Boeing Launches Stretched 747 as Rival to Airbus A380

Boeing has introduced a new version of its 747 aircraft, a stretched 747-8, as a counter-attack against Airbus' A380 super jumbo. The 747-8 will initially be released as a freighter with 18 firm orders from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines, worth $5 billion. Boeing aims to attract airlines that have not yet ordered the 555-seat A380, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines.

Key Takeaways:

• The 747-8 is a stretched version of the 747, with a capacity of 450 seats, and will be introduced as a freighter with 18 firm orders worth $5 billion from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
• The 747-8 is being launched as a counter-attack against Airbus' A380 super jumbo, which has won 159 firm orders and commitments.
• Boeing has not yet found a launch customer for the 450-seat passenger version of the 747-8, but is in discussions with British Airways, which operates an all-Boeing fleet of long-haul aircraft.
• Alan Mulally, head of Boeing's commercial aircraft division, predicts that the 747-8 will win more than half of all orders for 400-seat-plus commercial aircraft over the next 20 years.
• Boeing believes the 747-8 will hit a "sweet spot" for airline customers, who want bigger passenger jets but do not want them at the scale of the A380.
• Singapore Airlines will be the first to enter service with the A380 in December 2006, while the 747-8 is expected to enter service next year.

Statistics:

• The 747-8 has 18 firm orders from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines worth $5 billion.
• The A380 has won 159 firm orders and commitments.
• The 787 Dreamliner has won 305 orders and commitments.
• Boeing's order backlog is significant, but Airbus is expected to hold the lead in deliveries until at least 2007.
• The A380 will enter service with Singapore Airlines in December 2006, while the 747-8 is expected to enter service next year.

Sources:

• The article cites no specific sources or publication dates.