The Boeing 747-8 is a
wide-body airliner
A wide-body aircraft, also known as a twin-aisle aircraft, is an airliner with a fuselage wide enough to accommodate two passenger aisles with seven or more seats abreast. The typical fuselage diameter is . In the typical wide-body economy cabin ...
formerly developed by
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) is a division of The Boeing Company. It designs, assembles, markets, and sells jet airliners and business jets ( Boeing Business Jets), and also provides product-related maintenance and training to customers wor ...
, and the largest variant of the
747.
After introducing the
747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, an advanced variant of the initial Boeing 747.
The "Advanced Series 300" was announced at the September 1984 Farnborough Airshow, targeting ...
, Boeing considered larger 747 versions as alternatives to the proposed double-deck Airbus A3XX, later developed as the
A380
The Airbus A380 is a large wide-body airliner that was developed and produced by Airbus. It is the world's largest passenger airliner and only full-length double-deck jet airliner.
Airbus studies started in 1988, and the project was annou ...
.
The stretched 747 Advanced was launched as the on November 14, 2005, for a market forecast of 300 aircraft.
The first 747-8F Freighter performed its
maiden flight
The maiden flight, also known as first flight, of an aircraft is the first occasion on which it leaves the ground under its own power. The same term is also used for the first launch of rockets.
The maiden flight of a new aircraft type is alwa ...
on February 8, 2010, and the passenger 747-8I Intercontinental followed suit on March 20, 2011.
The cargo version was first delivered in October 2011 and the airliner began commercial service in June 2012.
Its
fuselage
The fuselage (; from the French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an engine as well, although in some amphibious aircraft t ...
is stretched by to , making it the longest airliner until the
777X
The Boeing 777X is the latest series of the long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jetliners in the Boeing 777 family from Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The 777X features new GE9X engines, new composite wings with folding wingtips, greater cabin w ...
, which first flew in 2020. While keeping its basic structure and sweep, the wing is thicker and deeper, holding more fuel, and wider with
raked wingtip
Wingtip devices are intended to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft by reducing drag. Although there are several types of wing tip devices which function in different manners, their intended effect is always to reduce an aircraft' ...
s. Powered more efficiently than preceding 747s by a smaller version of the
General Electric GEnx
The General Electric GEnx ("General Electric Next-generation") is an advanced dual rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine in production by GE Aviation for the Boeing 787 and 747-8. The GEnx is intended to succeed the CF6 in GE's pr ...
turbofan from the
787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, ...
, its
maximum take-off weight
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) or maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of an aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot is allowed to attempt to takeoff, take off, due to structural or other limits. The a ...
(MTOW) grew to , the heaviest Boeing airliner.
The Freighter version has a shorter upper deck and can haul over .
The Intercontinental version can carry 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration over .
In mid-2022, it had 155 firm orders: 107 freighters and 48 passenger airliners, of which 152 have been delivered.
["747 Model Orders and Deliveries summary"](_blank)
. Boeing, December 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020. Production of the 747 ended in December 2022 with the delivery of the final 747-8F to
Atlas Air
Atlas Air, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. Atlas Air is the world's largest operator of the Boei ...
.
Development
Background
Boeing
The Boeing Company () is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product ...
had considered larger-capacity versions of the 747 several times during the 1990s and 2000s (
Boeing New Large Airplane
The Boeing NLA, or New Large Airplane, was a 1990s concept for an all-new quadjet airliner in the 500+ seat market. Somewhat larger than the 747, this aircraft was similar in concept to the McDonnell Douglas MD-12 and later Airbus A380. In 1993, B ...
).
["Boeing Outlines the "Value" of Its 747 Plans."](_blank)
''The Boeing Company'', September 2, 1996. Retrieved April 5, 2012. The 747-500X and -600X, proposed at the 1996
Farnborough Airshow
The Farnborough Airshow, officially the Farnborough International Airshow, is a trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries, where civilian and military aircraft are demonstrated to potential customers and investors. Since its fir ...
, would have stretched the 747 and used a 777-derived wing,
but it did not attract enough interest to enter development. In 2000, Boeing offered the 747X and 747X Stretch derivatives as alternatives to the
Airbus A3XX
The Airbus A380 is a large wide-body airliner that was developed and produced by Airbus. It is the world's largest passenger airliner and only full-length double-deck jet airliner.
Airbus studies started in 1988, and the project was annou ...
. This was a more modest proposal than the previous −500X and −600X. The 747X would increase the 747's
wingspan
The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777–200 has a wingspan of , and a wandering albatross (''Diomedea exulans'') caught in 1965 had a wingspan of ...
to by adding a segment at the root.
["Boeing 747 Celebrates 30 Years In Service"](_blank)
. Boeing, January 21, 2000. The 747X was to carry 430 passengers up to . The 747X Stretch would be extended to long, allowing it to carry 500 passengers up to .
However, the 747X family was unable to attract enough interest to enter production. Some of the ideas developed for the 747X were used on the
747-400ER.
After the 747X program, Boeing continued to study improvements to the 747. The 747-400XQLR (Quiet Long Range) was meant to have an increased range of , with better
fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the ratio of effort to result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier (fuel) into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, wh ...
and reduced
noise
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, there is no distinction between noise and desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water. The difference arise ...
. Changes studied included
raked wingtips
Wingtip devices are intended to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft by reducing drag (physics), drag. Although there are several types of wing tip devices which function in different manners, their intended effect is always to redu ...
similar to those used on the 767-400ER and a '
sawtooth' engine nacelle for noise reduction.
["Boeing Offers New 747-400X Quiet Longer Range Jetliner"](_blank)
. Boeing, February 26, 2002. Although the 747-400XQLR did not move to production, many of its features were used for the 747 Advanced.
In early 2004, Boeing announced tentative plans for the 747 Advanced that were eventually adopted. Similar in nature to the 747X, the stretched 747 Advanced used technology from the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, ...
to modernize the design and its systems. In 2005, Boeing forecast a market for 300 aircraft, split evenly between freighters and passenger variants.
Design effort
![Boeing Everett Plant](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Boeing_Everett_Plant.jpg)
On November 14, 2005, Boeing announced the launching of the 747 Advanced as the "Boeing 747-8".
