Boeing goes full stretch with passenger 747-8

Calls by Emirates Airlines for a shortened 747-8 Intercontinental have been dismissed by Boeing, which last week set a firm configuration that stretches the airframe 5.6m (18ft) compared with the 747-400.

The firm configuration milestone announcement temporarily dashes pleas by Emirates for a smaller, 3.6m stretch. This shortened version of the 747-8I would support the Abu Dhabi-Los Angeles route with slightly fewer passengers and a roughly 370km (200nm) range extension.

Boeing's original 747-8I featured a 2m forward fuselage plug, but this was increased in 2006 to 4.1m. The additional room adds 17 seats and lowers per-seat trip costs to make it more competitive with modern airliners.

Emirates has criticised this decision, however, publicly asking Boeing to offer two versions of the aircraft with the 4.1m and 2m plugs in the forward fuselage.

Meanwhile, the overall 747 programme, which has endured a management reshuffle and a drain of engineering talent since September, picked up new momentum with an order from Cathay Pacific for 10 747-8F Freighters, which also feature the 5.6m stretch.

Cathay's order, which included seven 777-300ERs, omitted a commitment to the 747-8I passenger model. Lufthansa Airlines remains the passenger model's sole customer, with first delivery expected in late 2010.

With firm configuration for the 747-8I complete, Boeing can begin the process of approving design drawings to suppliers and launching production. The 747-8F passed the same milestone last year.

The 747-8F is scheduled for roll-out in late 2008, followed by entry into service by late 2009.

Public perception of the programme was rattled in mid-October with the disclosure that Boeing had re-assigned the 747-8's top manager, Dan Mooney, to an unrelated position in regulatory affairs. Boeing executives also confirmed that the 787's six-month delay created a temporary shortage of engineers within the company. The delay also means a loss of six months of flight-test data on the General Electric GEnx, which is shared between the 787 and the 747-8.

Source: Flight International