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The 'Boeing 747-8' is the latest variant of the Boeing 747, officially announced on November 14, 2005 as an evolutionary development of the Boeing 747-400. Prior to the formal 2005 announcement, it was known publicly as the '747 Advanced'. With a maximum take-off weight of 970,000 lb (439,985 kg), the 747-8 is the heaviest aircraft ever offered by a US aircraft producer, commercial or military.

Contents

Development

Design

Variants

747-8 Freighter

747-8 Intercontinental

Orders and deliveries

Marketing and sales performance

Specifications

References

External links

Related content

Development

The '747-8' will use the same engine and cockpit technology as the 787. Boeing named the new airliner "747-8" because of the technology it will share with that aircraft. Before the official launch of the 747-8, Boeing had plans to develop other variants of existing 747 models under the names '747X' (Experimental) and '747-400XQLR' (Experimental Quiet Long Range). These designations were dropped in favor of the 747 Advanced program, which evolved into the 747-8.
Boeing says that the new design will be quieter, more economical and more environmentally friendly than previous versions of the 747. As a derivative of the already common 747-400, the 747-8 has the economic benefit of similar training and interchangeable parts. Certification is another area where savings can be made compared with the new design of the Airbus A380.
The 747-8, as the current new development of Boeing's largest airliner, is notably in direct competition on long haul routes with the A380, a full length double-deck aircraft also being developed and pre-sold at a similar time. For airlines seeking very large passenger airliners, the two have been pitched as competitors on various occasions. Following another delay to the A380 program in October 2006, some airlines stated they were considering switching their orders to the 747-8.^[4]

Design

The 747-8 is a development of the venerable Boeing 747 which takes advantage of improvements in technology and aerodynamics. The two variants of the 747-8 were launched in 2005, and as of 2006 will both feature a fuselage stretch of 18.3 ft (5.6 m) over the 747-400, bringing the total length to 250 ft 2½ in (76.4 m). The stretch would mean that the 747-8 would be the world's longest airliner, surpassing the Airbus A340-600 by 1.1 meter.
Compared to the 747-400, the main technical changes will be on the wing of the aircraft which will undergo a complete design overhaul. The sweep and basic structure will be kept to contain the costs but the wing will be thicker and deeper, with the aerodynamics recalculated. The pressure distribution and bending moments will be different, with the new wing for the passenger version being planned to hold 60,125 litres of kerosene fuel, and the cargo aircraft 56,825 litres. The extra fuel capacity in the redesigned wing compared to the 747-400 obviates the need to radically change the horizontal tail unit to accommodate auxiliary tanks further saving costs. Nonetheless, the vertical tail unit will be raised slightly to 19.4 meters on the 747-8.
Some carbon fiber reinforced plastic will be utilized in the 747-8's airframe to reduce weight; however structural changes will mostly be evolutionary rather than revolutionary with respect to the 747-400. The 747-8 will feature an enhanced wing with improved aerodynamics. It will have single-slotted outboard flaps and double-slotted inboard flaps. Raked wingtips, similar to the ones currently on the 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 767-400ER models and the 787-8 and 787-9 design, will replace the winglets on the 747-400. These structures help reduce the wingtip vortices at the lateral edges of the wings, decreasing wake turbulence and drag and thereby increasing fuel efficiency.
For the time being, the General Electric GEnx, which is one of the two powerplant choices currently offered for the 787, will be the only engine available for the 747-8. However, the 747 variant will be adapted to provide bleed-air for conventional aircraft systems and feature a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing.
The 747-8 Freighter will enter service in 2009, while the passenger 747-8 Intercontinental will be introduced in 2010.

Variants

747-8 Freighter

The 747 has proven to be a very popular freighter, carrying roughly half of the world's air freight.^[5] In an effort to maintain this dominant position, Boeing has designed a freight variant of the 747-8, dubbed '747-8 Freighter' or '747-8F'. The 747-8F will be the initial model to see entry into service (EIS). As on the 747-400F, the upper deck is shorter than passenger models; the 18 ft 3½ in (5.6 m) stretch is just before and just aft of the wing. With a 970,000 lb (440 tonnes) maximum take-off weight, it will have a total payload capability of 308,000 lb (140 tonnes) and a range of 4,475 nm (8,275 km, 5,140 mi).^[6] Four extra pallet spaces will be created on the main deck, with two extra containers and two extra pallets on the lower deck.
The 747-8F will have more payload capacity but less range than the current 747-400ERF. When Boeing launched the ERF, all of the 35,000 lb increase in MTOW over the 747-400F (875,000 lb to 910,000 lb) allowed airlines to takeoff with more fuel, burn it during flight, and land at the same weight as the regular 747-400F. This increased the range of the 747-400ERF compared to the 747-400F. Cargo carriers such as Cargolux often move machinery or indivisible loads that require a plane with a higher payload and landing capability. As with all planes, range is given with maximum payload not fuel. The 747-8's 60,000 lb MTOW increase (970,000 lb) has been directed exclusively to its Zero-Fuel weight or payload capacity. If taking off at maximum payload, the 747-8 takes off with its tanks roughly half empty. On trips where the payload is not at maximum, the plane can therefore take on more fuel and extend its range.

