747-8 makes first flight.

[Nigelinoz]

Boeing's new 747-8 jumbo makes maiden flight

US aerospace giant Boeing's newest and biggest jumbo jet, the 747-8 Intercontinental, made its maiden flight Sunday, watched closely by aviation fans and European rival Airbus.
The new version of the classic double-decker 747 took off into nearly cloudless skies at 9:58 am (16:58 GMT) from the Paine Field airport near Boeing's Seattle headquarters, watched by thousands of workers and guests.
The red, white and orange-liveried aircraft landed just over four hours later having been taken through its paces over Washington state, on the northwest Pacific coast.

 

[lovestotravel]

Damn - I knew there was something I was meant to wake up for at 3am this morning

I was also wondering why JFS was on the nose gear doors!

Among those watching the maiden flight was Joe Sutter, the chief engineer of the original 747.
In a tribute to Sutter -- celebrating his 90th birthday on Monday -- the initials "JFS" were painted on the landing gear bay door of the first 747-8 Intercontinental.
"It makes me feel real good. The fellas are telling me I'm part of the team," he said.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Unfortunately unless Boeing can get some more orders on the book for the 748 then I don't think it matters whether JoeSutter is 'part of the team" or not,Boeing has been plagued with delivery delays and design problems for both the 748 and 787 and I think that has impacted
on the confidence that airlines have in the Boeing company.
I hope the 748 sells well because I still think that the 747 design is one of the best ,guess we will just have to wait and see.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[nlagalle]

Just had a look on the wires at work and there are some great shots of it..

 

[Kendall Roy]

Long live the queen of the skies!

 

[lovestotravel]

Unfortunately unless Boeing can get some more orders on the book for the 748 then I don't think it matters whether JoeSutter is 'part of the team" or not,Boeing has been plagued with delivery delays and design problems for both the 748 and 787 and I think that has impacted
on the confidence that airlines have in the Boeing company.
I hope the 748 sells well because I still think that the 747 design is one of the best ,guess we will just have to wait and see.
Cheers
N'oz

I think there is over 100 orders so far which is pretty good considering the minimal costs for this plane when compared to the A380.

240 A380 orders...

 

[Nigelinoz]

I think there is over 100 orders so far which is pretty good considering the minimal costs for this plane when compared to the A380.

240 A380 orders...

I was referring to orders for the passenger version,as far as I know as of February there were only 38 orders for the passenger 747-8,the rest is for the freighter.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[lovestotravel]

I was referring to orders for the passenger version,as far as I know as of February there were only 38 orders for the passenger 747-8,the rest is for the freighter.
Cheers
N'oz

Doesn't matter really, an order is an order! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

I think the 747-8 fills a great gap between the 777-300ER and the A380.

Like you I do hope she sells a little better than currently!

 

[MatF]

Looks great I love the 747. Growing up, it was the ultimate symbol of air travel for me.

"But Airbus sees the new Boeing plane as a straight competitor. Airbus commercial director John Leahy didn't conceal his feelings when Air China announced earlier this month it was going for the A-380 over the 747-8.

"That was very disappointing.. We did think we had a better offer with the A380 at that particular juncture. You win some, you lose some," he told the Financial Times."


Way to proof read, SMH.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Doesn't matter really, an order is an order! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

I think the 747-8 fills a great gap between the 777-300ER and the A380.

Like you I do hope she sells a little better than currently!

The interesting thing is that Boeing have always said that the 747-8 is not designed to compete with the A380,I don't know why,I think they want the 787 to compete with the A380 based on the passenger comfort aspect,it will be interesting though to see whether an airline like QF orders any,I actually doubt it because I think they want to use A380's for longhaul and a combination of A330's, 737, and 787's for short/medium haul.
Maybe I'm wrong though,I reckon the 748 would look great with a roo on the tail (I accept that it doesn't look that much different to an existing 74 though)
Cheers
N'oz

 

[samh004]

Can someone explain to me how the 744 (with decreased range) can get to DFW, while the A380 cannot? If QF were serious about this route I’d imagine they’d want a 748 for the future, unless the A380 can make it?

 

[lovestotravel]

Can someone explain to me how the 744 (with decreased range) can get to DFW, while the A380 cannot? If QF were serious about this route I’d imagine they’d want a 748 for the future, unless the A380 can make it?

QF are not really serious about anything except that with an orange tail!!! :shock:

 

[samh004]

QF are not really serious about anything except that with an orange tail!!! :shock:

That’s not really the answer I was looking for

 

[straitman]

Boeing has been plagued with delivery delays and design problems for both the 748 and 787 and I think that has impacted on the confidence that airlines have in the Boeing company.

Cheers
N'oz

Have their problems and delays really been any worse than those is Airbus?




Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[harvyk]

It's great to see the 747-8 taking to the sky...
Now all we need to see is some more orders for them...

 

[NM]

Can someone explain to me how the 744 (with decreased range) can get to DFW, while the A380 cannot? If QF were serious about this route I’d imagine they’d want a 748 for the future, unless the A380 can make it?

Its not just a matter of range. There are a whole swag of factors that come into play when determining the viability of a mission. Expected loads, including variations across different cabins; freight carriage opportunities; fleet utilisation and availability; operating costs etc

 

[Dee Thom]

I think they want to use A380's for longhaul and a combination of A330's, 737, and 787's for short/medium haul.

QF ordered the787's for longhaul opp's ex East coast to Europe etc., specifically for their wonderful Star tailed silver tubes, whilst they concentrate on A380/A330 craft, they'll then replace the A330's with 787's after JQ receives their requirements.

Cheers Dee

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Looks great I love the 747. Growing up, it was the ultimate symbol of air travel for me.

And in "Billionaire" talk, owning one is a symbol too.

Private Airbus A380 To Get A Gold Paint Job

If l had a choice, l would go the 747-8 over the A380. (Keep dreaming Oneworldplus2...)

 

[ric_melb]

Loved seeing the initial flight of the 747-8. To me it looked magnificent.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Memo Mr Joyce: place an order for a fleet of 747-8s, please. There are lots of loyal QF flyers who simply don't like Scarebus aircraft.