Bigger is beautiful.
That’s what the Boeing Co. thinks about its 747-8 jumbo jet, which is 18 feet longer than its predecessor.
The 747-8 passenger plane “has the incomparable experience of a 747 … but flies farther, carries more people,” said Elizabeth Lund, deputy general manager o
f the program.
Boeing will unveil its newest jumbo to the world during a ceremony today in Everett. The event will be Webcast live on Boeing’s Web site.
Boeing believes bigger should come with its benefits. The company has increased the cargo volume on its new 747-8 passenger plane by 26 percent compared to the 747-400, the previous version.
Regardless of its larger size, the new jet will burn about 13 percent less fuel than its predecessor.
“We made it new and we made it better,” Lund said.
What hasn’t gotten bigger with Boeing’s 747-8 passenger plane, dubbed the Intercontinental: the company’s backlog.
Despite the improvements, the 747-8 passenger plane has won just 33 orders. Aside from eight orders for VIP jets, the 747-8 Intercontinental has only two airline customers: Germany’s Lufthansa Airlines and Korean Air.
But Lund remains optimistic about the new passenger plane’s future.
“We really do believe this airplane is going to sell and it’s going to sell well,” Lund said.
Boeing’s first 747-8 passenger plane is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter. The company will deliver the freighter version of the 747-8 before the passenger plane.
Boeing plans to deliver the freighter mid-2011. The freighter, which is in flight testing, has 74 orders.
“It’s a big year for us on this airplane,” Lund said.
747-8 rollout
See the unveiling of the Boeing Co.’s 747-8 Intercontinental, the newest version of the company’s biggest jet.
When: 11 a.m. today
Online: www.newairplane.com/747/incredible/
Read more: www.heraldnet.com/aerospaceblog
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