The 747-8 was the first lengthened 747 to go into production and the second 747 version with a fuselage of modified length after the shortened
747SP
The Boeing 747SP (for ''Special Performance'') is a shortened version of the Boeing 747 wide-body airliner, designed for a longer range.
Boeing needed a smaller aircraft to compete with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 TriSta ...
. The 747-8 was intended to use the same engine and
cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft or spacecraft, from which a Pilot in command, pilot controls the aircraft.
The cockpit of an aircraft contains flight instruments on an instrument panel, and the ...
technology as that of the 787, including the
General Electric GEnx
The General Electric GEnx ("General Electric Next-generation") is an advanced dual rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine in production by GE Aviation for the Boeing 787 and 747-8. The GEnx is intended to succeed the CF6 in GE's pr ...
turbofan
The turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a portmanteau of "turbine" and "fan": the ''turbo'' portion refers to a gas turbine engine which ac ...
and
fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire (FBW) is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires, and flight control co ...
ailerons and spoilers.
[ In 2006, Boeing said that the new design would be quieter, more economical and more ]environmentally friendly
Environment friendly processes, or environmental-friendly processes (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green), are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that clai ...
than previous versions of the 747. As a derivative of the already-common 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, an advanced variant of the initial Boeing 747.
The "Advanced Series 300" was announced at the September 1984 Farnborough Airshow, targeting ...
, the 747-8 has the economic benefit of similar training and interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts ( components) that are identical for practical purposes. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. One such part can freely r ...
. Boeing firmed the 747-8 Freighter's configuration in October 2006.
The , as a new development of Boeing's largest airliner, is notably in direct competition on long-haul routes with the Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a large wide-body airliner that was developed and produced by Airbus. It is the world's largest passenger airliner and only full-length double-deck jet airliner.
Airbus studies started in 1988, and the project was annou ...
, a full-length double-deck aircraft
A double-deck aircraft has two decks for passengers; the second deck may be only a partial deck, and may be above or below the main deck. Most commercial aircraft have one passenger deck and one cargo deck for luggage and ULD containers, but on ...
introduced in 2007. For airlines seeking very large passenger airliners, the two have been pitched as competitors
Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, indivi ...
on various occasions. Boeing states that the 747-8 is more than 10 percent lighter per seat and consumes 11 percent less fuel per passenger than the A380, translating into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of over 6 percent.
Production of the first 747-8 Freighter began in Everett in early August 2008.[Dunlop, Michelle]
"Boeing: Getting 747-8 and 777 ready for production"
. Heraldnet.com, August 25, 2008. On November 14, 2008, Boeing announced a delay to the 747-8 program, citing limited availability of engineering resources within Boeing, design changes and the recent strike by factory workers. In February 2009, only one airline customer (Lufthansa) had ordered the 747-8I passenger model, and Boeing announced that it was reassessing the 747-8 project. Chief executive Jim McNerney stated that continuation of the project was not a foregone conclusion, and that the company was assessing various options.
On July 21, 2009, Boeing released a photograph of the first cargo airplane, its fuselage and main wing assembled.["First Boeing 747-8 Freighter Takes Shape"](_blank)
. Boeing, July 21, 2009. In October 2009, Boeing announced that it had delayed the first flight on the 747-8 until the first quarter of 2010 and delayed 747-8I delivery. The company took a US$1-billion charge against its earnings for this delay. In response, launch customer Cargolux
Cargolux, legally ''Cargolux Airlines International S.A.'', is a Luxembourgian flag carrier cargo airline with its headquarters and hub at Luxembourg Airport. With a global network, it is one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe ...
stated it still intended to take delivery of the thirteen freighters it had ordered; Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (), commonly shortened to Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it is the second- largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried. Lufthansa is one of the five founding m ...
confirmed its commitment to the passenger version. On November 12, 2009, Boeing announced that Cargolux's first airplane was fully assembled and entering the Everett plant's paint shop. It was to undergo flight testing prior to delivery.
On December 4, 2009, Korean Air
Korean Air Co., Ltd. (), operating as Korean Air (Korean Air Lines before 1984), is the flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline based on fleet size, international destinations and international flights.
The present-day Korean Air ...
became the second airline customer for the −8I passenger model, with an order for five airliners.[ On January 8, 2010, ]Guggenheim Aviation Partners
Guggenheim Partners is a global investment and advisory financial services firm that engages in investment banking, asset management, capital markets services, and insurance services.
Organization
The firm is headquartered in New York City an ...
(GAP) announced the reduction of its −8F order from four to two aircraft.["Guggenheim cancels orders for two Boeing 747-8Fs"]
Air Transport Intelligence news via FlightGlobal.com, January 8, 2010. In March 2011, Korean Air converted options into a firm order for two additional −8 freighters. It received its first -8i in late August 2015.
Flight testing and certification
The first engine runs were completed in December 2009. Boeing announced the new model had successfully completed high-speed taxi tests on February 7, 2010. On February 8, 2010, after a 2.5-hour weather delay, the 747-8 Freighter made its maiden flight, taking off from Paine Field
Paine Field , also known as Snohomish County Airport, is a commercial and general aviation airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in unincorporated Snohomish County, Washington, between the ...
, Washington at 12:39 PST, and landed at 4:18 pm PST. Boeing estimated that more than 1,600 flight hours would be needed in order to certify the . The second test flight in late February, a ferry flight to Moses Lake
Moses Lake is a lake and reservoir along the course of Crab Creek, in Washington state, USA.
Moses Lake is part of the Columbia River basin, as Crab Creek is a tributary of the Columbia River.
Although originally a shallow natural lake, Moses L ...
, Washington, tested new navigation equipment. Further flight testing was to take place in Moses Lake, conducting initial airworthiness and flutter tests, before moving to Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city in northern Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California. The city lies in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California. The San Gabriel Mountains separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles Basin to the south.
On Aug ...
, for the majority of flight tests so as to not interfere with 787 flight tests based out of Boeing Field
Boeing Field, officially King County International Airport , is a public airport owned and operated by King County, five miles south of downtown Seattle, Washington. The airport is sometimes referred to as KCIA (King County International Airpo ...
in Seattle.
By March 11, 2010, the 747-8F had flown thirteen flights covering a total of 33 hours. On March 15, 2010, the second 747-8F first flew from Paine Field to Boeing Field, where it was briefly based before moving to Palmdale to continue flight testing with the first −8F. On March 17 the third −8F made its first flight and joined the test program.
