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3 hours ago
The Lufthansa Group has continued with the modernisation of its aircraft fleet with the delivery of its 16th Boeing 747-8.
The aircraft landed as scheduled at its future home airport in Frankfurt earlier.
Following a nine-hour transfer flight from Seattle, the newest ‘Queen of the Skies’ joined Lufthansa’s jumbo fleet, replacing an older Boeing 747-400, which is being decommissioned.
The ‘Dash Eight’, with the tail number D-ABYR, is one of four brand new aircraft of this type that Lufthansa will acquire in 2015.
Over the coming months, the state-of-the-art jets will arrive in Frankfurt one-by-one.
In addition to the four Boeing 747-8s, Lufthansa will take delivery of two Airbus A380s, ten aircraft from the A320 family and a Boeing 777F freighter for Lufthansa Cargo.
After its cabin has been fitted by Lufthansa Technik in Frankfurt and it has obtained its operating certificate, the ‘Yankee Romeo’ will enter scheduled service in mid-February.
Its first destination is expected to be New York.
The capital expenditure on a Boeing 747-8 long-haul aircraft with the latest technology and top travel comfort totals more than US$350 million at list prices.
And, with more than 220 Lufthansa staff members involved, the employment effect is the same as that of a medium-sized company.
The arrival of the new aircraft in the Lufthansa Group’s fleet will mean a clear reduction in noise emissions and kerosene consumption of its aircraft in use.
The Boeing 747-8, for example, is much more eco-efficient.
With their state-of-the-art engines, these aircraft consume less kerosene and improve fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions per passenger by 15 per cent, while their noise footprint is 30 per cent lower.
The Lufthansa Group’s aircraft fleet is currently undergoing a fundamental renewal.
The new aircraft also offer increased travel comfort.
For example, passengers onboard the 747-8 can experience the new Business Class, with seats that convert into horizontal beds at the touch of a button.
In addition to outstanding comfort the new Business Class offers additional storage space and, with 15 inch screens, it offers a significantly improved individual entertainment system.
First Class provides passengers with an exclusive travel experience due to its exterior insulation and seats that convert into beds measuring 6.9 feet in length and 2.7 feet in width.
Passengers in Economy Class can also travel in comfort to their destinations as a result of improved seats; while in the recently introduced Premium Economy Class, increased legroom and a greater seat pitch await passengers.
