-- 787 technologies to increase passenger and freighter capabilities, improve fuel efficiency, reduce noise and emissions, provide unmatched operating economics
Posted on 11/14/2005 11:28:55 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2005 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today officially launched the new Boeing 747-8 program, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter airplane.
Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, has ordered 10 747-8 Freighters and will take delivery of the first 747-8F in third-quarter 2009. It also holds purchase rights for 10 additional airplanes. Cargolux currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 13 747-400 freighters.
Nippon Cargo Airlines, based in Japan, has ordered eight 747-8 Freighters and will receive its first airplane in fourth-quarter 2009. The airline also acquired options for six additional airplanes. Nippon Cargo currently operates 13 747 freighters and has six more 747-400Fs on order.
Firm orders from the two launch customers are valued at approximately $5 billion at list prices.
"We are thrilled to have Cargolux and Nippon Cargo choose the new 747-8 and become the launch customers for this next generation of the proud and valuable 747 airplane family," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 747-8 will use the technologies of the 787 Dreamliner to significantly increase the passenger and freighter capabilities of the 747 and offer greater fuel efficiency, improved operating economics, and be more friendly to the environment with reduced noise and emissions."
Both versions of the new 747 will feature GE's 787-technology GEnx engines, meet Stage 4 and QC2 noise requirements, have reduced emissions, offer lower trip costs and have an upgraded flight deck and an improved wing.
"The 747-8 Freighter will be very important in allowing Nippon Cargo to take advantage of the high expected cargo market growth in Asia," said Takuro Uchiyama, president and CEO, Nippon Cargo Airlines. "In addition, the 747-8 Freighter will be the world's most efficient cargo airplane, which is a key attribute with today's high cost of fuel."
Ulrich Ogiermann, president and CEO, Cargolux Airlines, said, "The Boeing 747-400 Freighter has been a cornerstone of our success, and I have high expectations that the 747-8 Freighter will build on that success and expand our capabilities worldwide. The increased payload capacity and much improved efficiency will allow us to continue our expansion and maximize our profitability. Equally important to us and the communities where we operate is the new standard the 747-8 Freighter will set in noise reduction."
The 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane will be stretched 3.6 m (11.7 ft) compared to the 747-400 to accommodate 34 additional seats in a typical three-class configuration. The only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat category, it will have a range of 14,815 km (8,000 nmi) and will feature the new Boeing Signature Interior.
The Intercontinental will be quieter, produce fewer emissions, and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It will offer 21 percent more lower-hold revenue cargo volume than the 747-400 and cost about 8 percent less per seat mile to operate. Compared to the A380, it will offer 22 percent lower trip costs.
The 747-8 Freighter will be 5.6 m (18.3 ft) longer than the 747-400 freighter. With a total payload capacity of 140 metric tonnes (154 tons), including tare weight, the 747-8F provides 16 percent more cargo revenue volume than the -400. The additional 117m³ (4,124 ft³) from the longer fuselage offers space for four additional main-deck pallets, two additional lower-hold pallets and two additional lower-hold containers. Cargo can be loaded and unloaded on the 747-8F using both the nose and side doors for maximum speed and efficiency.
Compared to the A380, the 747-8F will offer 20 percent lower trip costs. In addition, the 747-8F will maintain the operational flexibility of today's 747 freighters, with good profit potential at less-than-full loads.
The 747-8 Freighter complements the existing 747-400 freighter family, which is the air-cargo industry's standard. Both models accommodate 3.1-meter (10-foot) high pallets, providing operators with maximum flexibility.
The 747-8 also fits easily in today's aviation infrastructure, flying into more than 210 airports worldwide without additional, expensive infrastructure changes required.
The 747 freighter family currently constitutes more than half of the world's total freighter capacity. Boeing freighters of all models comprise more than 90 percent of the total worldwide freighter lift.
Boeing forecasts the need for about 900 airplanes -- passengers and freighters -- in the 400-plus-seat segment over the next 20 years. Boeing also forecasts that large widebody freighters (65 metric tons and above in capacity) will comprise 34 percent of the freighter market by 2024.