During the flight tests, Boeing discovered a buffet
A buffet can be either a sideboard (a flat-topped piece of furniture with cupboards and drawers, used for storing crockery, glasses, and table linen) or a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners serve ...
problem with the aircraft, involving turbulence coming off the landing gear doors interfering with the inboard flaps. Boeing undertook an evaluation of the issue, which included devoting the third test aircraft to investigating the problem. The issue was resolved by a design change to the outboard main landing gear doors. In early April 2010, Boeing identified a possible defect in one of the upper longeron
In engineering, a longeron and stringer is the load-bearing component of a framework.
The term is commonly used in connection with aircraft fuselages and automobile chassis. Longerons are used in conjunction with stringers to form structural ...
s, a main component of the fuselage. According to Boeing, the parts, manufactured by subcontractor Vought Aircraft Industries
Vought was the name of several related American aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought-Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace (part of Ling-Temco-Vought), Vought Aircraft Companies, and Vought Air ...
, were, under certain loads, susceptible to cracking. Boeing said that the issue would not affect flight testing, but other sources stated that the problem could impact the operating envelope of the aircraft until it was fully repaired. Two other issues found during testing were oscillation in the inboard aileron and a structural flutter, which had not been resolved as of 2010. Combined, these problems slowed flight testing and used up almost all the margin in Boeing's development schedule.
On April 19, 2010, the second flight-test aircraft was moved from Moses Lake to Palmdale to conduct tests on the aircraft's engines in preparation for obtaining a type certification
A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design (''type design''). It confirms that the aircraft of a new type intended for serial production, is in compliance with applica ...
for the aircraft. The remaining aircraft in the test fleet were scheduled to move to Palmdale during May. It was reported on June 3, 2010, that an engine on the second 747-8F was struck by a tug during a ground move. The engine cowling was damaged, but there was no damage to the engine itself. After repairs, the aircraft moved into fuel-efficiency testing. It was announced on June 14, 2010, that the 747-8 had completed the initial phase of flight-worthiness testing and that the Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...
had given Boeing an expanded type-inspection authorization for the aircraft.
By the end of June 2010, the three 747-8Fs that composed the flight-test program had flown a total of over 500 hours and had completed hot-weather testing in Arizona. In June 2010, Boeing determined that a fourth −8F aircraft was needed to help complete flight testing. It was decided to use the second production aircraft, RC503, to conduct the non-instrumented or minimally-instrumented tests, such as HIRF
A high-intensity radiated field (HIRF) is radio-frequency energy of a strength sufficient to adversely affect either a living organism or the performance of a device subjected to it. A microwave oven is an example of this principle put to control ...
and Water Spray Certifications. The aircraft, painted in delivery customer Cargolux
Cargolux, legally ''Cargolux Airlines International S.A.'', is a Luxembourgian flag carrier cargo airline with its headquarters and hub at Luxembourg Airport. With a global network, it is one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe ...
's new livery, first flew on July 23, 2010.
On August 21, 2010, a 747-8F proved the variant's capability by taking off from the runway at Victorville, California weighing 1,005,000 pounds (455,860 kg). Its design maximum take-off weight
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) or maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of an aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot is allowed to attempt to takeoff, take off, due to structural or other limits. The a ...
(MTOW) is 975,000 pounds (442,253 kg). The fifth 747-8F joined the flight-test effort with its first flight on February 3, 2011.[Ostrower, Jon]
"Fifth 747-8F test aircraft completes first flight"
Air Transport Intelligence news via Flightglobal.com, February 4, 2011. On September 30, 2010, Boeing announced a further postponement, with the delivery of the first freighter to Cargolux planned for mid-2011.
The 747-8 passenger version took to the skies over Everett, Washington, for the first time on March 20, 2011. The second 747-8I flew on April 26, 2011.[Benedikz, Richard]
"Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Flight Test"
. Key Publishing via key.aero, April 27, 2011. Three 747-8 Intercontinentals had taken part in flight testing by December 2011.[
]
The 747-8F received its amended type certificate
A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design (''type design''). It confirms that the aircraft of a new type intended for serial production, is in compliance with applica ...
jointly from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) with responsibility for civil aviation safety. It carries out certification, regulation and standardisation and also performs investigation and monitorin ...
(EASA) on August 19, 2011. Freighter deliveries were to begin on September 19, 2011. Then, on September 17, 2011, Cargolux announced that it would not accept the first two 747-8Fs scheduled for delivery on September 19 and 21, 2011, due to "unresolved contractual issues between Boeing and Cargolux" with the aircraft. It entered service in October 2011.
On October 25, 2011, a 747-8 flew to Grantley Adams International Airport
Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) is the international airport of Barbados, located in Seawell, Christ Church. It is the only designated port of entry for persons arriving and departing by air in Barbados and operates as one of t ...
in Barbados to begin flight testing in the tropical climate
Tropical climate is the first of the five major climate groups in the Köppen climate classification identified with the letter A. Tropical climates are defined by a monthly average temperature of 18 °C (64.4 °F) or higher in the cool ...
of the Caribbean
The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...
, to determine its effects on the aircraft. One test −8i was used for an evaluation by Lufthansa in early December, 2011 before first delivery in early 2012.[Norris, Guy and Lee Ann Tegtmeier]
"A380 Experience and Dress Rehearsal Smooth Way For 747-8"
''Aviation Week'', December 12, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2016. On December 14, 2011, the 747-8I received its type certificate from the FAA. The aircraft noise
Aircraft noise pollution refers to noise produced by aircraft in flight that has been associated with several negative stress-mediated health effects, from sleep disorders to cardiovascular ones. Governments have enacted extensive controls that a ...
from the 747-8 has earned it a Quota Count of 2 for takeoff and 1 for landing at London's three major airports, a significant improvement over the .
In February 2015, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental was given 330-minute ETOPS
ETOPS () is an acronym for ''Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards''—a special part of flight rules for one-engine-inoperative flight conditions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) coined the acronym for ...
approval, the first time that ETOPS-330 approval was given to a four-engined aircraft.
Into service and further development
On April 21, 2010, Boeing chief executive officer Jim McNerney announced that the company would be accelerating the production of both the Boeing 747 and 777
777 may refer to:
* 777 (number), a number
* AD 777, a year of the Julian calendar
* 777 BC, a year in the 8th century BC
* Boeing 777, a commercial jet airliner
:* Boeing 777X, the newer generation of the Boeing 777.
