The Boeing 747-8, the largest and most recent variant of the Boeing 747, stands as the most magnificent passenger aircraft ever constructed. It genuinely embodies its title as the “Queen of the Skies.” Nowadays, catching a glimpse of a 747 soaring through the sky is a genuine treat, particularly the 747-8 Intercontinental. Although it’s saddening that this plane is no longer being produced, I find comfort in knowing that several airlines continue to operate the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental
The Boeing 747-8, a wide-body airliner and the largest variant of the 747, was developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes to compete with the double-deck Airbus A3XX, which later became the A380. After the successful launch of the 747-400, Boeing shifted its focus towards creating a larger and more advanced version of the 747.
On November 14, 2005, the stretched 747 Advanced was introduced as the 747-8, targeting a market forecast of 300 aircraft. The first 747-8F Freighter took to the skies on February 8, 2010, followed by the passenger 747-8I Intercontinental on March 20, 2011. The Freighter version was first delivered in October 2011, and commercial service for the Intercontinental began in June 2012.
The 747-8’s fuselage stretches an additional 18 feet (5.5 meters) to a total length of 250 feet (76 meters), making it the longest airliner until the arrival of the 777X in 2020. The wing design retains its basic structure and sweep, but is thicker and deeper, with the ability to hold more fuel. Additionally, the wings are wider and feature raked wingtips for improved efficiency.
The Freighter version of the 747-8 has a shorter upper deck and can transport an impressive 308,000 pounds (140 tons) over 4,120 nautical miles (7,630 km). On the other hand, the Intercontinental version can carry 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration across 7,790 nautical miles (14,430 km).
A total of 155 Boeing 747-8 aircraft were built, which includes 107 freighters and 48 passenger airliners.
A Masterpiece of Technology and Aerodynamics
The Boeing 747-8 is an advanced development of the iconic 747, taking advantage of the latest improvements in technology and aerodynamics. This aircraft now boasts two variants, both of which feature a fuselage stretch of 18.3 feet (5.6 meters) over the 747-400, bringing the total length to an impressive 250 feet 2 inches (76.25 meters). Currently, the 747-8 stands as the world’s longest operational passenger airliner, surpassing the Airbus A340-600 by 3.1 feet (0.95 meters). With a maximum take-off weight of 975,000 pounds (442 tons), the 747-8 is also the heaviest aircraft, commercial or military, manufactured in the United States.
Compared to its predecessor, the 747-400, the 747-8’s wing design has been significantly overhauled. Although the sweep and basic structure were retained to avoid additional costs, the revised airfoil is thicker and deeper. The new wing incorporates single-slotted outboard flaps and double-slotted inboard flaps. Furthermore, the wing’s trailing edge and raked tip are constructed from carbon-fiber composites. This increased wingspan classifies the 747-8 as a Category F size airplane, similar to the Airbus A380.
The 747-8 employs raked wingtips, similar to those utilized on the 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 787 aircraft, instead of the winglets found on the 747-400. These wingtip structures help to reduce wingtip vortices at the lateral edges of the wings, which in turn decreases wake turbulence, drag, and ultimately improves fuel efficiency. Another effort to increase efficiency through weight savings was the introduction of fly-by-wire technology for the majority of the lateral controls.
The passenger version of the 747-8’s wing holds 64,225 US gallons (243 cubic meters) of jet fuel, while the cargo aircraft’s wing can store 60,925 US gallons (231 cubic meters). The extra fuel capacity in the redesigned wing allowed Boeing to avoid adding costly new tanks to the horizontal tail. The 747-8’s vertical tail unit remains largely unchanged, with a height of 63 feet 6 inches (19.35 meters).
The General Electric GEnx is the exclusive engine available for the 747-8. Unlike the GEnx introduced on the 787, the 747 engine variant provides bleed air and features a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing. This advanced and efficient engine contributes to the overall performance and fuel efficiency of the Boeing 747-8, making it a true masterpiece of aviation technology.
- Fuselage stretch of 18.3 feet (5.6 meters) over the 747-400, making it the world’s longest operational passenger airliner
- Maximum take-off weight of 975,000 pounds (442 tons), the heaviest aircraft manufactured in the U.S.
- Overhauled wing design with a thicker and deeper airfoil, single-slotted outboard flaps, and double-slotted inboard flaps
- Carbon-fiber composite used for the wing’s trailing edge and raked tip
- Increased wingspan, classifying the 747-8 as a Category F size airplane, similar to the Airbus A380
- Raked wingtips, which improve fuel efficiency by reducing wingtip vortices, drag, and wake turbulence
- Introduction of fly-by-wire technology for the majority of lateral controls
- Enhanced fuel capacity in the redesigned wing, eliminating the need for additional tanks in the horizontal tail
- Unchanged vertical tail unit, with a height of 63 feet 6 inches (19.35 meters)
- Exclusive use of the General Electric GEnx engine, which provides bleed air and features a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing
The Two Variants
The Boeing 747-8 has two variants, the 747-8F or Freighter, and the passenger version, the 747-8I Intercontinental.
