2002 - 2010 Boeing 747-400ER

The latest model of the 747 family is the 747-400ER. This aircraft was launched on November 28, 2000 when Qantas marked an order for 6.
The -400ER is characterized by having the same size as the -400, but has more range or payload capability. Increased by 15,870kg (35,000lb) to 412,770kg (910,000lb), the MTOW gives a further range of 805km (435nm) or a 6800kg (15,000lb) greater payload.
The Boeing 747-400ER also features a wholly new cabin interior with larger baggage bins and improved avionics.
This 747-400ER was for Boeing a huge step in the continuing development of the world’s most familiar jetliner — the 747 — by launching new and more capable models of the aircraft that changed the world.
The 747-400ER is available in both passenger and freighter versions and provides the same size as the 747-400s airplane, offering an invincible combination of payload and range.
In November 2005, Boeing launched the next-generation 747 - the 747-8.

Maximum range - 7,670 nmi, (14,205 km)

The 747-8 combines even greater capacity with 787 engine technology — the most advanced commercial airplane propulsion technology in the world — for quieter airplanes that produce lower emissions, achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner, and fly faster — at .86 Mach — than any other jetliner.
Another version, a cargo version, the extended range freighter (747-400ERF) keep the standard -400ER, was launched on April 30, 2001 on an order by leasing company ILFC for 5, entered service in October 2002.
The first -400ERF is the 1315th 747 built. The -ERF aircraft has the same MTOW as the -ER, and this will give an extra range of 970km (525nm), or an extra payload of 9980kg (22,000lb) at MTOW compared with the standard -400F.
Various growth 747 versions have been studied. The 747-500X and -600X models were dropped in January 1997. Now the Boeing proposes the 747-400XQLR (Quiet Longer Range), a variant that will offer more range, more quiet, and more features. 

Boeing 747-400ER Exterior

The -400ER includes the strengthened wing, body, and landing gear of the -400F, plus an auxiliary fuel tank in the forward cargo hold, and an optional second one. If you don’t need these, you can remove them both, increasing additional cargo volume.
The 747-400ER passenger airplane has a range of 7,670 nautical miles (14,205 km). The 747-400ER Freighter, at its maximum takeoff weight of 910,000 pounds (412,770 kg), has a range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 km).
The -400ER also features a wholly new cabin interior with larger luggage bins, and several flight deck improvements.
A cargo version, the 747-400ERF, followed the standard -400ER, and was launched April 30, 2001 on an order by leasing company ILFC for 5. The first -400ERF is the 1315th 747 built. The -ERF has the same MTOW as the -ER, and this will give an extra range of 970km (525nm), or an extra payload of 9980kg (22,000lb) at MTOW compared with the standard -400F.
Shortly before delivery of the first -400ER, Boeing had received orders for 15 ER/ERFs from 5 customers.
Various growth 747 models have been studied. The 747-500X and -600X models were dropped in January 1997. Boeing is currently proposing the 747-400XQLR (Quiet Longer Range) to 747-size customers which will offer more range, more quiet, and more features.

Freighter Version: Flies Farther — and Carries More

The 747-400ER Freighter offers an even more unbeatable combination of payload, range and speed. With a maximum takeoff weight of 875,000 pounds (396,900 kg), the standard 747-400 Freighter can carry 124 tons (113,000 kg) of cargo up to 4,450 nautical miles (8,240 km). The 747-400ER Freighter has a maximum takeoff weight of 910,000 pounds (412,770 kg) — allowing it to fly an additional 525 nautical miles (972 km). Or, it can carry an additional 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) of payload on long-range flights at maximum takeoff weight.
With the lowest operating cost per ton-mile in the industry, the 747-400ER Freighter improves on what is already the most competent cargo transport in the industry.
The 747-400ER Freighter has a maximum takeoff weight of 910,000 pounds (412,770 kg).
This takeoff weight increase permits the 747-400ER Freighter to fly an additional 525 nautical miles (972 km).
Or, it can carry an additional 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) of payload on long-range flights at maximum takeoff weight.
747-400 Freighters can carry twice as much cargo, twice as far, as the competitor’s leading freighter. Along with earlier versions, 747 Freighters — about 250 in all — carry half of all the world’s freighter air cargo.

