The first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental (A7-HHE) sits next to ANA's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner (JA801A) in September 2011 at Paine Field. Photo by Jon Ostrower.
Tomorrow, the very first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will be delivered to its owner, but who is it? There have been many rumors and guesses about the plane’s owner, but nothing has officially been announced. Boeing is not talking and even though the delivery event is scheduled for tomorrow morning, there is no plan to announce the owner tomorrow and that the owner will not be present during the event. We know that the 747-8I is a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and most rumors have speculated that the aircraft is going to a head of some government.
I have gathered enough information and feel confident in announcing that the owner of the first 747-8 Intercontinental will be Qatar Amiri Flight, which is a VIP airline owned by the government of Qatar. According to Wikipedia, they operate, “worldwide charters on demand and caters exclusively to the royal family of Qatar and other VIP government staff.” Qatar Amiri Flight currently has two 747-8I’s on order.
The delivery event is set to start at about 11:00am PST tomorrow, the 28th and I am told the aircraft should depart by Noon. Make sure to follow me on Twitter and the hashtag #7478VIP as is covered live.
Image: Jon Ostrower aka the Flight Blogger
Given the registration, it is most certainly going to Qatar Amiri.
From Qatar, that’s a ride to just about anywhere. Of course, any of the aircraft in that picture could do that, but not with the floor space — that thing’s gonna be a high-speed palace of note.
When is Lufthansa Getting it’s first 747-8?
We are told it is supposed to be in March sometime.
David
I just checked Wikipedia and its said Lufthansa already had one 747-8
I can promise you that Lufthansa does not have a Boeing 747-8I yet.
David
When you find errors on Wikipedia, you can correct them.
Not sure what I find more interesting in that photo. The 748, the 788 or the VOR.
Great stuff David! Wish you had live streaming going…that would be cool. 🙂
Lufthansa has been operating the freighter version of the 747-8 for a little while now. As David mentioned, they do not yet have a 747-8I. No need to change anything on Wikipedia, folks – just be more descriptive with your questions / answers. 🙂
Lufthansa didn’t order 747-8F aircraft.
The second delivered 747-8I will be the first for Lufthansa (D-ABYA)and will become the first active 747-8I.
A7-HHE landed at YVR around 1.30pm (local). – 28-02-12