Buyer Anonymous, Thought To Be State Of Qatar

Things are bad, but apparently they're not bad all over. Boeing has just delivered the first passenger version of its enormous new 747-8 to an anonymous customer, who's taking it to a completion center to be decked out as a personal VIP transport. Reuters reports the plane will be transformed into a "jewel in the sky."

Boeing dispensed with the typical level of media hype for this delivery in a reported effort to avoid revealing the identity of the buyer. But industry insiders think it's headed for Qatar.

In VIP trim with an optional loft, which this first plane will have, the VIP-configured 747-8 offers a total of 5,179 square feet of cabin space.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh commented, "This is a great day for Boeing. The 747 is the most iconic airplane in the world, and I know customers are going to love what we've done to enhance its performance. The Intercontinental is fast, efficient and quiet, offering real savings and a great flying experience. And I believe it's one of the most beautiful airplanes in the sky."

It may be all those things, but it's also a year behind schedule, in part because it has not met weight and performance projections. Boeing has promised tweaks that will allow the 747-8 to meet those targets in time for 2014 deliveries.

FMI: www.boeing.com