747-8 Intercontinental

Artist's rendering of the passenger 747-8 ''Intercontinental''.

The passenger version (dubbed '747-8 ''Intercontinental''' or '747-8I') will be capable of carrying up to 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration over 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) at Mach 0.855. The 747-8I will carry 51 more passengers and two more freight pallets than the 747-400. Despite initial plans for a shorter stretch than the freighter model, the two variants will be the same length, increasing passenger capacity and allowing easier modification of the 747-8I to freighter use. [1] New engine technology and aerodynamic modifications extend its range, allowing non-stop flights such as Hong Kong – New York or Sydney – Dallas/Fort Worth. However, firm configuration is only expected in the mid to late 2007.
For the 747-8, Boeing has proposed some changes to the interior layout of the aircraft. Most noticeable will be the stairway to the upper deck. On present 747-300 and -400 models, the stairway is straight, narrow, and runs from the galley area located at door 2 (the second door from the front of the aircraft), to the back of the upper deck, on the left hand side. The stairway on the 747-8I will be a curved, sweeping staircase. Originally proposed to be on the right-hand side, it has been moved back to the left-hand side after Lufthansa's order. The window line will be extended to where the stairway reaches the upper deck, and a further set of windows may be placed overhead.
Further down the aircraft, it has been proposed to place cabin accessible facilities in the "crown" area (the space above the passenger cabin, currently used for air conditioning ducts and wiring). The wiring and ducts will be moved to the side to create extra space; consequently they will not have windows. This added space can be used for galleys and crew rest areas, freeing up main deck space for additional passenger seating. During the initial 747-8 marketing phase, Boeing also proposed creating a revenue-generating "SkyLoft" passenger facility in the crown space. This facility would include "SkySuites," small individual compartments with sliding doors or curtains, featuring beds, seating, and entertainment or business equipment. A common lounge area could also be provided. Boeing also proposed smaller, more modest "SkyBunks". Access to the crown area would be via a separate stairway at the rear of the aircraft. Passengers using the SkySuites, sold at a premium price, would sit in regular economy class seats for take off and landing, and move to the crown area during flight. However, pricing feasibility studies found the SkyLoft concept difficult to justify. In 2007, Boeing dropped the SkyLoft concept in favor of upper deck galley storage options, which were favored by the airlines.^[7]
The main cabin uses an interior similar to that of the 787's. Overhead bins are curved, and the center row is designed to look as though it is attached to the curved ceiling, rather than integrated into the ceiling's curve like on the 777. The windows will also be of similar size to the type used on the 777 and the 767-400ER, which are 16% larger than on the current 747-400s. The 747-8 will feature a new solid state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system. It will be possible to create various moods in the cabin, from sunrise to sunset, making travel a more comfortable and relaxing experience. At the same time, LED technology offers additional advantages regarding lower maintenance costs and longer intervals between unscheduled repairs.
Lufthansa launched the 747-8I on December 6, 2006, becoming the first airline to order the variant.[2] Though solitary VIP orders had been placed, Lufthansa will receive the first 747-8Is off the production line. Other airlines such as Japan Airlines (as the operators of the largest 747 fleet), British Airways (as the operators of the largest series 400 fleet), Northwest Airlines (as the launch customer of the 747-400), Pakistan International Airlines, China Airlines, Air India and Cathay Pacific are viewed as other potential 747-8 operators, given their historical links with Boeing and the fact that none have ordered the Airbus A380 as yet.

Orders and deliveries

This plane has not yet entered service. As of 2007, the following orders have been taken.

