2010 Boeing 747-8 Freighter

The only large aircraft fits today’s airport infrastructure and now the airlines have the necessary flexibility to fly to more destinations.
The 747-8 will build on the current 747’s potential to fly into most airports worldwide, using the same pilot type ratings, services and most ground support equipment.

Using the same pilot type ratings, services and most ground support equipment, the Boeing 747-8 will build on the current 747’s capability to fly into most airports worldwide.

Having a maximum structural payload capability of 140 metric tonnes (154 tons) and also a range of 8,130 km (4,390 nmi), the 747-8 Freighter will be longer than the 747-400F by 5.6 m (18.3 ft).

Powered by 787-technology engines

Also this aircraft is powered by 787-technology engines (General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000), achieving the same environmental advantages as the 747-8 Intercontinental.

The 747-8 Freighter will have nearly the same trip costs and 16 percent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor.

The additional 120 cu m (4,245 cu ft) of volume means the airplane can hold four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.

The 747-8 Freighter is significantly superior to the A380F, because it operates economics.

23 percent lower ton-mile costs

The 747-8F’s empty weight is 80 tonnes (88 tons) lighter than the A380F aircraft, resulting in a 24 percent lower fuel burn per ton, 21 percent lower trip costs and 23 percent lower ton-mile costs than the A380F.
This latest family of the 747 jetliners meets airline necessities for a passenger aircraft that serves the 400- to 500-seat market between the 555-seat Airbus A380 and the 365-seat Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircrafts, and a freighter that continues the leadership of the 747 Freighter family in the world cargo market.

The freighter version of the 747-8 will permit operators to maximize their profitability.

That translates into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than 6 percent compared to the A380.
By working together with customers and applying the innovative new technologies of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing was able to create the 747-8 family. In fact, the designation 747-8 was chosen to show the technology connection between the 787 and the new 747.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Exterior

Offering a range of 8,130 km (4,390 nmi) and has 16 percent more cargo volume than the 747-400, which permits it to hold seven additional pallets with the same nose-door loading capability, industry-standard 3 m (10-ft)-high pallets and real-world cargo density capability at 159 kg/cu m or 9.9 lb/cu ft.

The 747-8 Freighter enables operators to choose between carrying greater revenue payload — up to an additional 20 tonnes (22 tons) — or flying up to 1,400 nmi farther in markets where cargo density requirements are lower.

In fact, the 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential.
The 747-8 Freighter offers a range of 8,130 km (4,390 nmi).
Both airplanes represent a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and noise reduction, allowing airlines to lower fuel costs and fly into more airports at more times of the day.

The airplane upholds its predecessor’s legendary efficiency, with nearly equivalent trip costs and 16 percent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400F. In fact, the 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Interior

• total cargo capacity 858.3 cu m (30,312 cu ft);
  total main-deck volume capacity 692.7 cu m (24,462 cu ft) consisting of 34 2.4 m x 3.2 m (96 in x 125 in) pallets of which 27 are 3-m (10-ft) high units;
• total lower-hold volume capacity 165.7 cu m (5,850 cu ft), consisting of 12 2.4 m x 3.2 m (96 in x 125 in) pallets, 2 LD-1 containers and bulk storage of 14.0 cu m (496 cu ft).
• passenger demand fell 3.5 percent last year with an average load factor of 75.6 percent, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• freight traffic was worse, down 10 percent with a load factor just under 50 percent. (Load factors refer to how much of a plane’s capacity is in use during an average flight.)

Compared to the 747-400 Freighter, the 747-8 Freighter is stretched in two bands for a total extension of 18.3 feet. The 747 has proven to be a very popular freighter, carrying roughly half of the world’s air freight. "Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World’s Best Freighters." Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family.

Launched by Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines

In an effort to maintain this dominant position, Boeing has designed a freight variant of the 747-8. Launched by Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines, the 747-8F will be the initial model to see entry into service (EIS). As on the 747-400F, the upper deck is shorter than passenger models; the -8F’s fuselage, however, is stretched 5.6 m (18.3 ft) over the 747-400, to a total of 75.3 m (250.2 ft). Therefore, the 747-8F is going to be the world’s longest commercial airliner, surpassing the Airbus A340-600. With a 435.5 tonne (960,000 lb) maximum take-off weight, it will have a total payload capability of 140 tonnes (154 tons) with a range of 8,275 km (4,475 nmi).

Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter."Boeing 747-8I and 747-8F Facts. Four extra pallet spaces will be created on the main deck, while the lower deck would be able to hold two extra containers and two extra pallets.