Art and entertainment Alb ...
to support increasing customer demand.
Boeing handed over the first 747-8F to Cargolux in Everett, Washington, on October 12, 2011. The first 747-8 Intercontinental was delivered to Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (), commonly shortened to Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it is the second- largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried. Lufthansa is one of the five founding m ...
on May 5, 2012, which began operating the version on flights from Frankfurt to Washington, D.C. on June 1, 2012.
In 2014, Boeing embarked on an improvement program for the 747-8 named "Project Ozark", with the goal of improved range and lower fuel burn. With all improvements implemented, the resulting aircraft would have a maximum takeoff weight of greater than . The company slowly introduced aspects of Ozark over time. An engine Performance Improvement Package resulted in a 2% lower fuel burn. Boeing also improved the tail fuel tank's function and improved the flight management software. Aircraft produced beginning in 2014 weigh less than the first 747-8 coming off the production line and burn 3.5% less fuel.[Norris, Guy and Jens Flottau. "Life extension", ''Aviation Week & Space Technology'', July 7, 2014, pp. 21-2.]
Other improvements include revised fairings next to the tail and wing-to-body-fairings. The chevrons on the trailing edge of the GEnx-2B nacelle were made thinner. Boeing hoped that these improvements, which benefit both the passenger and freighter version, would help improve sales. Boeing has since updated the incremental improvements planned for the , which include increasing the maximum takeoff weight to , strengthening the main landing gear and increasing the aircraft's full-payload range to .
Sales prospects
In early 2014, the director-general of the International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association (IATA ) is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tariff ...
noted that slower economic growth, following the Great Recession
The Great Recession was a period of marked general decline, i.e. a recession, observed in national economies globally that occurred from late 2007 into 2009. The scale and timing of the recession varied from country to country (see map). At ...
of 2008, had led to lower demand for air freighters. The world's air cargo fleet in 2012 was smaller than it was in 2003. However, the proportion of very large freighters in that fleet has increased, and Boeing's dominant position in large, fuel-efficient freighters has offered the company an opportunity to protect its market share and its product line despite the market weakness.
Demand has been chiefly for the 747-8F, which accounts for the majority of 747-8 aircraft ordered. The large capacity of the 747-8 is an advantage for the freighter version, not the passenger version. Moreover, the freighter has no direct competitor, as Airbus' competing A380 freighter version was canceled during development.
Airlines including Emirates
Emirates may refer to:
* United Arab Emirates, a Middle Eastern country
* Emirate, any territory ruled by an emir
** Gulf emirates, emirates located on the Persian Gulf
** Emirates of the United Arab Emirates, the individual emirates
* The Emirat ...
and British Airways
British Airways (BA) is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a populati ...
considered ordering the passenger version, but opted to purchase the Airbus A380 instead. In 2013, Arik Air
Arik Air is a Nigerian airline operating mainly from two hubs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Arik Air's head office is the ''Arik Air Aviation Center'' on the grounds of Mu ...
converted its order for two 747-8s["Arik Air Orders Two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals"](_blank)
. Boeing, October 6, 2011. to two 777-300ERs.[ At the 2013 Paris Air Show, Korean Air agreed to order five 747-8 passenger versions, in addition to five ordered in 2009. Korean Air and Boeing finalized the new -8 order in October 2013.]["Korean Air orders more Boeing widebodies"](_blank)
. Flight Global, October 24, 2013.
The overall demand for the 747-8 turned out to be below Boeing's initial projections as well, which led to several reductions in production rate. Production was initially decreased from 2 to 1.75 aircraft per month in April 2013 and then reduced further to 1.5 aircraft per month in October 2013.[Trimble, Stephen]
"Boeing cuts 747-8 production to 1.5 per month"
. ''Flight Global
FlightGlobal is an online news and information website which covers the aviation and aerospace industries.
The website was established in February 2006 as the website of ''Flight International'' magazine, ''Airline Business'', ''ACAS'', ''Air ...
'', October 18, 2013. Accessed: February 7, 2016. On June 25, 2015, ''The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
'' reported that the order backlog was down to 32 and Boeing had decided to reduce production to one aircraft per month in 2016. In January 2016, Boeing confirmed that it was reducing 747-8 production to 0.5 per month beginning in September 2016, incurring a $569 million post-tax charge against its fourth-quarter 2015 profits. The chief reason given was that the recovery of the air cargo market had stalled, resulting in slowed demand for the 747 freighter.
Boeing cited the 747-8F as the main driver behind potential future 747-8 orders. To help reduce production costs in the meantime and maintain the 747 production line's viability, the company plans to integrate the 747 and 767 production lines more closely with each other. Boeing expected the cargo market to improve by mid-2019 and were planning to increase the 747's production rate back to 1/month from then on. However, in July 2016, this production rate increase was cancelled, i.e. 747 production remained at 0.5 per month. At the same time, the company announced another after-tax charge of $814 million, reflecting a lower estimation of airframes to be produced and revenue realized. In an SEC filing submitted at the same time, Boeing stated that if it was "unable to obtain sufficient orders and/or market, production and other risks cannot be mitigated, ..it is reasonably possible that we could decide to end production of the 747."
The Boeing 747-8I was intended to fill a niche between the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777-300ER. The future for the 747-8 passenger version appears limited. Airlines bought the original 747 primarily for its range, not its capacity. The advent of long-range twin-engine jets, notably Boeing's own 777, took away the 747's range advantage. Compared to the 747-8I, the upcoming 777-9X "mini-jumbo jet" is projected to have a lower fuel cost per seat mile and greater cargo capacity, though it has a lower passenger capacity and higher list price; consequently, the 777-9X has totaled more orders than the 747-8I due to airlines placing a high value on fuel efficiency.
For operators that require high capacity on routes, such as Emirates Airlines, most have preferred the Airbus A380 as it is an all-new design, while the 747-8's lineage is 40 years old, although some have criticized the A380's looks and complimented the 747-8I's appearance. Analysts do not see bright prospects for very large aircraft—those with more than 400 seats—whose orders have slowed in the mid-2010s, since there are widebody twinjets with similar range and greater fuel efficiency, giving airlines more flexibility at a lower upfront cost.[Sparaco, Pierre.]
