Boeing 747-8 news

Join this forum to discuss the latest news that happened in the world of commercial aviation.

Moderator: Latest news team

Post Reply
User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and B748 nearing first delivery

Post by RoMax »

Now they are planning 3 more 787 deliveries this month...one on 27th December and two on 30th December... There are Boeing employees working through during the Christmas holidays to get these ready and also the preperation of the GE 787 that will perform ETOPS testing for the GE engines is delayed because as much people as possible focus on getting these 3 787's to ANA this month.

As said before there are currently 9 748F's delivered and probably there will no 747 deliveries this month anymore. So IF they get 3 787's delivered this month, there will be 5 787's delivered. That makes a total of 14...while Boeing's last plan was 15-20 747's and 787's combined this year of which 2/3 748's... It's indeed 2/3 for 748, but they did not even achieve the lower end of their expectations...and these expectations where already down from the 25-40 planned earlier this year, later it was 25-30 and now 15-20 which they didn't even achieved...

Also about the 748F, RC602/ VQ-BLQ made it's first flight. This will be the first one to be delivered to AirBridgeCargo (probably early/mid January). It was the second build 748 for ABC, but is now marked as the first to be delivered (probably more rework on the first one, while this one needed only very limited rework).

http://paineairport.com/kpae4541.htm

hunterbruce
Posts: 1
Joined: 23 Dec 2011, 08:13

Re: Boeing 787 and B748 nearing first delivery

Post by hunterbruce »

Hi MR_Boeing »

Please can you help me find some info on whom has ordered the B748I VIP config.

Many thanks
Merry Xmas
hunter

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and B748 nearing first delivery

Post by RoMax »

hunterbruce wrote:Hi MR_Boeing »

Please can you help me find some info on whom has ordered the B748I VIP config.

Many thanks
Merry Xmas
hunter
I could try to find that, but I doubt I will succeed. These VIP customers mostly don't want to be identified, most of the time we only know it is from the Middle-East for example...

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and B748 nearing first delivery

Post by RoMax »

After MoU/LoI's (don't know which exactly, but doesn't matter really) for the A380 and B748i, Transaero also signed for 4 Boeing 787's, for fleet renewal.

Olga Pleshakova said the airline was "sticking to a principle of innovation" with the decision. The airline already made advance payments to secure the 787's, which will replace the 767's of the airline.
This aircraft, which has become a symbol of emerging technology, has the highest efficiency.
said Pleshakova.

Wonder if they'll also order the A350... Like they first signed for the A380 and shortly after that also for the 748i. Recently they also firmed up an order for 8 A320neo.

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

Boeing press release:

Boeing (NYSE:BA) and AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, celebrated today the delivery of the first of five new Boeing 747-8 Freighters to the airline.

"The introduction of the Boeing 747-8F represents a huge commitment to our customers since we are investing in state of the art equipment to further expand our network," said Tatyana Arslanova, executive president of AirBridgeCargo Airlines. "We have a firm belief that our established and new customers will greatly benefit from the additional features the airplane will provide such as enhanced payload. With the introduction of the Boeing 747-8F, we'll have the youngest freighter fleet in the industry while maintaining the highest standards of environmental compliance."

"ABC is a valued customer of Boeing that has built a very successful cargo business with the help of 11 747 Freighters and we're confident ABC will maintain its impressive rate of growth, supported by the new fleet of Boeing 747-8 Freighters," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Russia, Central Asia and Middle East, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The new 747-8 Freighter is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than its predecessor, the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. The 747-8 Freighters are powered with GE's GEnx-2B engines.

The addition of the 747-8 to ABC's fleet is an important step in its long-term business strategy. The second and third Boeing 747-8s will join the fleet in March and September 2012 and the last two aircraft on order are scheduled for delivery in 2013. In addition, ABC has options for five more 747-8s. By the end of 2012, after retiring old aircraft types, ABC's fleet will consist of three Boeing 747-8 Freighters and eight 747-400 Freighters.

Desert Rat
Posts: 1137
Joined: 08 May 2007, 09:38

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by Desert Rat »

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... =editorial

Very interresting news....looks like there will be some spider net in the 747-8 trim tank!!

