While catching a ride in a Boeing Stearman, Seattle Photographer and NYCAviation Chief Correspondent Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren got a nice shot of the first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in full Lufthansa livery. Previously, we have seen another 747-8I in partial Lufthansa livery, missing her titles and logo. Interestingly, the registration number, D-ABYA, was used on Lufthansa’s very first Boeing 747-100 delivered on October 3, 1970. According to Lufthansa, the registration was created based on a specific pattern set for the airline. D represents Duetschland, A stands for an aircraft weighing over 20 tons, B is for Boeing, the Y stands for the aircraft type (V is the designation for the 747-400) and the final letter represents the actual aircraft and since this is the first to get a Lufthansa registry, it is A. According to the airline a name for the first 747-8 Intercontinental has not yet been decided.
Recently, the Boeing 747-8 Freighter won certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing is set to deliver the first 747-8F to Cargolux on September 19th and the second on the 21st. The 747-8I is still under going flight testing and the first is expected to be delivered to a private customer sometime later this year. Lufthansa is expected to take delivery of their first Intercontinental sometime in early 2012.
I am a fan of the simplistic Lufthansa livery, but if you are wondering what a retro scheme might look like on the 747-8 Intercontinental, someone has already done a mock up. I was able to find some additional photos of Lufthansa’s full-liveried 747-8I on Lufthansa’s website taken by Boeing. Click any for larger:
Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental inside the Boeing Factory.
Lufthansa 747-8I paint hangar roll out
A full liveried 747-8I rolls out of the paint hangar overnight.
A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I sits on the flight line at Paine Field.
This post was updated with additional photos and information.
She looks gorgeous. Great photos. I like the retro livery. Go Boeing!
Beautiful plane. I am a Delta elite flyer, but if I need to fly Lufthansa to sit in biz class on this plane I’m there. I’ve only been “upstairs” twice in the original 747. Well worth the money. Maybe Delta will buy a few?
Well i thought that this plane kindof looks like the Boeing 747-400.And i am an Qantas, Lufthansa, Emirates and delta flyer
the Boeing 747-8 Freighter won certification from the Federal Aviation Administration