Opinion: Mega-Transports Hobbled By Their Size
" ''Aviation Week & Space Technology
''Aviation Week & Space Technology'', often abbreviated ''Aviation Week'' or ''AW&ST'', is the flagship magazine of the Aviation Week Network. The weekly magazine is available in print and online, reporting on the aerospace, defense and aviati ...
'', 3 March 2014. Accessed: 17 November 2014.[Hofman, Kurt.]
Air France: Airbus A380 not a good fit for the network.
" ''Air Transport World'', 30 September 2013. Accessed: 21 September 2014.[China Southern's A380 problems may not be solved by possible Air China partnership]
", CAPA: Centre for Aviation, 2 April 2013. Accessed: 21 September 2014.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines
Volga-Dnepr Airlines, LLC (russian: ООО «Авиакомпания «Волга-Днепр») is an airline based in Ulyanovsk, Russia. It specializes in providing air charter services by operating a unique fleet of twelve Antonov An-124 Rusl ...
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing for the purchase of 20 more 747-8Fs at the 2015 Paris Air Show. This acquisition was finalized at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow.
On October 27, 2016, UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines is a major American cargo airline based in Louisville, Kentucky. The second-largest cargo airline worldwide ( in terms of freight volume flown), UPS Airlines flies to 815 destinations worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of UPS (Unit ...
announced an order for 14 747-8Fs with options for an additional 14. The 14 options were then converted to official orders on February 1, 2018. Deliveries are scheduled from 2017 through 2022. On September 7, 2017, it was reported that Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines ( Turkish: ''Türk Hava Yolları'') is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey. , it operates scheduled services to 340 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, making it the largest mainline carrier in the w ...
is in negotiations with Boeing for purchasing 8 747-8Is to strengthen its widebody fleet.
In 2019, list-price unit cost of a 747-8I was US$
The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
418.4M and a 747-8F US$419.2M. By early 2019, the backlog and production rates were sufficient to sustain production until late 2022.
On July 2, 2020, media reports stated that Boeing intends to end 747 production in 2022 after the 16 outstanding orders are built and delivered. The demand for four-engine airliners has been flat for several years, with most orders going to the freighter version. On January 12, 2021, Atlas Air
Atlas Air, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. Atlas Air is the world's largest operator of the Boei ...
ordered four additional 747-8Fs. These are to be the final four 747-8s built. The final airplane, the 1,574th produced from the 747 family, was rolled out of the Everett plant on December 6, 2022.
Design
The 747-8 is a development of the Boeing 747 that takes advantage of improvements in technology and aerodynamics. The two 747-8 variants feature a fuselage stretch of over the , bringing the total length to . The 747-8 is the world's longest currently-operational passenger airliner
An airliner is a type of aircraft for transporting passengers and air cargo. Such aircraft are most often operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an ...
, surpassing the Airbus A340-600
The Airbus A340 is a long-range, wide-body passenger airliner that was developed and produced by Airbus.
In the mid-1970s, Airbus conceived several derivatives of the A300, its first airliner, and developed the A340 quadjet in parallel wi ...
by .["Boeing 747-8I completes first flight"](_blank)
''Flight International'', March 20, 2011
(archived copy)
Quote: "At 76.3m (250ft), the −8i is the longest ever built in commercial aviation history..."[ With a ]maximum take-off weight
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) or maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of an aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot is allowed to attempt to takeoff, take off, due to structural or other limits. The a ...
of , the 747-8 is the heaviest aircraft, commercial or military, manufactured in the U.S.[Molnar, Matt]
"Boeing's Biggest Bird Takes to the Skies"
. Popular Mechanics, February 9, 2010.
Compared to the preceding , the wing design was overhauled. The sweep
Sweep or swept may refer to:
Cleaning
* Sweep, the action of using a brush to clean
* Chimney sweep, a worker who clears ash and soot from chimneys
* Street sweeper, a person's occupation, or a machine that cleans streets
* Swept quartz, a cleani ...
and basic structure were retained, avoiding additional costs, but the revised airfoil
An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of an object whose motion through a gas is capable of generating significant lift, such as a wing, a sail, or the blades of propeller, rotor, or turbine.
...
is thicker and deeper. The new wing features single-slotted outboard flaps and double-slotted inboard flaps. The wing's trailing edge and raked tip are made of carbon-fiber
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...
composites. The increased wingspan makes the 747-8 a Category F size airplane rather than Category E size, similar to the Airbus A380.[Common Agreement Document of the A380 Airport Compatibility Group Version 2.1]
, p. 8, ''European Civil Aviation Conference
The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) or Conférence Européenne de l'Aviation Civile (CEAC) is an intergovernmental organization which was established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Council of Europe. It is ...
'', December 2002. Retrieved: 29 September 2012.
Raked wingtips
Wingtip devices are intended to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft by reducing drag (physics), drag. Although there are several types of wing tip devices which function in different manners, their intended effect is always to redu ...
, similar to the ones used on the 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 787 aircraft, are used on the 747-8 instead of winglets
Wingtip devices are intended to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft by reducing drag. Although there are several types of wing tip devices which function in different manners, their intended effect is always to reduce an aircraft' ...
used on the . These wingtip structures help reduce the wingtip vortices
Wingtip vortices are circular patterns of rotating air left behind a wing as it generates lift.Clancy, L.J., ''Aerodynamics'', section 5.14 One wingtip vortex trails from the tip of each wing. Wingtip vortices are sometimes named ''trailing'' ...
at the lateral edges of the wings, decreasing wake turbulence
Wake turbulence is a disturbance in the atmosphere that forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air. It includes variety of elements, the most significant of which are wingtip vortices and jetwash. Jetwash refers to the rapidly moving g ...
and drag and thereby improving fuel efficiency. Another effort to increase efficiency (through weight savings) was the introduction of fly-by-wire technology for the majority of the lateral controls.["Boeing Rethinks 747-8 Outsourcing"]
''Aviation Week'', April 11, 2008.
The wing of the passenger version holds of jet fuel, and that of the cargo aircraft . Compared to the 747-400 and an intermediate 747 Advanced concept, the extra fuel capacity in the redesigned wing allowed Boeing to avoid adding costly new tanks to the horizontal tail. The 747-8's vertical tail
A vertical stabilizer or tail fin is the static part of the vertical tail of an aircraft. The term is commonly applied to the assembly of both this fixed surface and one or more movable rudders hinged to it. Their role is to provide control, sta ...
unit is largely unchanged, with a height of .