Desert Rat
Posts: 1137
Joined: 08 May 2007, 09:38

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by Desert Rat »

...enjoy...
Attachments
IMAG0248.jpg

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

Boeing confirmed on Twitter they'll deliver the first 747-8i to a VIP customer on 27 February, fly away on February 28th. Tough it'll not go to the VIP customer immediatly, it will go to a modification center that will adjust the aircraft to the customer his needs. I heard it will not fly for this customer before 2013.
(first delivery to LH still sheduled for March)

Also the 27th, Boeing will deliver another 748F, number 12. On the 25th there will already be a delivery ceremony in front of the Future of Flight center. It seems the FoF may be used more frequently for deliveries as the current delivery center has been broken down (a new one will be build).

User avatar
sn26567
Posts: 40827
Joined: 13 Feb 2003, 00:00
Location: Rosières/Rozieren, Belgium
Contact:

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by sn26567 »

Just one small piece of information: the IATA aircraft code for the 747-8F is "74N"
André
ex Sabena #26567

User avatar
sn26567
Posts: 40827
Joined: 13 Feb 2003, 00:00
Location: Rosières/Rozieren, Belgium
Contact:

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by sn26567 »

Tomorrow, the very first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will be delivered to its owner, whose name sounds like a surprise. This 747-8I is a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and its owner will be Qatar Amiri Flight, which is a VIP airline owned by the government of Qatar. According to Wikipedia, they operate, “worldwide charters on demand and caters exclusively to the royal family of Qatar and other VIP government staff.”

Qatar Amiri Flight currently has two 747-8I’s on order.

See also Boeing's press release, which says the customer is 'undisclosed' : viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46880
André
ex Sabena #26567

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

First 748i arrived in YVR, will fly to IAB and then to Hamburg (LH Technics) for interior outfitting (is about to take 1-1,5 years).

Other things that were said today:

- Delivery date for first 748i to LH is not firm yet, but approaching fast (LH internally says 31 March, but this date is fluid)

- 8 VIP 748i's will be delivered this year

- 748's first performance improvement package will fly in 2013, it will bring the fuel usage within 1% of the original spec. Airframe weight will be reduced by 5,000lbs (MTOW will be maintained, so this is a good thing, but a highly needed weight reduction). There will be aerodynamic adjustments and the first improved version of the GEnx-2B engine.

- Avionic updates will be introduced this year

- the problem with the fuel tank in the tail is planned to be resolved in 2013

- Boeing wants to sell the 748i as the replacement for the current Air Force One

- Final assembly is accelerating rapidly towards 2/month

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

Hainan Airlines, considers to swap (some of) their 787 orders to orders for the 748i. 'Suprisingly', they are backed by the Chinese government for this (Hainan is a private company, but of course, in Chine you are never completely 'free' from the government).

They said that if it's a good airplane, they may swap orders for the 787 to the 748i, partly because of the serious delays in the 787 program.
They said they intent to grow their fleet with at least 10/ year and the 748i may fit in this growth as it's a much larger aircraft.
They said about their relation with Boeing: "We're loyal customers and we're promoting the development of Chinese-US economic relations".

btw, last year there was a MoU signed for 15 748i's, it's being said that this is from Hong Kong Airlines (partly owned by Hainan). But this is still not confirmed, though it seems very lickely as even on the Boeing website (on the page of 748 customers) a render of a 748i in Hong Kong Airlines colors appeard, it was removed shortly after this came in publicity).

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

Hainan Airlines confirmed they consider to order the 747-8i, but as addition to their 10 787 orders, not as a replacement like was said in the press last week.

globetrotter
Posts: 1227
Joined: 14 Nov 2005, 00:00

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by globetrotter »

Who all have order the 748 BBJ? the first one delivered is for Qatar govt. with one more due, Saudia Royal flight have ordered one as have Kuwait govt. I wonder if Qatari ones will be in airline livery or the state livery as on 747SP, Kuwait will for sure be in state livery like their A340.

