Intercontinental, Freighter Land At Le Bourget For Paris Air Show

The newest member of the Boeing family of commercial jetliners made its international air show debut when the first 747-8 Intercontinental touched down at Paris Le Bourget Airport Sunday. Senior Boeing leaders, U.S. government officials, show organizers and media were on hand to welcome the airplane and its crew when they arrived at Le Bourget after an approximately 10-hour flight from Seattle. The airplane took off at 1438 PDT time and landed at 0930 local time in Paris.

Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Landing Paris

The 747-8 Intercontinental flew at Mach 0.85 and traveled approximately 4,400 nautical miles. It is the newest member of the 747 family. The airplane, one of five Boeing jetliners that will be on display at Paris, will be at the show until Tuesday, June 21, when it will return to flight test activity. On the opening day of the show, planemaker announced orders and commitments for 17 747-8 Intercontinentals. Placed by two undisclosed customers, the combined deals are valued at $5.4 billion at list prices. One carrier has committed to 15 of the new passenger version of the 747-8 while another carrier placed an order for two.

"These orders for the 747-8 Intercontinental mark a major milestone for the program and demonstrate the market's need for an airplane of its size and range," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It will play a valuable role in further growing these carriers long-haul route networks."

747-8 Freighter Arriving Paris

A second 747-8, this one a freighter, landed at Le Bourget Monday. Boeing said the flight first was the first transatlantic flight of a large commercial airplane with all engines burning a sustainable aviation jet fuel.

The airplane, piloted by Boeing pilots Capt. Keith Otsuka and Capt. Rick Braun and Cargolux Capt. Sten Rossby, flew from Everett, WA, to Le Bourget with all four of its General Electric GEnx-2B engines powered by a blend of 15 percent camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85 percent traditional kerosene Jet A fuel. No changes were made to the airplane, its engines or operating procedures prior to departure. Normal flight parameters were followed and approved in advance by the FAA.

Capt. Mark Feuerstein, Boeing chief pilot for the 747 program, was at the controls of the airplane when it landed. He was joined by co-pilots Capt. Steve Taylor, president of Boeing Business Jets; Capt. Rene Gonzalez, BBJ chief pilot; and Capt. Kirk Vining of Boeing Flight Test and Evaluation.

The orders bring the 747-8 Intercontinental total backlog to 50 firm aircraft, plus five from a commitment from Air China contingent on Chinese Government approval.  It also brings the total 747-8 backlog, including 76 747-8 Freighters, to 126.

FMI: www.boeing.com