The General Electric GEnx
The General Electric GEnx ("General Electric Next-generation") is an advanced dual rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine in production by GE Aviation for the Boeing 787 and 747-8. The GEnx is intended to succeed the CF6 in GE's pr ...
is the only engine available for the . Unlike the GEnx introduced on the 787, The 747 engine variant provides bleed air
Bleed air is compressed air taken from the compressor stage of a gas turbine upstream of its fuel-burning sections. Automatic air supply and cabin pressure controller (ASCPCs) valves bleed air from high or low stage engine compressor sections. Low ...
and features a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing.
Variants
747-8 Freighter
The 747-400 and earlier versions had proven to be a very popular freighter, carrying around half of the world's air freight.[Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World's Best Freighters]
" Boeing. To maintain this position, Boeing designed a freight variant of the , named the ''747-8 Freighter'' or 747-8F. The company launched the freighter version on November 14, 2005.["Boeing Launches New 747-8 Family"]
. Boeing, November 14, 2005. The 747-8F is the initial model to enter service. As on the 747-400F, the upper deck is shorter than passenger models; the stretch is just before and just aft of the wing. The 747-8 Freighter was designed with a maximum take-off weight
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) or maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of an aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot is allowed to attempt to takeoff, take off, due to structural or other limits. The a ...
with a payload
Payload is the object or the entity which is being carried by an aircraft or launch vehicle. Sometimes payload also refers to the carrying capacity of an aircraft or launch vehicle, usually measured in terms of weight. Depending on the nature of ...
capability of and a range of .[Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter]
Boeing. Four extra pallet spaces were created on the main deck, with either two extra containers
A container is any receptacle or enclosure for holding a product used in storage, packaging, and transportation, including shipping.
Things kept inside of a container are protected on several sides by being inside of its structure. The term ...
and two extra pallet
A pallet (also called a skid) is a flat transport structure, which supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, a pallet jack, a front loader, a jacking device, or an erect crane. A pallet is the structural foundat ...
s, or three extra pallets, on the lower deck. The 747-8F is expected to have a 16% lower ton-mile operating cost than the 747-400F and offer a slightly greater range.
Cargolux
Cargolux, legally ''Cargolux Airlines International S.A.'', is a Luxembourgian flag carrier cargo airline with its headquarters and hub at Luxembourg Airport. With a global network, it is one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe ...
and Nippon Cargo Airlines
, or NCA, is a cargo airline with its head office on the property of Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, outside Tokyo. It operates scheduled cargo services in Asia and to Europe and North America. Its main base is Narita ...
were the first customers for the , placing orders for the freighter variant in November 2005.[ The firm configuration of the aircraft was finalized in October 2006. Major assembly of the aircraft began on August 8, 2008,][ and the aircraft first left Boeing's Everett factory on November 12, 2009. The first aircraft was delivered on October 12, 2011, to Cargolux. At its six-month service mark, Boeing announced that initial 747-8F operators had achieved a 1-percent reduction in fuel burn over projections.
In June 2015, Boeing predicted new orders for the 747-8F based on its projections of a 4.7% annual increase in air cargo demand.
A 747-8F destined for Atlas Air was the final Boeing 747 built.]
747-8 Intercontinental
The passenger version, named ''747-8 Intercontinental'' or 747-8I was formally launched on November 14, 2005, by Boeing. It can carry up to 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration over a range of at Mach 0.855. The 747-8I can carry 51 more passengers and two more freight pallets
A pallet (also called a skid) is a flat transport structure, which supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, a pallet jack, a front loader, a jacking device, or an erect crane. A pallet is the structural foundat ...
with 26% more cargo volume than the .[Boeing 747-8 Family background](_blank)
Boeing. Despite initial plans for a shorter stretch than the freighter model, the two variants were designed with the same length, increasing passenger capacity. New engine technology and aerodynamic
Aerodynamics, from grc, ἀήρ ''aero'' (air) + grc, δυναμική (dynamics), is the study of the motion of air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dyn ...
modifications allow longer range. Boeing has stated that compared to the , the -8I is to be 30% quieter, 16% more fuel-efficient, and have 13% lower seat-mile costs with nearly the same cost per trip. Boeing states that the 747-8I is the world's fastest commercial jet.
For the , Boeing proposed some changes to the interior layout of the aircraft. The -8I's upper deck is lengthened compared to the . Most noticeable are the curved stairway to the upper deck and a more spacious main passenger entrance. The 747-8's main cabin uses an interior similar to that of the 787. 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
777 may refer to:
* 777 (number), a number
* AD 777, a year of the Julian calendar
* 777 BC, a year in the 8th century BC
* Boeing 777, a commercial jet airliner
:* Boeing 777X, the newer generation of the Boeing 777.
Art and entertainment Alb ...
. The windows are also of similar size to the type used on the 777, which are 8% larger than those on the current 747-400s. The 747-8 features a new solid-state
Solid state, or solid matter, is one of the four fundamental states of matter.
Solid state may also refer to:
Electronics
* Solid-state electronics, circuits built of solid materials
* Solid state ionics, study of ionic conductors and their use ...
light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (cor ...
(LED) lighting system, which can create mood lighting.[Wallace, James]
"Aerospace Notebook: Take a sneak peek inside a 747-8"
. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 14, 2005.
During the initial 747-8 marketing phase, Boeing also proposed creating a revenue-generating "SkyLoft" passenger facility in the crown space above the cabin. This facility would include "SkySuites", small individual compartments with sliding doors or curtains, featuring beds, seating, and entertainment or business equipment. A common lounge
Lounge may refer to:
Architecture
* Lounge, the living room of a dwelling
* Lounge, a public waiting area in a hotel's lobby
* Lounge, a style of commercial alcohol- bar
* Airport lounge, or train lounge (e.g., AMTRAK's Acela Lounge), a premium ...
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
Economy class, also called third class, coach class, steerage, or to distinguish it from the slightly more expensive premium economy class, standard economy class or budget economy class, is the lowest travel class of seating in air travel, rail ...