The 747-8F Freighter, designed to maintain Boeing’s position in the air freight market, boasts a payload capability of 308,000 lb (140 t) and a range of 4,390 nautical miles (8,130 km). With four extra pallet spaces on the main deck, the 747-8F offers a 16% lower ton-mile operating cost than its predecessor, the 747-400F. Initial operators of the 747-8F have reported a 1% reduction in fuel burn over projections.
On the other hand, the passenger variant, 747-8 Intercontinental, or 747-8I, features a spacious cabin capable of accommodating up to 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. This aircraft is designed for long-haul flights, covering a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) at Mach 0.855. The 747-8I, compared to the 747-400, offers 16% better fuel efficiency, 13% lower seat-mile costs, and a 30% smaller noise footprint.
Both the 747-8F Freighter and the 747-8I Intercontinental share the advanced wing design and GEnx engine, which significantly contributes to their fuel efficiency. The 747-8I’s interior incorporates design elements from the 787, including a curved upper deck stairway, spacious main passenger entrance, and LED lighting system.
| Specification | 747-8I | 747-8F |
|---|---|---|
| Cockpit crew | Two | Two |
| Accommodation | 467 (356 Y, 87 J, 24 F) | 46 96×125″ pallets + 2 LD1 |
| Exit limit | 605 | 8 |
| Cargo volume | 6,345 cu ft (180.1 m³) | 30,832 cu ft (873.7 m³) |
| Length | 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m) | 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m) |
| Height | 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) | 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) |
| Wingspan | 224 ft 7 in (68.45 m) | 224 ft 7 in (68.45 m) |
| Wing | 554 m2 (5,960 sq ft), sweep 37.5°, 8.45 AR | 554 m2 (5,960 sq ft), sweep 37.5°, 8.45 AR |
| Cabin width | 20 ft (6.1 m) | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| MTOW | 987,000 lb (448 t) | 987,000 lb (448 t) |
| OEW | 485,300 lb (220.1 t) | 434,600 lb (197.1 t) |
| Max. payload | 167,700 lb (76.1 t) | 292,400 lb (132.6 t) |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.855 (490 kn; 908 km/h) | Mach 0.845 (485 kn; 898 km/h) |
| MMo | Mach 0.9 (516 kn; 956 km/h) | Mach 0.9 (516 kn; 956 km/h) |
| Range | 7,730 nmi (14,320 km) | 4,265 nmi (7,899 km) |
| Ceiling | 43,100 ft (13,100 m) | 43,100 ft (13,100 m) |
| Engines (4×) | 66,500 lbf (296 kN) GEnx-2B67 | 66,500 lbf (296 kN) GEnx-2B67 |
The End of the Boeing 747 Production
Production rates of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental have been reduced several times due to lower than expected demand. In 2016, Boeing confirmed a reduction in 747-8 production to half an aircraft per month, citing a stalled recovery in the air cargo market as the primary reason. However, the company still expected the cargo market to improve by mid-2019 and planned to increase production rates again. Despite this, in July 2016, the production rate increase was canceled, and Boeing announced an additional after-tax charge of $814 million.
The future for the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental appears limited, as airlines have favored the long-range capabilities of Boeing’s own 777 and the Airbus A380. The upcoming 777-9X “mini-jumbo jet” is projected to have lower fuel costs per seat mile and greater cargo capacity, making it a more attractive option for airlines that value fuel efficiency.
In recent years, very large aircraft with more than 400 seats have seen a slowdown in orders as widebody twinjets with similar range and greater fuel efficiency offer airlines more flexibility at a lower upfront cost. Despite this, Boeing has received orders for additional 747-8Fs from companies such as Volga-Dnepr Airlines and UPS Airlines.
As of early 2019, the backlog and production rates were sufficient to sustain production until late 2022. However, media reports in July 2020 stated that Boeing intends to end 747 production in 2022 after the outstanding orders are built and delivered. The demand for four-engine airliners has been flat for several years, with most orders going to the freighter version. The last Boeing 747-8 aircraft, a freighter for Atlas Air, rolled off the production line on December 6, 2022, and was delivered on January 31, 2023.
After more than half a century, the production of the iconic Boeing 747 has come to an end, but this doesn’t mark the disappearance of the 747 from our skies. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Air China continue to operate the passenger version of the 747-8. In my opinion, the 747-8 remains the most stunning passenger aircraft in existence. Its elegance and majesty truly earn it the title of “Queen of the Skies.” There will never be another aircraft quite as distinctive as the Boeing 747, particularly its latest variant, the 747-8.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
