747-8 Intercontinental takes first flight test
Posted: Mon 21 Mar, 2011 5:32 PM
The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental marked the beginning of its flight test programme as it took its first flight test yesterday before a crowd of Boeing employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders.
The aircraft took off at Paine Field in Everett Washington state and landed four hours and 25 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle. The flight test programme is expected to run till the fourth quarter of 2011. Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, 747-8 programme, was quoted in Travel Daily Asia as having said that this was a great day for the 747-8 team and for all of Boeing. Lund added that she considered it an honour to see such a beautiful plane fly.
The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost compared to any large commercial jetliners; provide 16% better fuel economy; 16% less carbon emissions per passenger, and generate 30% smaller noise footprint. A total of four airlines, one of which is Korean Air, have ordered 38 B747-8 Intercontinental aircrafts.