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. Outfitting the crown space for sleeping remains an option on VIP
A very important person or personage (VIP or V.I.P.) is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence or importance. The term was not common until sometime after World War 2 by RAF pilots.
Examples incl ...
aircraft, and the first 747-8 BBJ with AeroLoft was produced in 2012.
The first order for the 747-8 Intercontinental was placed by an undisclosed VIP customer in May 2006. Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (), commonly shortened to Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it is the second- largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried. Lufthansa is one of the five founding m ...
became the first airline to order the 747-8 Intercontinental on December 6, 2006. In December 2009, Korean Air announced the order of five 747-8Is.["Boeing, Korean Air Announce Order for New 747-8 Intercontinental"]
. Boeing, December 4, 2009.
Air Transport Intelligence news via FlightGlobal.com, December 4, 2009. Boeing stated firm configuration for the −8 was reached in November 2007.
Major assembly of the first 747-8 Intercontinental began on May 8, 2010. Assembly of first 747-8I was completed in February 2011, before being unveiled at a rollout ceremony in Everett, Washington, on February 13, 2011. At the time, deliveries were planned to begin in late 2011.[
Following gauntlet ground testing] the 747-8 Intercontinental's first flight occurred on March 20, 2011, from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The second 747-8I first flew the following month. After the flight test program the 747-8I was FAA certified on December 14, 2011. At that time, −8I deliveries were planned to begin in early 2012.
During development testing, aeroelastic flutter
Aeroelasticity is the branch of physics and engineering studying the interactions between the inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces occurring while an elastic body is exposed to a fluid flow. The study of aeroelasticity may be broadly classif ...
was observed during a test that measured how the aircraft performed if its wing-to-strut join fitting fails at the same time the fuel tanks in the horizontal stabilizer were filled at over 15% of their capacity. To meet FAA regulations, Boeing reported in January 2012 that the 747-8's fuel tanks in the horizontal stabilizers would be closed off to prevent their use until the flutter condition can be resolved;[ this reduced range by .][ On December 18, 2013, Boeing announced that a series of new performance packages will allow for the reactivation of the tail fuel tanks by early 2014. Earlier 747-8s can also be retrofitted with them.]
The first 747-8 Intercontinental was delivered to a VIP customer on February 28, 2012. It was to be outfitted with a VIP interior before beginning service in 2014.["Boeing Delivers First 747-8 Intercontinental VIP Airplane"](_blank)
. Boeing, February 28, 2012. The first 747-8I was delivered in May and began commercial service on June 1, 2012, with Lufthansa.
U.S. Presidential aircraft
In 2007, the United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...
was seeking to upgrade Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control designated call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. In common parlance, the term is used to denote U.S. Air Force aircraft modified and used ...
by replacing the VC-25A
The Boeing VC-25 is a military version of the Boeing 747 airliner, modified for presidential transport and commonly operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) as '' Air Force One'', the call sign of any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the ...
(two heavily modified Boeing 747-200Bs acquired in the late 1980s). In 2009, Boeing was reported to be exploring a 747-8 proposal, along with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, ...
variant. In January 2015, the Air Force announced the selection of the to replace the aging VC-25A for presidential transport. U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James
Deborah Roche Lee James (born November 25, 1958) served as the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force. She is the second woman, after Sheila Widnall (1993–1997), to ever hold this position.
James was confirmed as 23rd Secretary of the Air Force on De ...
said, "The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States hat
A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
when fully missionized meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission..." In July 2016, Boeing received a second contract for pre-engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) risk-reduction to address "system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, the electrical and power system and sustainment and maintenance approaches."
On August 1, 2017, ''Defense One'' reported that to pay less for the replacement program, the U.S. Air Force purchased two undelivered 747-8Is ordered by a bankrupt Russian firm (Transaero
Transaero (russian: Трансаэро), officially ''OJSC Transaero Airlines'' (russian: ОАО «АК „ТРАНСАЭРО“», Открытое акционерное общество «Авиационная компания „ТРАНС ...
); the aircraft had been stored in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert ( ; mov, Hayikwiir Mat'aar; es, Desierto de Mojave) is a desert in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Southwestern United States. It is named for the indigenous Mojave people. It is located primarily in ...
to prevent corrosion. Boeing
The Boeing Company () is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product ...
and the Air Force will retrofit these aircraft with telecommunications and advanced security equipment for the required security level needed by presidential aircraft.
On February 27, 2018, the White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. ...
announced a fixed-price contract worth $3.9 billion for the development of two new 747-8I-based VC-25B aircraft to replace the aging VC-25A aircraft.
In March 2020, modifications started at Boeing's San Antonio, Texas
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
facility, including lower lobe doors and internal airstair
An airstair is a set of steps built into an aircraft so that passengers may board and alight the aircraft. The stairs are often built into a clamshell-style door on the aircraft. Airstairs eliminate the need for passengers to use a mobile st ...
s, to be delivered by December 2024.
Operators
In July 2018, there were 110 Boeing 747-8 aircraft in airline service with Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (), commonly shortened to Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it is the second- largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried. Lufthansa is one of the five founding m ...
(19), Korean Air
Korean Air Co., Ltd. (), operating as Korean Air (Korean Air Lines before 1984), is the flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline based on fleet size, international destinations and international flights.
The present-day Korean Air ...
(17), Cargolux
Cargolux, legally ''Cargolux Airlines International S.A.'', is a Luxembourgian flag carrier cargo airline with its headquarters and hub at Luxembourg Airport. With a global network, it is one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe ...
(14), Cathay Pacific Cargo (14), AirBridgeCargo Airlines
AirBridgeCargo Airlines, LLC (Russian: ООО Авиакомпания «ЭйрБриджКарго»), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, is the largest Russian cargo airline with its head office in Moscow. It operates scheduled cargo services on route ...
(11), UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines is a major American cargo airline based in Louisville, Kentucky. The second-largest cargo airline worldwide ( in terms of freight volume flown), UPS Airlines flies to 815 destinations worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of UPS (Unit ...
(7), Polar Air Cargo
Polar Air Cargo Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is a cargo airline based in Purchase, New York, United States. It operates scheduled all-cargo services to North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Its main b ...
(7), Air China
Air China Limited () is the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China and one of the "Big Three" mainland Chinese airlines (alongside China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines). Air China's headquarters are in Shunyi District, ...
