Boeing 747-8
The Boeing 747-8 is the latest model of the Boeing 747, officially announced on November 14 2005 to compete with the Airbus A380. Prior to the formal 2005 announcement, it was known publicly as the 747 Advanced.
Background
The 747-8 will use same engine and cockpit technology as the 787. Boeing named the new airliner the 747-8 because of the technology it will share with that aircraft. Before the official launch of the 747-8, Boeing had plans to develop other variants of existing 747 models under the names 747X (Experimental) and 747-400XQLR (Experimental Quiet Long-Range). These designations were dropped in favor of a "747 Advanced" program, which evolved into the 747-8.
Boeing claims that the new design will be quieter, more economical and more environmentally friendly than previous versions of the 747. As a derivative of the already common 747-400, the 747-8 has the economic benefit of similar training and interchangeable parts.
The passenger version (dubbed 747-8 Intercontinental) will be capable of carrying up to 450 passengers in a 3-class configuration over 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) at 0.86 Mach.
British Airways, Japan Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, and Cathay Pacific are viewed as potential 747-8 operators, given their historical links with Boeing and the fact that none of them have purchased the Airbus A380 as of yet. British Airways CEO Willie Walsh has said he is glad the airline has not ordered the A380,[1] while former CEO Rod Eddington has stated that his preferred 747-400 replacement program consisted of 747-8s and 777-300ERs.[2]
On July 27 2005, Cargolux announced its desire to buy a minimum of ten 747-8F Freighters, for delivery in 2009, with options for 10 more. On the launch day itself, Nippon Cargo Airlines ordered eight 747-8Fs. NCA currently operates 13 747 freighters, with six 747-400Fs currently on order.[3]
According to Bloomberg, Boeing is staking its position as the dominant maker of the biggest passenger planes on selling Pakistan International Airlines Corp. and other Asian carriers the first of a longer, more fuel-efficient version of its 747-8 model. After introduction, the range of the base 747-8I was boosted to 8,300nm (15,372 km) from 8,000nm.[4]
Design changes
The 747-8 Intercontinental will be 244 ft/74.3 meters long (stretched 12 ft/3.6 m compared to the baseline 747-400), allowing it to carry 34 more passengers and two more freight pallets. New engine technology and aerodynamic modifications extend range to 8,000 nautical miles (14,803 km), allowing non-stop flights such as Hong Kong – New York or Sydney – Dallas/Fort Worth.
For the time being, the General Electric GEnx, which is one of the two powerplant choices currently offered for the 787, will be the only engine available for the 747-8. However, similar to the GEnx offered on the Airbus A350, the 747 variant will be adapted to provide bleed-air for conventional aircraft systems and feature a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing.
Some use of composites will be made in the 747-8's airframe to reduce weight; however structural changes will mostly be evolutionary rather than revolutionary with respect to the 747-400. The 747-8 will feature an enhanced wing with improved aerodynamics. It will have single-slotted outboard flaps and double-slotted inboard flaps. Raked wingtips, similar to the ones currently on the 777-200LR and 777-300ER models and the 787-8 and 787-9 design, will replace the winglets on the 747-400. These structures help reduce the wingtip vortices at the lateral edges of the wings, decreasing drag and thereby increasing fuel efficiency.
Interior changes
For the 747-8, Boeing has proposed some changes to the interior layout of the aircraft. Most noticeable will be the stairway to the upper deck. On present 747-300 and -400 models, the stairway is straight, narrow, and runs from the galley area located at door 2 (the second door from the front of the aircraft), to the back of the upper deck, on the left hand side. The 747-8 model proposes a sweeping curved stairway which will open onto the door 2 entry lobby, and rise up to the right hand side of the back of the upper deck. The window line will be extended to where the stairway reaches the upper deck, and a further set of windows may be placed overhead.
Further down the aircraft, it has been proposed to put "SkySuites" in the "crown" area (the space above the passenger cabin, currently used for air conditioning ducts and wiring). The wiring and ducts will be moved to the side to create space for these facilities — consequently they will not have windows. The SkySuites will be small individual compartments with sliding doors or curtains, and which may feature beds, seating, and entertainment or business equipment. A common lounge area would also likely be provided. Boeing has 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, which will be sold at a premium price, will sit in regular economy class seats for take off and landing, and move to the crown area during flight.
The main cabin will use a 777-style interior (also known as the Boeing Signature Interior), which was also used for the 747-400ER. The windows will also be of similar size to the type used on the 777 and the 767-400ER, which are 16% larger than on the current 747-400s. The 747-8 will feature a new solid state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system. It will be possible to create various moods in the cabin, from sunrise to sunset, making travel a more comfortable and relaxing experience. At the same time, LED technology offers additional advantages regarding lower maintenance costs and longer intervals between unscheduled repairs.
Freighter
The 747 has proven to be a very popular freighter, carrying roughly half of the world's air freight.[5] In an effort to maintain this dominant position, Boeing has designed a freight variant of the 747-8. Launched by Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines, the 747-8F will be the initial model to see entry into service (EIS). As on the 747-400F, the upper deck is shorter than passenger models; the -8F's fuselage, however, is stretched 5.6 m (18.3 ft) over the 747-400, to a total of 75.3 m (250.2 ft). Therefore, the 747-8F is going to be the world's longest commercial airliner, surpassing the Airbus A340-600. With a 435.5 tonne (960,000 lb) maximum take-off weight, it will have a total payload capability of 140 tonnes (154 tons) with a range of 8,275 km (4,475 nmi).[6] Four extra pallet spaces will be created on the main deck, while the lower deck would be able to hold two extra containers and two extra pallets.
