Boeing unveils new, bigger 747-8 jet to cool response

The Telegraph ^ | 2/13/2011 | Roland Gribben

[bruinbirdman]

Boeing rolled out a new bigger jumbo jet on Sunday almost 42 years to the day since the 747 changed the face of the travel industry.

The 747-8 carries 467 passengers, 51 more than the current 747 range, burns less fuel, has new wings, tail and engines, is more comfortable and is 19 feet longer, says Boeing.

Airlines have given a cool reception to the new plane with Boeing so far picking up only 33 orders from two airlines, Lufthansa and Korean Air Lines.

The first plane off the production line will go to a VIP customer later this year. Boeing is also hoping the new jumbo will replace the Air Force One fleet of 747s used by American presidents to provide a boost for the order book.

The latest member of the jumbo family represents Boeing's challenge to the Airbus A380, the super jumbo capable of carrying 525 passengers.

Production of the 747-8 has been held up by the problems affecting the more technologically-

[Berlin_Freeper]

It looks like the perfect airliner.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Versus the Airbus, I think the Boeing has the advantage that no commercial computerized Boeing craft has been documented to go BSOD over the ocean, not once. The much newer Airbus has done this, I believe, twice.

[maddog55]

Looks to me like they cram the 51 extra people into 19’ of coach class.

[saganite]

What this excerpt doesn’t say is that there are 74 orders for the freight version. As a freighter it’s likely to far outsell the pax version.

[tanknetter]

Looks to me like they cram the 51 extra people into 19’ of coach class.

The upper deck area is stretched as well.

[Yo-Yo]

Actually, the aircraft rolled out in a burnt orange livery:

[Mind-numbed Robot]

The first plane off the production line will go to a VIP customer later this year.

Can we say, "Arab Sheik"?

Years ago I was at a plant in Waco, TX, it was Chrysler Technologies then, and they were finishing out the interior of a new 747 for an Arab sheik. The carpet had real gold and silver threads, the restroom had Waterford crystal basins and solid gold fixtures. The interior cost more than the plane.

[True Republican Patriot]

The First off is going to a VIP! Probably an Arab Shiek!
That must be the order that was put in for Brack Hussein’s New Bird for when he leaves his Dictatorship in 2012!

[IncPen]

The plane is great, but the Ninja-violinists really make the sale for me...

[Yo-Yo]

Looks to me like they cram the 51 extra people into 19’ of coach class.

Those are maximum certified passenger numbers. The actual number of pax on an aircraft is determined solely by the airline buying it.

For example:

Lufthansa's 747-8Is to seat just 386 passengers

Sometimes airlines add more amenities to their First and Business class cabins, lowering passenger count but hopefully raising total revenues per flight.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

... but the Ninja-violinists really make the sale for me... ...

Those are fiddlers. They go with the burnt orange and white colors, the colors of the University of Texas.

[ArrogantBustard]

Those are fiddlers. They go with the burnt orange and white colors, the colors of the University of Texas.

If you wanna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band ...

[dalereed]

“BSOD”

what the hell is that?

[SW6906]

"What this excerpt doesn’t say is that there are 74 orders for the freight version. As a freighter it’s likely to far outsell the pax version."

And they scarcely mention that VIP versions have been sold too. I'm not tellin' how many.........

[saganite]

C’mon! How many? ;^)

I did note that the first delivery was to a private party. I’m guessing some Middle East potentate.

[SW6906]

Like the article says, there is the hope that our potentate purchases some.

[Celtic Conservative]

"blue screen of death" the dreaded blue screen that appears when a windows product slips into a self induced coma. The OP (original poster) used that term to describe a total shutdown of the airbus' flight software, which as he says has done so twice.

CC

[Mind-numbed Robot]

If you wanna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band ...

Great addition!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Blue Screen Of Death. Main control system goes ape-poop haywire, no backup. Was an interesting experience for the passengers (not unlike being shaken and stirred like a martini).