The United Kingdom will continue its relationship with the Boeing 747 in the later part of the decade when the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter enter service.  

There had been a considerable degree of anticipation in the market for the 747 Advanced, as it was previously termed and the company had been in close consultation with operators to establish their requirements for an incrementally larger 747 that will continue enhance the profitability of current 747 fleets. This close dialogue with customers and the application of new and innovative technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, has enabled Boeing to create the 747-8 family, designated as such, to illustrate the technological connection with the 787 Dreamliner.

This 747-8 family meets airline requirements for a passenger aircraft that serves the 400- to 500-seat market between the 555-seat Airbus A380 and the 365-seat Boeing 777-300. The 747-8 is the only new generation large aircraft that fits the UK’s existing airport infrastructure, at bases such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. Giving airlines more flexibility, the 747-8 will use the same pilot type ratings, services and most ground support equipment and with a range of 8,335 nmi, the 747-8 Intercontinental can connect nearly any major city pair.

Boeing launched the aircraft in London on November 14, 2005 with firm orders for 18 747-8 Freighters; 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan.

Seat-mile costs for the 747-8 Intercontinental are 8 per cent lower than the 747-400, and with the aircraft being 13 per cent lighter per seat than the A380, it will consume 14 per cent less fuel per passenger, at the same time offering guaranteed QC2 departures.

The 747-8 family provides new revenue opportunities that will allow airlines to maximise profits. For example, the passenger aircraft has 34 additional seats to accommodate 450 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and also offer 21 per cent more cargo volume. The 747-8 Freighter offers a range of 8,275 km (4,475 nmi) and has 16 per cent more cargo volume than the 747-400, which allows it to hold seven additional pallets with the same nose-door loading capability.

The new SkyLoft area on the upper deck of the 747-8 Intercontinental gives operators the choice between additional main-deck seats or the opportunity to create a unique passenger experience with personal suites, a lounge or a business centre.  

Both aircraft represent a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and noise reduction, allowing airlines to lower fuel costs and fly to more airports at more times of the day.

Wing technology has been improving, in large part due to structural improvements.  The effective span of the wing is now higher and, when combined with the progress in cruise speed and drag reduction, provides a better lift/drag ratio.

The 747-8 Freighter enables operators to choose between carrying greater revenue payload – up to an additional 20 tonnes (23 tons) – or flying up to 1,400 nmi farther in markets where cargo density requirements are lower. The aircraft upholds its predecessor’s legendary efficiency, with equivalent trip costs and 15 per cent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400F. In fact, the 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential.

The Boeing and Airbus forecasts have their biggest disparity in the larger than 747 seat segment. Boeing is projecting only about 325 A380-size passenger aircraft, while Airbus is projecting 1,250. As a result, Airbus has been dedicating its resources to the A380, leaving a 200-seat gap between the much larger 300 and 500 seat market segments.