The aircraft had 20 crewmembers and 313 passengers onboard. Lufthansa’s 747-8Is have 362 seats in three classes: 8 in first class, 92 in business and 262 in economy.
As a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental launch customer, Lufthansa is now operating the first 747-8I revenue flight. Lufthansa will operate flight LH416 on the Frankfurt to Washington DC route 6 times a week.
The 747-8I features new fuel-efficient GE Aviation GEnx-2B engines that help to reduce noise, fuel burn, and emissions. The aircraft also features modern wings with improved aerodynamics as well as fly-by-wire technology.
In comparison to the 747-400, the aircraft has a 30% noise reduction and uses 15% less fuel. Lufthansa Group chairman and CEO, Christoph Franz, said the 747-8I is
not only in line with our company's commitment to innovation, technology and efficiency, but … also offers qualities and features that are sure to maximize our passengers' in-flight experience.
With Lufthansa’s 747-8I in service, Boeing is confident that 747-8I’s presence in the market will be boosted, leading to more orders. Elizabeth Lund, the 747 program manager at Boeing said,
We have several campaign activities running and we see how this will turn out. Next year Korean Air Lines and Air China are the next deliveries of the passenger version beside Lufthansa.
