VIP customer gets Boeing’s first 747-8 Intercontinental delivery

On April 6, 2012, Singapore Airlines will officially retire its fleet of Boeing 747-400 planes. Qantas is also cutting the amount of 747-400s it runs. But they are using A380s and Boeing 777s instead. So who is getting the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jumbo?The answer is a VIP customer. At least they will take the first delivery, then other airlines, such as German carrier Lufthansa, will start taking orders of the new double-decker plane. After the massive fan fare surrounding Airbus’ A380 super jumbo, Boeing has found it difficult to draw much attention to the new 747-8 Intercontinental. There is still a lot to talk about though: it’s the longest plane in the world and the top deck is stretched further than the 747-400 model’s. Of course it’s a lot more fuel efficient and can carry more passengers.

With a VIP customer getting the first plane, it’s been even harder for Boeing to kick up any sort of stink. The customer hasn’t been named and the celebration ceremony was modest, to say the least, allegedly at the customer’s request. According to the SMH, “Boeing, which competes for orders with rival Airbus , has taken 36 orders [for the 747-8] – nine from non-airline customers – for the aircraft, which lists at $US332.9 million ($A309 million).”

From here the new first 747-8 will head off for custom fitting. Boeing signs off on all the modifications to be made to the cabin interior but at the end of the day it’s largely down to the purchaser what they do with it. Bedrooms, lounge rooms, cinemas, car spaces… it’s almost a completely blank canvas. And if you have $309 million to drop on a jumbo jet, it would be quite fair of you to want a very tailored flying solution in your life.

Via: SMH

Web: Boeing

Image courtesy of: Airline Reporter

Recent Posts

  • Lifestyle

MOVA hits retailers nationally with their extensive range of robotic appliances

New kid on the block Mova have announced that their range of robotic appliances for…

7 minutes ago
  • Lifestyle

Zwift is introducing WHOOP Recovery Score integration, a new smart bike and some big app upgrades

Zwift has announced the new season of its gamified fitness app, bringing not just a…

25 minutes ago
  • Motoring

The Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars podcast – Episode # 137 – Connected Car Security fears and plans

There's been a lot of talk about Chinese Cars and data worries, but it's a…

11 hours ago
  • Tech

Jake Dyson on Chinese rip-off products and appliances that fix themselves

Dyson has just launched the CameraJet, a toothbrush with a built in camera that fires…

1 day ago
  • Lifestyle

The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast – Malcolm

A shy, socially awkward mechanical genius loses his job at the Melbourne tram depot for…

3 days ago
  • Tech

Pre-orders open for limited edition GTA 6 PS5 Dual-Sense controllers

The perfect accessory for your Grand Theft Auto 6 experience, with two limited edition GTA…

3 days ago