Lufthansa (LH) is to operate a new B747-8 route, between Frankfurt and New Delhi, starting August 6. It is LH’s second B747-8 route after its Frankfurt-Washington DC service began on June 1 (see story here).
In May this year, the carrier became the first in the world to receive a B747-8. LH's second B747-8 was delivered in July, and is designated for the New Delhi route. The inaugural flight touched down at Frankfurt Airport at 0710 yesterday.
The new daily B747-8 flight departs Frankfurt at 1345 to arrive in the Indian capital at 0035 the next day. The return leg takes off at 0225 for a 0710 arrival back in the German city.
The wide-body jet airliner B747-8 is the fourth-generation of the Boeing 747. It can seat 362 passengers, eight in first class, 92 in business and 262 in economy. To view a seatplan, click here. The aircraft is 76.3 metres long, which is 5.6 metres longer than its predecessor B747-400 (click here for a seatplan), with redesigned wings and improved efficiency.
The Gent GEnx-2B engines is more eco friendly, achieving a substantial 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per passenger. In addition, it produces 30 per cent less noise. The cabins are also quieter as the aircraft has outer skin insulation, sound-absorbing curtains, and flooring made with sound-deadening material.
The new aircraft features a new business class with fully-flat seats that offer more comfort and privacy for passengers in a sitting or recumbent position (see story here). First class seats, meanwhile, are located in the front section of the main deck – the quietest section of the aircraft – and can all be converted into lie-flat beds.
The B747 series has been operating LH’s long-haul routes for the past 40 years. By 2015, LH will have received 20 B747-8s, the first four of which are due for delivery this year. Amongst the destinations that Lufthansa will serve with the new aircraft is Bangalore, which will become the second B747-8 destination in India after Delhi.
For more information, visit www.lufthansa.com.
Michelle Fong
