Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now that we are approaching the first delivery of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental to launch customer Lufthansa (May 1st and 2nd 2012) the really very modest news releases of The Boeing Company talk about an airliner that was enhanced in so many respects:
"Boeing (NYSE: BA) has delivered the first 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airliner to Deutsche Lufthansa AG, beginning a new era for the world's most recognized airplane, and beginning a new era of
increased efficiency,
stronger environmental performance and
greater enjoyment for Lufthansa and its passengers.
"Lufthansa and Boeing have a long and proud history of working together to bring new innovations to the airline industry," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are grateful for Lufthansa's inspiration and leadership in helping us design a new Queen of the Skies for the 21st Century, and I'm proud of what Boeing employees have accomplished by bringing this great airplane to Lufthansa and the world."
"After working together for many years, we are very pleased to have the newest generation of four-engine aircraft join our fleet," said Christoph Franz, chairman of the Executive Board and chief executive officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Lufthansa employees will conduct airline-specific preparations to get the airplane ready for a May 1 flight to its permanent home base in Frankfurt. Boeing will host a special flyaway celebration with senior executives from both companies that day. Lufthansa will then host a special celebration when the airplane arrives in Frankfurt on May 2. Details of those celebrations will be announced soon.
The 747-8 Intercontinental will bring double-digit
improvements in fuel burn and emissions over its predecessor, the 747-400, while
generating 30 percent less noise. The 747-8 Intercontinental's Dreamliner-inspired interior includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of
space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. It is powered by GE Aviation's GEnx-2B engines."
Actually the new Jumbo Jet of Boeing looks to me like a Concorde: it is pointed, airy and elegant - somehow very sensational and exceptional... It is already a wonder that Boeing succeeded in selling more examples of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental than the 16 examples built out of Concorde... I don't think it is a problem if it is going to remain a rare experience to travel on this unique airliner...
Best wishes, Joseph de la Mikula and Team
