Lufthansa's first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental at Paine Field on March 22nd.
Last week I posted an aerial photo of Lufthansa’s first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental at Paine Field. Many have been asking “what’s up with the livery?” It hast he blue tail and gray bottom, but no Lufthansa lettering or logo. Here’s your answer:
“This aircraft is carrying a “partial” Lufthansa livery, because it will be used for test flight purposes, during which it is still owned and operated by Boeing,” Martin Riecken, Director of Corporate Communications in the Americas for Lufthansa explains. “After the test program (approx. 300 flight hrs) is completed, it will get the missing Lufthansa livery (logotype, crane etc.) in October.”
So there we go, mystery solved. Can’t wait to see the plane in full livery.
Image: moonm
That excuse makes no sense whatsoever. They have been flying plenty of test flights in a 787 with ANA livery, and I find it unlikely ANA has already paid for the planes, so they are still owned by Boeing.
Boeing nor Lufthansa are going into more details, but I am sure the fact that ZA002 sat on the ground in Texas as the on board fire with ANA livery on it might have had an influence: https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/11/video-boeings-second-787-dreamliner-za002-has-emergency-landing-due-to-smoke/
Hadn’t though about that, but that still means their excuse isn’t really truthful.
Well, to be fair, that is totally my assumption, by no means anything official from Boeing or the airline. Who knows, it could be part of the purchasing deal. “Hey for only $10,000 extra we will fly your titles around during testing.”
I would like to see more airline order this wonderful B747-8.
It’s good that Boeing went sole source supplier with GE for the 748 engines.
Rolls Royce are unable to make reliable engines.
Qantas and Singapore airlines A380s were grounded because of Trent 900 series problems. Cathay Pacific airlines A330s grounded because of T800 problems.
Rolls ROyce almost drove Lockheed into bankrupcy with their L1011/RB211 engine problems. 787 / T1000 explosion in the Derby test cell.
As well, the RR triple spool design consumes more fuel than twin spool GE /Pratt in climb out, cruise, descent and idle according to ICAO Aircraft Emissions Databank.
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=702