(7), Silk Way West Airlines
Silk Way West Airlines is an Azerbaijani cargo airline with its head office and main operating base at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan. It is a subsidiary of the Silk Way Group along with sister airline, Silk Way A ...
(5), Atlas Air
Atlas Air, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. Atlas Air is the world's largest operator of the Boei ...
(3), Qatar Airways Cargo
Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. ( ar, القطرية, ''al-Qaṭariya''), operating as Qatar Airways, is the state-owned flag carrier airline of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, the airline operates a hub-and-spoke networ ...
(2), Nippon Cargo Airlines
, or NCA, is a cargo airline with its head office on the property of Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, outside Tokyo. It operates scheduled cargo services in Asia and to Europe and North America. Its main base is Narita ...
(1), and CargoLogicAir
CargoLogicAir, Ltd. (CLA) was a British cargo airline with its headquarters at London Heathrow Airport. The airline's fleet of Boeing 747 freight aircraft operated scheduled and chartered freight services on routes between the UK, Asia, Africa ...
(1). Previous operators include Global Supply Systems, a contractor of British Airways
British Airways (BA) is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a populati ...
, as well as Saudia Cargo
Saudia Cargo is a Saudi Arabian airfreight flag carrier established in 2007 with headquarters in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
History
A subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines (commonly known as Saudia), the company was established as par ...
.
Boeing 747-8I aircraft in special VIP configuration for state leaders have also been ordered. The Qatar Amiri Flight
Qatar Amiri Flight is a VIP airline owned and operated by the government of Qatar. It operates worldwide charters on demand and caters exclusively to the royal family of Qatar and other VIP government staff. The vast majority of its fleet is paint ...
received three VIP Boeing 747-8Is. The State of Kuwait
Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the nort ...
received one VIP in 2012. The Royal Flight of Oman
The Royal Flight of Oman (RFO) is the VIP air transport capability embedded within the Sultan of Oman's Royal Household.the Royal Flight is a non-military organisation and part of the Diwan of Royal Court Affairs; it is not part of the Roya ...
received one VIP in 2012. The Brunei
Brunei ( , ), formally Brunei Darussalam ( ms, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , ), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its South China Sea coast, it is completely sur ...
Government received a VIP 747-8I in 2016. The Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to ...
Government received one VIP 747-8I in 2017. Worldwide Aircraft Holding operated one VIP 747-8 that was sold to the Government of Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
. One VIP 747-8I was received by the government of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the A ...
, and is used by Crown Prince
A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wif ...
Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud ( ar, محمد بن سلمان آل سعود, translit=Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Su‘ūd; born 31 August 1985), colloquially known by his initials MBS or MbS, is Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. H ...
. On September 10, 2021, it was announced that the Egyptian Government had acquired a 747-8I for use as a VIP transport aircraft; the airframe, which had originally been manufactured for Lufthansa as D-ABYE, had not been accepted by the airline and spent several years in storage in the Mojave Desert as N828BA before being re-registered as SU-EGY.
The final 747, a 747-8F destined for Atlas Air, was rolled out on December 6, 2022, marking the end to over 50 years of 747 production.
Orders and deliveries
Boeing 747-8 orders and deliveries (cumulative, by year):
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DateFormat= yyyy
Period = from:0 till:155
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color:skyblue width:28
bar:2005 from:start till:18 text:18 align:center
bar:2006 from:start till:59 text:59 align:center
bar:2007 from:start till:79 text:79 align:center
bar:2008 from:start till:81 text:81 align:center
bar:2009 from:start till:86 text:86 align:center
bar:2010 from:start till:87 text:87 align:center
bar:2011 from:9 till:92 text:92 align:center
bar:2012 from:40 till:99 text:99 align:center
bar:2013 from:64 till:116 text:116 align:center
bar:2014 from:83 till:118 text:118 align:center
bar:2015 from:101 till:120 text:120 align:center
bar:2016 from:110 till:138 text:138 align:center
bar:2017 from:124 till:136 text:136 align:center
bar:2018 from:130 till:154 text:154 align:center
bar:2019 from:137 till:154 text:154 align:center
bar:2020 from:142 till:154 text:154 align:center
bar:2021 from:143 till:155 text:155 align:center
bar:2022 from:150 till:155 text:155 align:center
color:green width:28–
bar:2011 from:start till:9 text:9 align:center
bar:2012 from:start till:40 text:40 align:center
bar:2013 from:start till:64 text:64 align:center
bar:2014 from:start till:83 text:83 align:center
bar:2015 from:start till:101 text:101 align:center
bar:2016 from:start till:110 text:110 align:center
bar:2017 from:start till:124 text:124 align:center
bar:2018 from:start till:130 text:130 align:center
bar:2019 from:start till:137 text:137 align:center
bar:2020 from:start till:142 text:142 align:center
bar:2021 from:start till:149 text:149 align:center
bar:2022 from:start till:155 text:155 align:center
Data as of December 2022
Incidents
On September 11, 2012, an AirBridgeCargo
AirBridgeCargo Airlines, LLC (Russian: ООО Авиакомпания «ЭйрБриджКарго»), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, is the largest Russian cargo airline with its head office in Moscow. It operates scheduled cargo services on route ...
747-8F experienced a major engine malfunction that spread a significant amount of metallic debris on the runway. Like in a similar event with the GEnx Engine during pre-flight taxi tests on a Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, ...
, the low-pressure turbine shaft separated and shifted backwards, damaging the low pressure turbine blades and vanes. The NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations to the FAA to require ultrasonic scans for midshaft fractures before use of GEnx engines and require repetitive on-wing inspections of the engine to detect cracks.
On July 31, 2013, an AirBridgeCargo 747-8F experienced core engine icing that caused engine malfunctions and damage to three engines near Chengdu, China
Chengdu (, ; simplified Chinese: 成都; pinyin: ''Chéngdū''; Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: ), alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese province ...
, while en route to Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
; the aircraft landed safely at its destination. Boeing and General Electric are working on software changes to mitigate the effects of core engine icing.
Specifications
See also
References
;Footnotes
;Citations
External links
Boeing 747-8 on Boeing.com
Boeing 747-8, The Shape of the Future on NewAirplane.com
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{{Boeing model numbers
Boeing 747
2000s United States airliners
2000s United States cargo aircraft
Quadjets
Aircraft first flown in 2010
Double-deck aircraft