 program has added four additional test planes to help move the freighter closer to certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Here is how Boeing describes the new version of the most famous and recognizable commercial aircraft in the world.

The 747-8 Intercontinental is the only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat market, stretched [18.3 ft] from the 747-400 to provide 467 seats in a three-class configuration and a [8,000 nautical mile] range. Using 787-technology engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions, and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. The 747 Intercontinental will provide nearly equivalent trip costs and 13 percent lower seat-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 26 percent greater cargo volume....The 747-8 is more than 10 percent lighter per seat than the [Airbus] A380 and will consume 11 percent less fuel per passenger than the 555-seat airplane. That translates into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than 6 percent, compared to the A380.

Boeing currently has just over 100 orders for both versions, but expects that number to rise as the global economy improves.

The 747-8 Intercontinental will be unveiled Sunday afternoon at Boeing's Everett, Washington facility. You can watch the event live at one o'clock by clicking on the link at the left side of this story.

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