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The Boeing
747-8 Intercontinental taxis down the runway before its maiden
flight from Paine Field, in Everett, Washington, March 20, 2011. (Credit: REUTERS/Robert Sorbo) |
(Reuters) -
Boeing Co's 747-8 Intercontinental, the new passenger version of its legendary
jumbo jet, completed its maiden flight without a hitch on Sunday, marking a key
milestone for the aircraft model more closely associated with Boeing than any
other plane.
The
behemoth began its first test flight from Boeing's Paine Field north of Seattle
into clear blue skies at 9:58 a.m. local time. The take-off, witnessed by
thousands of Boeing employees and aviation enthusiasts, occurred almost 42
years after the first flight of the original 747, which later became one of the
most recognized planes in the world.
After
almost four and half hours in the air, the red and white plane landed safely at
Boeing Field just south of central Seattle.
The 747-8
Intercontinental will seat 467 passengers, 51 more than the current version of
the 747. It promises to burn less fuel and offer more passenger comforts. The
plane also boasts new wings, a new tail, state-of-the-art engines and a new
cockpit.
The 747 was
the world's largest airplane until 2005, when Airbus unveiled its 525-seat
A380.
Boeing has
taken orders for 33 747-8 passenger planes, according to the company website on
Friday. The plane lists at $317.5 million.
Germany's
Lufthansa has ordered 20 of the planes, and is set to be the first airline to
bring the new jumbo into service early next year.
Production
of the new 747 has been delayed as has the mid-sized 787 Dreamliner, a
carbon-composite plane, which represents a bigger leap in technology than the
revamped 747-8.
The
stronger-selling freighter version of the 747 has already flown and is due to
be delivered in mid-2011 -- 18 months later than first planned. Boeing
has sold more than 70 747-8 freighters.
(Reporting
by Bill Rigby in Seattle and Kyle Peterson in Chicago; Editing by Diane Craft)
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