Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

The Boeing 747-8 is the final and largest variant of the iconic 747 family. Stretched 5.6 m beyond the 747-400, with a redesigned wing, raked tips, and the GEnx engines from the 787, it served as the last new four-engine commercial widebody. Production ended in 2023 after 155 deliveries, marking the close of the 747 era after 54 years.

Specifications

History

Boeing announced the 747-8 program in November 2005, targeting a re-engined, stretched 747 that would compete with the A380 in the very-large-aircraft segment. The freighter variant (747-8F) flew first on 8 February 2010, with the passenger 747-8 Intercontinental following on 20 March 2011. Lufthansa took the launch passenger delivery in May 2012. The aircraft never matched the commercial success Boeing had hoped for — only Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Air China operate the passenger version in significant numbers. The freighter variant, however, became a cargo workhorse for UPS, Cathay Pacific Cargo, AirBridgeCargo, and Atlas Air. The final delivery — a 747-8F to Atlas Air — took place on 31 January 2023, ending 747 production after 1,574 total airframes built.

Design

Compared with the 747-400, the -8 has a 5.6 m fuselage stretch, a completely new wing with raked tips replacing the -400's winglets, and four GEnx-2B67 engines borrowed from the 787 program. The flight deck retains 747-400 commonality but adds enhanced displays. The upper deck was extended to give 16 first-class business-class suites in typical configurations. Maximum take-off weight increased to 447.7 tonnes — second only to the A380 in passenger service.

Variants

• 747-8 Intercontinental (passenger)
• 747-8F (freighter, the more successful variant)
• VC-25B (US Air Force One, two on order)
• BBJ 747-8 (VIP transport, multiple customers)

Notable operators

• Lufthansa (largest passenger operator)
• Korean Air
• Air China
• UPS Airlines (largest 747-8F operator)
• Cargolux
• Atlas Air
• AirBridgeCargo (historical)
• Cathay Pacific Cargo

Notable

The 747-8 marks the end of an era — it is the final new four-engine commercial aircraft program ever launched. The two new VC-25B aircraft on order will serve as Air Force One into the 2030s and likely beyond. The 747-8F freighter remains the most-capable purpose-built freighter in the world by main-deck nose-loading capability, no other production aircraft has the swing-up nose for outsized cargo.

See also

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747-8
• https://www.boeing.com/commercial/747

Last updated: 2026-05-06