Date	Airline	EIS	Type			Notes
			747‑8I	747‑8F	Options
November 15 2005	Cargolux [3]	2009		10	(10)	'Launch customer for 747-8 Freighter' (10 purchase rights, not options)
	Nippon Cargo Airlines [4]	2009		8	6	'Launch customer for 747-8 Freighter'
May 30, 2006	Boeing Business Jet [5]	2010	1			Unidentified VIP Order
September 11, 2006	Atlas Air [6]	2010		12	14
September 15, 2006	Boeing Business Jet [7]	2010	1			Unidentified VIP Order
September 26, 2006	Boeing Business Jet [8]	2010	1			Unidentified VIP Order
October 9, 2006	Emirates SkyCargo [9]	2010		10
November 6, 2006	Boeing Business Jet	2010	1			Unidentified VIP Order
November 30, 2006	Guggenheim Aviation Partners [10]	2009		4	2
December 6, 2006	Lufthansa [11] [12]	2010	20		20	'Launch customer for 747-8 Intercontinental'
December 28, 2006	Korean Air [13]	2010		5
March 9, 2007	Nippon Cargo Airlines [14]			6
March 12, 2007	Volga-Dnepr [15]			5	(5)	Subsidiary AirBridge Cargo will operate the airplanes. (5 purchase rights)
March 19 2007	Cargolux [16]	2009		3	2
July 10, 2007	Boeing Business Jet		1			Unidentified VIP Order
July 27, 2007	Unidentified Customer [17]			2		The customer is thought to be Guggenheim Aviation Partners[8] but cannot be confirmed.
Sub-totals			25	65	44 (15)
Totals			90

:''Entries shaded in pink have been announced, but have not yet signed a firm contract..''

^★ There is speculation on who the first BBJ customer is. Three articles [18] [19] [20] suggest or state that it is the Qatar Government. It has also been suggested that the unidentified customer may be Saudi Arabian Airlines, but the article quoted [21] does not seem to confirm this. Planes purchased through the Boeing Business Jet division are delivered in "green" condition meaning there are no interiors and external livery paint is not applied.

A size comparison between four of the largest aircraft.

Marketing and sales performance

★ British Airways announced on November 3, 2006 that they have asked Boeing and Airbus for bids to provide replacements for 34 long-haul airliners and additional aircraft for fleet expansion. BA is reportedly considering all variants of long haul aircraft from both companies, including the 747-8. General Electric and Rolls Royce have also been invited to provide bids for engines and engineering services. Analysts at UBS expect the aircraft order will be placed with one manufacturer to simplify maintenance. The lack of a Rolls Royce engine for the 747-8 may also have an impact on the order. BA is traditionally very supportive of Rolls Royce and is one of the largest RR customers.^[9][10][11]

Specifications

Measurement	747-8I	747-8F
Cockpit crew	Two
Seating capacity	467 (3-class)	N/A
Length	250 ft 8 in (76.4 m)
Wingspan	224 ft 7 in (68.5 m)
Height	64 ft 2 in (19.5 m)
Cabin width	20.1 ft (6.1 m)
Empty weight	410,000  lb (185,972kg)	?  lb (? kg)
Zero fuel weight	610,000 lb (276,691 kg)	702,000 lb (318,422 kg)
Maximum take-off weight	970,000 lb (439,985 kg)
Cruising speed	0.855 Mach	0.845 Mach
Range fully loaded	8,000 nm (14,815 km)	4,475 nm (8,275 km)
Cargo capacity	5,705 ft³ (161.5 m³)	30,177 ft³ (854.3 m³)
Service ceiling	43,000 ft (13,100 m)
4× Engines	GEnx-2B67
4× Thrust	66,500 lbf (296 kN)

References

1. BOEING LAUNCHES 747-8
2. Boeing Commercial Airplanes prices, retrived June 26, 2007.
3. ''"Boeing boosts aircraft prices 5.5% on rising cost of labor, materials"'', Air Transport World, June 26 2007.
4. Airbus will lose €4.8bn because of A380 delays David Robertson
5. "Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World's Best Freighters." Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family.
6. "Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter." Boeing 747-8I and 747-8F Facts.
7. Space race: next-generation cabins
8. "Guggenheim signs for additional Boeing 747-8Fs and a 777F.", Flight Global August 8, 2007
9. Bloomberg News 3rd November 2006
10. Vanguard October 16th 2006
11. Rolls Royce Market Outlook 2006-2025

External links

★ Boeing 747-8 on Boeing.com

★ Boeing 747-8, The Shape of the Future on NewAirplane.com

★ Boeing 747-8 airport planning guide

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