B747-8 Live webcast 13 Feb @ 19h00 GMT

“….the dawning of the newest airplane for the 21st century.”

The Boeing 747 first took to the air on February 9, 1969.

Don’t you just love corporate spin and PR, chaps? :rolleyes:

From my inbox today:

Dear World Design Team Member,

We hope you enjoyed the live webcast of the new 747-8 Intercontinental premiere! If you missed it, complete and summary versions are archived on the website.

Everyone was surprised when we revealed the 747-8 Intercontinental in the new Sunrise livery. The Sunrise livery symbolizes prosperity, good fortune and the dawning of the newest airplane for the 21st century.

We’re now focused on preparations for the new 747-8 Intercontinental’s first flight. We expect the first flight to occur in early spring. When we have the exact date and time we’ll let you know so you can join us via the live webcast. In the meantime, look to http://www.newairplane.com/747/incredible/ for the latest information.

For additional Boeing Commercial Airplanes news, follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/boeingairplanes/.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Boeing

Ah yes, but the GE90-115B hasn’t been throwing great lumps of itself through the wings of Boeing 777s now, has it?

You’re realy pulling at straws Sekant. The GE90 engine has proven itself to be tremendously economical and realiable. The 115B had teething problems, as any new engine/variant does, but the overall dispatch reliability is not far short of perfect.
The GE90 achieved 99.95% and the GE90-115B is at 99.97% (Source: ATWOnline article)

Your assertion doesn’t seem to be supported by Boeing data, which indicates that the GE90-115B has the fewest “in flight shutdowns” of all 777 engines for the last 12 months…..and far less than any widely used 767 engine.

Expand you search. Multiple shutdowns, 6 for Air France alone in the span of 6 months in 2008, that required changing numerous engines and in a need to redesign specific parts. GE had to change the alloy of those parts. Among other things.

Other companies affected as well, if I recall well air Canada and Singapour. And the source of the issue was different in all three cases.

Considering the numerous mishaps of GE-90-115B and ensuing forced diversions, that must qualify as the statement of the day.

Your assertion doesn’t seem to be supported by Boeing data, which indicates that the GE90-115B has the fewest “in flight shutdowns” of all 777 engines for the last 12 months…..and far less than any widely used 767 engine.

After Quantas incident it would feel much safer flying a 777-300ER with GE-90 as powerplant !!

Considering the numerous mishaps of GE-90-115B and ensuing forced diversions, that must qualify as the statement of the day.

A strange one, at that.
As it happens, I tend to fly long-haul on routes that feature the A380. Obviously, I would not fly a circuitous route just to fly on one, but if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it.
I trust that’s clear.

You guys are arguing a moot point 😉

Again we’re back to limiting destinations to only a few places. If I wanted to fly to New York, I’d have to go to Heathrow, then to Dubai, then to New York. Right?

To say “I’d only fly on an A380” is preposterous (Sp?) – That’s like saying “I’ll only walk on black pavement” when 99% of the pavement in your locality is grey paving slabs!

The couple meant that they would choose an airline that flew the A380 on their intended route, if it were possible, as opposed to one that did not.
In that sense, they could ‘choose’ an A380, as I do whenever I fly down under.

In that case, next time I fly on American to ORD from Manchester, I’ll request an A380!

All you’ve done is prove the point of the passenger knows nothing, did hey really think they could “request” an aircraft for a flight?

I suppose I should have pointed out that the couple meant long-haul.

I spoke with an Australian couple who were flying on an A380 for the first time and they said that they would always request the type in the future.

I’m going to try that next time to fly with BMI to Heathrow! After all, the A388 is quieter than an A319! :confused:

You believe wrong. Airlines operating 747s and 777s have not seen a drop in PAX numbers since the A380 came online.
Just because you think it’s so, doesn’t make it so.

After Quantas incident it would feel much safer flying a 777-300ER with GE-90 as powerplant !!

Just because you think it’s so, doesn’t make it so.

Why such a brusque tone? I was merely expressing a view.

I disagree. The A380 is very comfortable, very spacious and incredibly quiet – much more so than any other aircraft I have ever flown on. To long-haul passengers, that makes a huge difference and when you consider that an A380 ticket costs no more than one for anything else, it’s a no-brainer, really. On my last flight, I spoke with an Australian couple who were flying on an A380 for the first time and they said that they would always request the type in the future. These people were not enthusiasts but just appreciated the added comfort on the lengthy SIN-LHR sector.
That said, it could well be that the 747-8 is just as pleasant to fly in, which is one of the reasons I’d love to try one out.

Let’s be brutally honest about this.

Most passengers aren’t enthusiasts and couldn’t give a hoot about the type of aircraft they’re flying in, so long as they arrive at their destination reasonably on time and in tolerable comfort.

They sit on the inside, after all.

Hear Hear! Well said. The only thing I would add that you didn’t mention is price, most pax just want the cheapest price, at least until they get onboard, and then they demand service, comfort, etc.

As far as the airline, they want maximum revenue with minimum risk. Its hard to fill big airplanes, thus the very small number of VLA’s that have been ordered. Take away the “protected” airlines, and I’m not convinced there is a VLA market at all.

Well said Lance.

Let’s be brutally honest about this.

Most passengers aren’t enthusiasts and couldn’t give a hoot about the type of aircraft they’re flying in, so long as they arrive at their destination reasonably on time and in tolerable comfort.

They sit on the inside, after all.

If I am flying long-haul, I will only go by A380. It’s the same for many passengers, I believe.

You believe wrong. Airlines operating 747s and 777s have not seen a drop in PAX numbers since the A380 came online.
Just because you think it’s so, doesn’t make it so.