Water cannons greet the arrival of the first 747-8 Intercontinental to Hong Kong in April. The latest version of the fabled jumbo jet, the 747-8 Intercontinental rolled out last year and is currently being built at a rate of two per month. Each 747-8 is made up of about 6 million parts and has a list price of $351.4 million.
New chapter for the 747 —
Water cannons greet the arrival of the first 747-8 Intercontinental to Hong Kong in April. The latest version of the fabled jumbo jet, the 747-8 Intercontinental rolled out last year and is currently being built at a rate of two per month. Each 747-8 is made up of about 6 million parts and has a list price of $351.4 million.
courtesy lufthansa
Lufthansa is the only airline flying a passenger version of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. The carrier took delivery of the first of 19 planes in May 2012. Boeing changed its naming convention for the latest 747. The plane's "747-8" designation highlights the technology connection between Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and its new 747. An older 747-400 appears in the background of this photo.
New and old —
Lufthansa is the only airline flying a passenger version of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. The carrier took delivery of the first of 19 planes in May 2012. Boeing changed its naming convention for the latest 747. The plane's "747-8" designation highlights the technology connection between Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and its new 747. An older 747-400 appears in the background of this photo.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
If you didn't notice it in the first two images, this photo taken through a rain-stained window shows the new wing. The Boeing 747-8 has done away with its recognizable winglets. The new raked wingtip design improves aerodynamics, reducing fuel use. The same design is used on the 787 Dreamliner. The 747-8 is 14% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, according to Boeing. Lufthansa says fuel efficiency has been 1% better than forecast. The noise footprint of the plane is about 30% smaller than for the 747-400.
Raked wingtip —
If you didn't notice it in the first two images, this photo taken through a rain-stained window shows the new wing. The Boeing 747-8 has done away with its recognizable winglets. The new raked wingtip design improves aerodynamics, reducing fuel use. The same design is used on the 787 Dreamliner. The 747-8 is 14% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, according to Boeing. Lufthansa says fuel efficiency has been 1% better than forecast. The noise footprint of the plane is about 30% smaller than for the 747-400.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Though the cockpit has been upgraded, it's based on the same technology used in the Boeing 747-400 and 787. This means existing flight simulators can be used and conversion training is minimized. Ailerons (hinged surfaces used to control lateral balance) and flaps on the wings are operated by fly-by-wire technology.
Cockpit —
Though the cockpit has been upgraded, it's based on the same technology used in the Boeing 747-400 and 787. This means existing flight simulators can be used and conversion training is minimized. Ailerons (hinged surfaces used to control lateral balance) and flaps on the wings are operated by fly-by-wire technology.
CNN
A rest area for pilots is located at the back of the cockpit area, but behind the security door. A rest area for cabin crew is located at the very rear of the 747-8.
First 747-8 —
A rest area for pilots is located at the back of the cockpit area, but behind the security door. A rest area for cabin crew is located at the very rear of the 747-8.
CNN
Lufthansa's first-class cabin is touted as the quietest in the world. Suede walls, floors and curtains are designed to absorb or insulate sound. This plane is fitted out with eight first-class seats; each is 80 centimeters wide and when flat offers 207 centimeters of space.
First in first —
Lufthansa's first-class cabin is touted as the quietest in the world. Suede walls, floors and curtains are designed to absorb or insulate sound. This plane is fitted out with eight first-class seats; each is 80 centimeters wide and when flat offers 207 centimeters of space.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Sure, first class has suede walls and more than 100 video options on its 17-inch monitors, but, for us, the coolest feature is automatic window blinds! Like kids in a new car pressing all the buttons, we just couldn't help ourselves.
Shades go up, shades go down —
Sure, first class has suede walls and more than 100 video options on its 17-inch monitors, but, for us, the coolest feature is automatic window blinds! Like kids in a new car pressing all the buttons, we just couldn't help ourselves.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Our fill-in model demonstrates a fully reclined first-class seat. When properly set up for flight, there's a mattress on top of the seat. A partition can be raised between seats to increase privacy. We don't recommend sleeping in a business suit.
Dream liner —
Our fill-in model demonstrates a fully reclined first-class seat. When properly set up for flight, there's a mattress on top of the seat. A partition can be raised between seats to increase privacy. We don't recommend sleeping in a business suit.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
With the new aircraft, Lufthansa is launching a new business class. This 747-8 is kitted out with 80 business-class seats. There are 32 in the upper deck, 48 below (pictured here). The lower area sports a V-shaped 2-2-2 configuration. Upstairs it's 2-2.
Business class —
With the new aircraft, Lufthansa is launching a new business class. This 747-8 is kitted out with 80 business-class seats. There are 32 in the upper deck, 48 below (pictured here). The lower area sports a V-shaped 2-2-2 configuration. Upstairs it's 2-2.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Lufthansa's business-class seat can be flattened to make a 1.98-meter bed. It felt a little snug for our 188 cm model (wearing shoes), but lowering arm rests and a hollow center console added to the comfort. Lufthansa says 1,340 passengers tested its new seat.
New seat —
Lufthansa's business-class seat can be flattened to make a 1.98-meter bed. It felt a little snug for our 188 cm model (wearing shoes), but lowering arm rests and a hollow center console added to the comfort. Lufthansa says 1,340 passengers tested its new seat.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
The 747's famed staircase has been redesigned. With a new "flared" shape, the area is a lot brighter and feels more open than it used to. The entire entryway area at the base has also been redesigned.
The joy of upstairs —
The 747's famed staircase has been redesigned. With a new "flared" shape, the area is a lot brighter and feels more open than it used to. The entire entryway area at the base has also been redesigned.
hiufu wong/cnn
The economy class seating plan sports a 3-4-3 configuration and can accommodate a total of 298 passengers. An improvement is extra head space -- some overhead storage space has been relocated into the curved walls.
Economy class —
The economy class seating plan sports a 3-4-3 configuration and can accommodate a total of 298 passengers. An improvement is extra head space -- some overhead storage space has been relocated into the curved walls.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Economy-class seats are 52 centimeters wide and can be inclined 113 degrees. Lufthansa says it has added 5 to 7 centimeters more leg room than its 747-400. All seats on the plane are set up for inflight power and can handle iDevices. In economy, each has a 9-inch monitor with 50 video options.
More room —
Economy-class seats are 52 centimeters wide and can be inclined 113 degrees. Lufthansa says it has added 5 to 7 centimeters more leg room than its 747-400. All seats on the plane are set up for inflight power and can handle iDevices. In economy, each has a 9-inch monitor with 50 video options.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Lufthansa is currently flying six 747-8s, serving Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Bangalore and New Delhi. Korean Air and Air China are the only other airlines to date that have ordered the 747-8 Intercontinental. A freighter version, the 747-8F, is in operation with Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Atlas Air and other cargo carriers.
Sole operator —
Lufthansa is currently flying six 747-8s, serving Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Bangalore and New Delhi. Korean Air and Air China are the only other airlines to date that have ordered the 747-8 Intercontinental. A freighter version, the 747-8F, is in operation with Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Atlas Air and other cargo carriers.
courtesy Lufthansa