Boeing 747-800F: The Best just Gets Better.

The Boeing 747-100 first flew in 1969.   Previously the worlds largest airliner, the 747 was a game changer. Many interations, 40 years and hundreds of aircraft later, the 747 is still a standard setter.

In 2005,  Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) placed $5 billion in orders for 18 of a totally new version of the 747.  Known as the 747-800F,  the newest vision of the 747 includes new technology drawn straight from both the B777 and the new 787 Dreamliner.   Both cargo airlines needed a bigger, more fuel efficient version of the 747 without having to convert everything from ground handling equipment to pilot type rating certificates.   

The 747-800 is designed to fly farther and leaner than any other aircraft.  Using a new wing design taken from the 787 and new fuel sipping General Electric GEnx engines, the 748F will be able to fly almost 4500 miles non-stop with the airlift of a B747-400F plus an additional 22 TONS of freight.

The 748F is bigger than previous 747's by over 18 feet in length.  It simply isn't your daddy's 747.  It will be the biggest, and most fuel efficient freighter of all time.   What is interesting however, is that the initial order was for a freighter version. Traditionally freighters are derived from passenger aircraft.  As of March 15, 2007, seven customers have ordered 57 747-800 Freighters.

The 747-800 has also been designed as a passenger version.   The pax version is known as the 747-800 IC or Intercontinental version.   The 747-800 Intercontinental fits into a 400-500 passenger niche between  current B777 models and the Airbus A380.  No other aircraft fits into this niche. 

On November 6th, 2007 Boeing completed trade studies for the the 747-800 IC.  These studies involve the ergonomic and design elements of the new aircraft.  Most elements draw experience directly from the B787 including seating, interior lighting, and spacial design.    What passengers will get are all the best aspects of the B787 coupled with the range and design experience of both the B747 and B777. Both are proven commercial favorites of passengers worldwide.

For air carriers facing increased customer requirements for faster transits, lower rates, and increased fuel efficiency, the 747-800F and the 747-800 Intercontinental will be very useful tools.  For Indirect Air Carrier/forwarders, the flexibility of the 747 coupled with the increase in available space will mean additional options for shippers.  Too bad we have to wait until 2009 before the first of these new aircraft fly. 

Cargolux will take the first delivery of the 747-800F in the second half of 2009.

clipped from www.boeing.com The new-technology Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the latest version of the undisputed "queen" of the air cargo fleet.  It is based on the design recognized as "the single development that (most) shaped air cargo...over the last 25 years" by industry leaders. The 747-8 Freighter continues the leadership of the 747 Freighter family in the world cargo market.  Boeing launched the 747-8 Family with orders for the freighter in November 2005 from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.  The launch came after considerable study of the market feasibility of a new 747.  By working together with customers and applying innovative new technologies of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing was able to create the 747-8 Family. With a payload capacity of 134 tonnes (148 tons), the 747-8 Freighter offers an additional 121 cubic meters (4,225 cubic feet) of volume -- accommodating four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. The 747-8 Freighter enables operators to choose between carrying greater revenue payload -- up to an additional 20 tonnes (22 tons) more than the 747-400F -- or flying up to 1,400 nautical miles farther in markets where cargo density requirements are lower. The airplane upholds its predecessors legendary efficiency, with nearly equivalent trip costs and 14 percent lower tonne-kilometer costs than the 747-400F. In fact, the 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest tonne-kilometer costs of any freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential.

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