Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Visiting Frankfurt

Boeing and Lufthansa are fast approaching the next major milestone on the 747-8 Intercontinental program with the start of pre-delivery testing of the new airplane at Lufthansa's main operations base at Frankfurt Airport from 6 - 9 December 2011.

Lufthansa will conduct a number of tests to help ensure a smooth integration of the newest member of the 747 family into Lufthansa operations. Lufthansa maintenance and engineering personnel will rehearse ground-handling processes for the 747-8 Intercontinental within the airline's facilities and on its ramps at the airport. In addition, the crews will check how their ground-support equipment accommodates the airplane. These checks will help Lufthansa ensure a smooth entry into service for crews and passengers in early 2012.

The airplane is scheduled to arrive at Frankfurt Airport late afternoon Central European Time (CET) on 6 December after an approximately 9-hour flight from Seattle. Three Lufthansa pilots will join two Boeing pilots on the flight crew for the flight. The airplane will depart early afternoon CET 9 December 2011.

The airplane that will visit, known to Boeing as RC021, is one of three airplanes that have served in the 747-8 Intercontinental flight test fleet. It was specifically used to test interior systems such as heating and air conditioning, cabin lighting and systems and galleys.

The airplane is painted white with a gray belly and a blue tail fin – a basecoat of the Lufthansa livery without decals – and will be the fifth 747-8 Intercontinental to join Lufthansa's fleet when it is delivered in the third quarter 2012. The first 747-8 Intercontinental destined for Lufthansa is completing construction at Boeing's facility in Everett, Wash.

The 747-8 Intercontinental provides double-digit improvements in fuel economy and carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30% smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that include a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.

Lufthansa has ordered a total of 20 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Tickets, Lufthansa, Boeing, 747-8