Cargolux, also the 747-400F launch customer, has ordered 10 747-8F freighters with an EIS of 2009; the second launch order was Nippon Cargo Airlines' eight-aircraft purchase.
Orders
| Date | Airline | EIS | Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 747-8I | 747-8F | Options | |||
| November 14 2005 |  Cargolux [1]
|
2009 | 10 | 10 | |
 Nippon Cargo Airlines [2]
|
2009 | 8 | 6 | ||
| May 30, 2006 | Unidentified Customer* | ? | 1 | ||
| July 18, 2006 |  Emirates [3]
|
2010 | 10 | ||
| Sub-totals | 1 | 28 | 16 | ||
| Totals | 29 | ||||
*There is speculation on who the unidentified customer is. Two articles [4] [5] suggest that it is the Qatar Government. It has also been suggested that the unidentified customer may be Saudi Arabian Airlines, but the article quoted [6] does not seem to confirm this.
Potential customers
Many airlines have shown interest in the new 747-8. However there have been no commitments for the passenger model. Cathay Pacific Airways' chief operating officer, Tony Tyler, is quoted as saying his airline was “delighted with the 787’s launch because of what it means for the 747”.[2] Air New Zealand has also expressed interest, with an executive stating that “if Boeing launches the 747-8, we will probably buy it”. Pakistan International Airlines has also shown interest in the 747-8I to replace their eight aging 747-300 aircraft.
On April 26, 2006, a report on Economic Daily News stated that China Airlines intended to sign a deal for 10 747-8 Intercontinentals for US $2.5 billion by the end of June. The next day, China Airlines denied having such an intention, stating that they intend to announce whether they will order the A380 or the 747-8 by the end of the year. China Airlines' intention to operate only three types of aircraft (Boeing 737-800, Airbus A330-300, and Boeing 747-400), however, makes an order for the 747-8 very likely.
Specifications (747-8I & -8F)
 |
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| Measurement | 747-8 Intercontinental | 747-8 Freighter |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 74.2 m (243 ft 6 in) | 76.3 m (250 ft 2 in) |
| Span | 68.5 m (224 ft 9 in) | 68.5 m (224 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 19.4 m (63 ft 8 in) | 19.4 m (63 ft 8 in) |
| Wing area | 524.9 m² (5,650 ft²) | 524.9 m² (5,650 ft²) |
| Weight empty | 276,691 kg (610,000 lb) | 318,422 kg (702,000 lb) |
| Maximum take-off weight | 435,449 kg (960,000 lb) | 435,449 kg (960,000 lb) |
| Cruising speed | .855 Mach | .855 Mach |
| Maximum speed | .92 Mach | .92 Mach |
| Range fully loaded | 15,372 km[4] | 8,275 km |
| Max. fuel capacity | 227,772 L (60,171 U.S. gallons) | 215,280 L (56,871 U.S. gallons) |
| Max. fuel/Range, fully loaded | 15.4 L/km | ? L/km |
| Cargo capacity | 275.6 m³ (8 pallets + 16 LD1s) | 833.3 m³ (? pallets + ? LD1s) |
| Engines (example) | 4 × General Electric GEnx-2B67, 296 kN (66,500 lbf) thrust each | 4 × General Electric GEnx-2B67, 296 kN (66,500 lbf) thrust each |
| Cockpit crew | Two | Two |
| Seating capacity | 450 (24 First class + 85 Business class + 341 Economy class) | — |
Comparison between 747-8 and A380
| 747-8I | 747-8F | A380-800 (for comparison) | A380-800F (for comparison) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 74.2 m | 76.3 m | 73 m | 73 m |
| Height: | 19.4 m | 19.4 m | 24.1 m | 24.1 m |
| Wing span: | 68.5 m | 68.5 m | 79.8 m | 79.8 m |
| Cross section: | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Passengers: | 450 (3-cl) | N/A | 555 (3-cl) | N/A |
| Engine: | GE GEnx | GE GEnx | RR Trent 900 | RR Trent 900 |
| MTOW (t): | 435.449 t | 435.449 t | 560 t | 590 t |
| Empty weight (t): | ? | ? | 276.8 t | 252.2 t |
| Max fuel (l): | 227,772 l | 215,280 l | 310,000 l (352,000 l) | 310,000 l (352,000 l) |
| Cruise speed (M): | 0.85 (0.92 max) | 0.85 (0.92 max) | 0.85 (0.89 max) | 0.85 (0.89 max) |
| Range: | 15,372 km | 8,275 km | 15,000 km | 10,400 km |
References
- ^ "More cost-cutting needed, new chief Walsh tells BA." Osborne, A. The Daily Telegraph. November 15, 2005.
- ^ a b Thomas, G. (2006). "The New 747". Airways. 13 (122): 16–22.
- ^ "Boeing Launches New 747-8 Family." Boeing press release. November 14, 2005.
- ^ a b "ATW Daily News." Thomas, G. Air Transport World. May 15, 2006.
- ^ "Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World's Best Freighters." Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family.
- ^ "Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter." Boeing 747-8I and 747-8F Facts.