I currently fly MD-11's for FedEx. We are supposed to get the A380 in 2008. There is nothing we fly that Fred Smith didn't get a deep discount on. If BA is trying to get a discount even deeper than what has already been offered than they are expecting to get aircraft for free. Meanwhile, the cargo ramps of the world are absolutely teeming with 747 variants. All the equipment is in place for them. Everyone is used to dealing with them. Pilots are already trained to fly them. The list goes on.
And then there's this big airbus beast that is running late, overweight and over budget and looking for a place to wedge its way into the equation. Its future may be very interesting.
Do you ever get the feeling that Boeing had all these ideas/plans for these new 747 variants in house, but "tricked" Airbus into developing their whale, which may well bankrupt them..
What Are Blended Winglets? fyi
• Winglets are a more efficient way of introducing effective span—an aerodynamic method to attain lower drag and improved take-off performance.
• Winglets increase effective wingspan for lower induced drag and higher lifting efficiency (higher L/D).
• Traditional winglets are attached at sharp angles.
• By blending the winglet to the wing, the wingtip vortex and the resulting drag are reduced and performance is improved.
The wing almost looks more like a swept wing although not the B-47 type. It looks more than just a blended wing or raked winglet as on the 737.
The firm orders from the two companies are worth $5 billion at list prices, although airlines typically negotiate steep discounts...
"This would remove any uncertainty about the 747 line," he said.
Interesting press releases on the day the new SPEEA Engineering contract is to be announced! I wonder what it means?
Yea but it’s still not the A380 – I mean there’s no room in the 747-8 for a stand-up karaoke bar, a second floor shopping mall, an aerobic work-out center or even a piano lounge. ( I hate Airbus sarcasm ).
Great Job Mulally.
Because it shares a lot of commonality with the 747 freighters both Cargolux and NCA already flies, it also means less maintanence costs and easier flight crew training, too.
Interestingly enough, the A380-800F is better suited for UPS and FedEx because both companies primarily specialize in palletized cargo for transport by air, something that the A380-800F is very well-suited for.
Isn't it the one which was designed in Moscow center of Boeing?
Yes.
Ok, so this means the same flight with the new airplane costs 22 percent less than the A380, but if the A380 carries 22+% (not saying thats the case, just speculating) more than this plane, doesn't that even out or even help the A380 beat it on a per pound basis?
I love those blended wingtips. Sure, its just an aesthetic thing for me, but it looks sweet!
Airbus developed the A380 (as well as their other jets) using funds loaned at sweetheart rates from the European governments that are the majority owners of EADS, the parent company of Airbus. These loans do not have to be repaid if the aircraft does not make a profit. Short of a Soviet Union-style collapse of the EU, it is not possible to bankrupt Airbus any more than it is possible to bankrupt the U.S. Postal Service. Note that Boeing has sued Airbus in front of the WTO over these subsidies, which appear to be illegal under international trade agreements.
Thanks for the info, and the clarification..
Boeing just let Airbus slit their throats on their own.
Airbus wanted to be able to brag that they had the biggest commercial jet for passengers in the world. Only problem, its designed for maximum passenger numbers, not efficency. The A380 is a total gas hog. Boeing looked towards the future and believed it was in highly efficient 2 and 4 engine planes that could fly long distances, not just big planes to major hubs, and then getting on smaller planes. Huge waste of time and fuel.
At the A380 premier at the Paris airshow this past year, Chirac was at the podium bragging about how superior Airbus was to Boeing now.
Boeing had a different vision, and while Airbus spent the past couple years whining and bitching about Boeing endlessly, Boeing took the high road and quietly started putting these plans in motion (787 and 777 LR and 747advanced).
Whenever you see a commercial for a major carrier, you'll see them flying a 747. That airplane is considered the pride of many asian carriers fleet.
I'm glad to hear they are going to build the 747advanced. The 747 is the greatest commercial airliner ever built and would be a shame to see it end being built.
Airbus slit their own throats. Good, the guy who runs it is a slimeball.
British Airways might end up being the passenger version launch customer. BA loves the 747 for its international travel routes.
But what might also happen is that airlines like Quantas and Sinapore will dump some of the A380 orders it has for the new 747 as well. They probably negotiated firm orders for A380s and options for more. They could kill the option orders easily and given all the problems Airbus has had trying to get the weight of the A380 down to what they promised the airlines when they signed the contracts, carriers might be able to pull out of the firm order contracts for the A380 a lot easier.
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