Air China became the second airline to recently take delivery of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental passenger jet, the U.S. makers newest and biggest version of its iconic jumbo jet. The Beijing-based carrier received its first of seven 747-8s at a ceremony at the Future of Flight museum thats adjacent to Boeings 747 assembly line north of Seattle. Starting Oct. 11, Air China plans to debut the jet between its Beijing hub and domestic destinations such as Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. The airline says long-haul flights from Beijing to Frankfurt are expected to begin later this year, with Los Angeles and New York coming at a later date. Passengers on the new jumbo will find 366 seats. Taking advantage of the airplanes size, Air China has installed a full, three-class cabin, with 12 seats in first class, 52 in business, 36 in premium economy, and 266 in economy. Air China says it chose the aircraft because of its operating economics and positive experience with the -8s older cousin, the 747-400 that preceded the -8. The aircraft will be used to replace Air Chinas aging fleet of 747-400s, which the carrier says will be retired by the end of 2015. The Boeing 747, characterized by the famous hump in the design of the upper deck, is considered by many industry observers to be the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Since 1968, Boeing has produced more than 1,500 747s. There have been six variants of the 747 since its introduction. The 747-8i, as it is more casually known, is the latest model, launched in 2005. Boeing unveiled the first model of the 747-8i passenger aircraft in 2011. Envisioned as a natural replacement to the exceptionally popular 747-400 series as well as a competitor to the Airbus superjumbo A380, Boeing substantially rebuilt in a bid to propel the 747 program well into the 21st century. New wings, new engines, and new interior design points are among the changes that help make it 16% more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, according to Boeing. Despite the renovations and additions, however, the 747-8i sales have been less than robust. So far, just 40 Intercontinentals have been ordered across only four carriers. Air China now joins the German flag carrier Lufthansa as the only operators of the airplane. Lufthansa has 19 of the aircraft on order, 15 of which have already been delivered. Korean Air will be the next of the four airlines that have ordered the aircraft to take delivery of the 747-8. Thats expected to come in early 2015. Russian carrier Transaero has also ordered the plane. Joe Sutter, designer of the original 747 built in the 1969, speaks with two generations of Air China 747 pilots. Capt. Zhou Daning, 39 (left), & Capt. Zhou Dianzhuo, 66. The elder Zhou piloted Air Chinas 747-400 fleet, while his son Daning will fly the newest -8i model. By USA Today.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 20:45:29 +0000
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