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

The Boeing 747-8F is now 6 months in service and proves to be a succes. The A/C already in service prove to be more reliable and efficient then expected. Currently 15 B748F's are in service with 5 different airlines (Cargolux, Korean Air, AirBridgeCargo, BA Worldcargo/Atlas Air and Cathay).

In the first six months of operation the 748F has exceeded the dispatch reliability targets, and that with all 5 airlines. Boeing has constantly supported the airlines with their special 747-8 entry-into-service support team.

The 748's also prove to be more economical than predicted. Bruce Dickinson (chief project engineer 748) said they predicted double digit improvements in fuel burn over the 747-400, but the in-service numbers show that the performance is a full percentage point better than predicted. He says it doesn't sound much, but it can save an airline millions of dollars each year.

Testing of the 748F also showed that its stronger than expected. This extra weight is taken out and results in higher payload numbers for the customers. The 748F can transport 16% more freight than the 744F.

At this moment the 748F is allowed to fly to 200 airports worldwide (including BRU) after LHR was approved to get the 748. It has already flown revenue flights to more than 60 airports worldwide. Boeing says this is even more than the closest competitor is even allowed to serve... I wonder what they mean with that...the A380F...which has no orders... Or do they talk about the 748 and A380 in general...

Source: Boeing press release

cnc
Posts: 1311
Joined: 19 May 2009, 16:14

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by cnc »

MR_Boeing wrote: At this moment the 748F is allowed to fly to 200 airports worldwide (including BRU) after LHR was approved to get the 748. It has already flown revenue flights to more than 60 airports worldwide. Boeing says this is even more than the closest competitor is even allowed to serve... I wonder what they mean with that...the A380F...which has no orders... Or do they talk about the 748 and A380 in general...
the AN124 perhaps? :)

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

cnc wrote: the AN124 perhaps? :)
Haha, who knows. :P No it's about the A380, which is currently allowed at about 60 airports. They can call it a competitor for the 748i, altough airlines like LH and Korean Air prove you can easily have both. The 748F has no real competition, so I found it strange they mention it like that in their press release. :P

About the 748F performance. AirBridgeCargo said they are extremely happy with their first 748F and they can't wait to take the second one into service. They said that at the delivery ceremony for their second 748, delivery flight will be today or tomorrow.

Cathay also publicly said the fuel burn of their 748F's is better than expected. They said Boeing may have to launch a FMC software update sooner than expected to more closely reflect the actual fuel burn in the performance tool.

I'm quite suprised the performance of the 748 is so good. This is even without the first PIP (performance improvement package) of the GEnx engines which is supposed to reduce fuel burn by about 1-3%. This is a big advantage in Boeing's marketing campaign for the 748. Both for the freighter as for the pax version. Last month Boeing claimed they are confident they'll be able to announce some new 748i orders this year. But of course several airlines wait to see the first operational performance numbers, so this is good news.

User avatar
sn26567
Posts: 40827
Joined: 13 Feb 2003, 00:00
Location: Rosières/Rozieren, Belgium
Contact:

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by sn26567 »

This good fuel performance of the 748F comes as a surprise to me as well. You might remember that the first delivery to launch customer Cargolux was delayed because of a feud between Cargolux (pushed by its main shareholder Qatar) and Boeing about fuel consumption. It seems that all problems have been solved in a minimum of time, in sharp contrast with the delays to solve the problems on the 787.
André
ex Sabena #26567

DeltaWiskey
Posts: 594
Joined: 13 Oct 2010, 18:33

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by DeltaWiskey »

MR_Boeing wrote:The order of Transaero for 4 Boeing 787-8's has been finalised. The MoU was already announced some months ago.
Is there any news on their 747-8i order?

User avatar
RoMax
Posts: 4454
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 16:32

Re: Boeing 787 and 748 news

Post by RoMax »

DeltaWiskey wrote: Is there any news on their 747-8i order?
Not yet, neither on their A380 order. I hope they finalize these two orders too... Maybe they wait for the first operational results comming in from Lufthansa later this year. According to Boeing they have some airlines that are interested in the 748i, but waiting to see the first in-service results.

Post Reply