Boeing 747-400ER Interior

Passengers - 416 in three classes, 524 in two classes

The new Boeing Signature Interior is standard on the 747-400ER and optional on in-production 747-400s. Boeing is offering retrofit packages that permit the more than 460 747-400 passenger airplanes in service today to incorporate an improved main-deck and/or upper deck solution.
The 747-400ER cabin is famous by a new curved, upswept architecture known as the Boeing Signature Interior. Passengers will also appreciate the lavatory improvements found in the new interior.
This Boeing Signature interior offers a more spacious and pleasing appearance and the installation of 777-style overhead "pivot" bins enlarges stowage.
747-400ER passengers will enjoy 15 percent more volume for carry-on items. The new bins have been made to contain over 30 percent more roll-aboard bags.
The upper deck of the 747-400ER has more than 100 percent more space for carry-on bags.

Boeing 747-400ER Avionics

Avionics systems were also offered by Smith Industries (altitude alerting computer and fuel quantity indicators), Parker Aerospace (autobrake control module) and Labinal (Tyre pressure indicating system).
Further expansion of the versions continues with the 747-8 stretched models and 747-400ER extended range, although development problems with the 787 have delayed two years the 747-8 series.
The extended-range aircrafts, like 747-400ER will have the same advanced flight deck as the baseline 747-400, and will also introduce improvements such as new, more reliable Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and cockpit noise reductions to the 747-400 Family.
747ER – The extended Range variant of the 747-400 has some advantages like: increased gross takeoff weight for greater fuel capacity (and range) and increased payload;

Rockwell Collins DU-7001 active matrix liquid crystal displays

This model combines the strengthened wing, fuselage, and landing gear of the 747-400 Freighter with one or two additional fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold; also it disposes of more reliable Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD’s), an integrated standby LCD flight display, cockpit noise reductions, and avionics upgrades including a quiet climb capability
The integrated digital avionics systems allowed the Boeing designers to reduce flight deck lights, gauges and switches from 971 in the 747-300 to 365 on the 747-400 model. The digitized flight deck significantly reduce the flight crew workload, with an estimated saving of 33%-50%.
The new 747-400ER is equipped with Rockwell Collins DU-7001 active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD).
The fuselage is enormous, with a main deck seating nine abreast plus an upper deck lounge aft of the flight deck. To operate such a heavy aircraft from existing runways, the weight had to be dispersed over 18 wheels on five landing gear units.
Despite its bulk, the 747 was designed to be as similar to smaller Boeing designs, like the 707 and 727, as possible to ease crew familiarization and airport compatibility.
The 747 uses powered controls and advanced navigation systems so that early models required only three flight crew to operate the aircraft. The current 747-400 production models employ further advanced automation technologies to reduce the flight crew to two.
From an operations and maintenance perspective, the 747-400ER airplanes are virtually identical — using the same spare parts pool, and sharing the same type rating for pilots.
Boeing 747-400ER Family: More Payload, More Range, More Revenue for the World’s Favorite Airplane

Boeing 747-400ER Engine

The 747-400ER operators may choose between four Pratt & Whitney PW4062 turbofan engines, with 63,300lb maximum thrust or four General Electric CF6-80C2B5F turbofan engines, with 62,100lb maximum thrust. The diameter of the 747 engine cowling is 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m).
The internal fuel capacity has a maximum stowage of 57,285gal(216,840l), it gives a maximum range of 8,430 statute miles and a typical cruise speed of 565mph (910km/h) at 35,000ft.
More than 240,000 pounds of thrust enable the 747-400 to travel at Mach 0.85 while performing intercontinental flights.
The 747-400ER can transport more than 63,500 gallons of fuel (240,370 L). With this aircraft it possible to fly extremely long routes, such as Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia.
On the 747-400ER model, the engine thrust has grown to 63,300 pounds (28,710 kg).

Boeing 747-400ER Safety

Boeing 747-400ER Family: More Payload, More Range, More Revenue for the World’s Favorite Airplane
The 747-400ER aircrafts, both passenger and freighter, will have the same familiar shape as the 747-400 model.
The passenger version has an auxiliary fuel tank located in the lower lobe’s forward cargo partition.
Both 747-400ER aircrafts integrated strengthened fuselage, landing gear, and parts of its wing, along with new, larger tires.

Boeing 747-400ER price

The price of this aircraft was between 238.0 — 268.0 million US-Dollars.