Definition
The Boeing 747‑8 is a wide‑body commercial jet aircraft developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It represents the eighth and final major series of the Boeing 747 family and is the longest passenger‑aircraft ever in service.
Overview
The 747‑8 program was launched in 2005 as a replacement for the 747‑400, incorporating aerodynamic, structural, and systems improvements derived from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Two primary variants were produced: the 747‑8 Intercontinental (passenger version) and the 747‑8 Freighter (cargo version).
The first 747‑8 Freighter rolled out on 22 February 2010 and performed its maiden flight on 8 February 2010. The passenger version first flew on 20 March 2011 and entered commercial service with Lufthansa on 31 July 2011. Production was centered at Boeing’s Renton, Washington final‑assembly line. In February 2023, Boeing announced that the 747‑8 program would end, with the final delivery scheduled for 2024. As of the program’s conclusion, a total of 155 aircraft (including both variants) had been delivered to airlines and cargo operators worldwide.
Etymology/Origin
The designation “747” follows Boeing’s original numeric naming scheme, where the first digit denotes the family (7 for commercial jet transports) and the subsequent digits identify the model series. The suffix “‑8” indicates the eighth major iteration of the 747 design. The term “Boeing” derives from the company’s founder, William E. Boeing, and is used as a brand prefix for all its aircraft.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Airframe length | 76.3 m (250 ft 2 in), 18.3 m longer than the 747‑400 |
| Wingspan | 68.4 m (224 ft 7 in); newly designed wing with raked wingtips |
| Height | 19.4 m (63 ft 9 in) |
| Maximum take‑off weight (MTOW) | 447 t (987 000 lb) for the Intercontinental; 447 t for the Freighter |
| Engines | Four General Electric GEnx‑2B series turbofans (‑2B74 on the Intercontinental, delivering 66 500 lbf thrust; ‑2B67 on the Freighter, delivering 66 500 lbf thrust) |
| Passenger capacity | Up to 467 passengers in a typical three‑class layout; maximum 605 in an all‑economy configuration |
| Cargo capacity | Freighter version offers a 30 % larger main‑deck payload than the 747‑400F, with a maximum payload of 137 t (302 000 lb) |
| Range | Intercontinental: approximately 7 730 nmi (14 320 km) with typical load; Freighter: about 4 120 nmi (7 630 km) with maximum payload |
| Avionics | Boeing 777‑derived flight deck with large LCD displays, fly‑by‑wire autopilot, and integrated electronic flight bag |
| Fuel efficiency | Approx. 10 % lower fuel consumption per seat‑kilometre compared with the 747‑400, due to aerodynamic refinements and newer engines |
| Notable features | Extended fuselage (“stretch”), redesigned wing with increased fuel capacity, updated interior with larger overhead bins and LED lighting, advanced wing‑tip devices (raked wingtips) instead of traditional winglets |
Related Topics
- Boeing 747 family – predecessor models (747‑100 through 747‑400) and the overall development history of the “Jumbos.”
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner – source of many aerodynamic and systems technologies incorporated into the 747‑8.
- Airbus A380 – competing very‑large‑capacity, double‑deck aircraft.
- GEnx engine family – high‑bypass turbofan engines used on the 747‑8 and 787.
- Wide‑body aircraft – classification of twin‑aisle airliners designed for long‑haul operations.
- Cargo aviation – role of the 747‑8 Freighter within global air freight networks.