The 747-8 family provides new revenue opportunities that will permit airlines to maximize profits. For example, the passenger airplane has 51 additional seats to accommodate 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and also offers 26 percent more cargo volume.
Boeing 747-8 Freighter Potential customers

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Engines

Using 787-technology engines the aircraft will be quieter, it will produce lower emissions, and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner.
The 747 Intercontinental will provide nearly equivalent trip costs and 13 percent lower seat-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 26 percent greater cargo volume.
Operating economics will offer a significant improvement over the A380.
The 747-8 is more than 10 percent lighter per seat than the A380 and will consume 11 percent less fuel per passenger than the 555-seat airplane.

Topspeed=614 mph

That translates into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than 6 percent, compared to the A380. Both the 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter can use the existing infrastructure and ground equipment at most airports worldwide.
The 747-8 Freighter will be longer than the 747-400F by 5.6 m (18.3 ft) and have a maximum structural payload capability of 140 metric tonnes (154 tons) with a range of 8,130 km (4,390 nmi).
The 747-8 Freighter will have nearly equivalent trip costs and 16 percent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor. The additional 120 cu m (4,245 cu ft) of volume means the airplane can accommodate four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. Operating economics of the 747-8 Freighter will be significantly superior to the A380F.
The 747-8F’s empty weight is 80 tonnes (88 tons) lighter than the A380F, resulting in a 24 percent lower fuel burn per ton, 21 percent lower trip costs and 23 percent lower ton-mile costs than the A380F.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Safety

The 747-8 Freighter has no competitors, compared one-on-one. The 747-8 Freighter’s empty weight is 80 tonnes (88 tons) lighter than the A380 freighter. This results in a 24 percent lower fuel burn per ton, which translates into 21 percent lower trip costs and 23 percent lower ton-mile costs than the A380F.

Cargolux, also the 747-400F launch customer, has ordered 10 747-8F freighters with an EIS of 2009; the second launch order was Nippon Cargo Airlines’ eight-aircraft purchase.

There is speculation on who the unidentified customer is. Two articles suggest that it is the Qatar Government. It has also been suggested that the unidentified customer may be Saudi Arabian Airlines, but the article quoted does not seem to confirm this.

Many airlines have shown interest in the new 747-8. However there have been no commitments for the passenger model. Cathay Pacific Airways’ chief operating officer, Tony Tyler, is quoted as saying his airline was "delighted with the 787’s launch because of what it means for the 747".

747-8 Freighter has no competitors

Air New Zealand has also expressed interest, with an executive stating that "if Boeing launches the 747-8, we will probably buy it". Pakistan International Airlines has also shown interest in the 747-8I to replace their eight aging 747-300 aircraft.

On April 26, 2006, a report on Economic Daily News stated that China Airlines intended to sign a deal for 10 747-8 Intercontinentals for US $2.5 billion by the end of June. The next day, China Airlines denied having such an intention, stating that they intend to announce whether they will order the A380 or the 747-8 by the end of the year. China Airlines’ intention to operate only three types of aircraft (Boeing 737-800, Airbus A330-300, and Boeing 747-400), however, makes an order for the 747-8 very likely.

The Boeing 747-8 Family: A Proud Tradition of Value Continues
 The 747-8 Freighter is the new high-capacity 747s that offers airlines the best economics and the lowest operating costs of any large freighter airplane, while providing enhanced environmental performance.

This latest family of the 747 jetliners meets airline requirements for a passenger airplane that serves the 400- to 500-seat market between the 555-seat Airbus A380 and the 365-seat Boeing 777-300 Extended Range airplanes, and a freighter that continues the leadership of the 747 Freighter family in the world cargo market.

Boeing launched the airplane on November 14, 2005, with firm orders for 18 747-8 Freighters; 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan.

Press release:

Moses Lake, Wash., March 11, 2010) — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 747-8 Freighter. This milestone enables test engineers to be on board during future flights and allows the remaining two 747-8 Freighter test airplanes to begin flight test.
"The airplane is performing as expected in the initial stages of flight test," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "That’s a tribute to the men and women who helped design and build this airplane."

33 hours of flying

Since the first flight in early February, the program has conducted 13 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 m) and a speed of Mach .65. The program has completed approximately 33 hours of flying. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive checkout of the airplane’s systems. Five different pilots have flown the newest Boeing freighter.

"This is a critical milestone in our test and certification plan," said Andy Hammer, test program manager for the 747-8, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the addition of the other two airplanes in the near future, the test program will ramp up significantly. We will expand the flight envelope and demonstrate the airplane’s capabilities."

In the weeks ahead, the 747-8 Freighter will reach an altitude of more than 43,000 feet (13,106 m) and a speed of Mach .97. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions.

Flight testing will continue in the months ahead. All told, the 747-8 Freighter test program calls for approximately 3,700 hours of testing using three test airplanes. First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.

 

Pricing and Cost

The price of this aircraft was between $ 301.5 — 304.5 million.