Lufthansa gears up for 747-8 launch
Published: 06/12/2011 - Filed under: News »
Lufthansa is carrying out pre-delivery testing of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental at its Frankfurt base this week, ahead of entry into service early next year.
The German flag carrier is the launch customer for the passenger version of Boeing’s next-generation jumbo, and is set to unveil a new lie-flat business class on the aircraft, along with its recently-introduced first class product, featuring a separate seat and bed (see online news October 11).
According to Boeing, Lufthansa will conduct “a number of tests to help ensure a smooth integration of the newest member of the 747 family into Lufthansa operations”, with maintenance and engineering personnel rehearsing ground-handling processes, and crew checking how their ground-support equipment accommodates the aircraft.
The test aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt later today (Tuesday December 6), and will remain in Germany until the afternoon of December 9. Lufthansa has to announce a specific date for delivery of its first B747-8, but the launch aircraft is currently completing construction at Boeing Everett factory, and is set to enter service in “early 2012”.
Lufthansa has 20 of the B747-8 aicraft on order, with Korean Air and Arik Air having confirmed orders for the jumbo, and Hong Kong Airlines also believed to have placed an order.
For more information visit lufthansa.com, boeing.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
Read more about...
Bookmark with:
ADD A COMMENT »
The big picture: BA’s Jubilee jumbo 28/05/2012
British Airways has painted one of its B747 aircraft with an emblem and message as part of its celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee — full story »
Hong Kong Airport takes step closer to third runway 28/05/2012
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong has submitted its project profile for a third runway, the start of a two-year Environmental Impact Assessment — full story »
Travelodge adds two Edinburgh properties 28/05/2012
The budget hotel group has opened hotels on Edinburgh’s Queen Street and Princes Street, the latter being a partnership with high street retailer Topshop — full story »
