Boeing's newest, biggest 747 airliner made its commercial debut for Lufthansa on Friday, taking off from Frankfurt, Germany, to Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport.
It is scheduled to arrive in Washington at 12:45 p.m., local time.
The 747-8 Intercontinental is the passenger version of the stretched, updated 747-8. Lufthansa received the first airline Intercontinental on April 25 and celebrated the achievement May 1.
"The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is an exceptional aircraft," Christoph Franz, chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said in a news release.
With its addition to our fleet, Lufthansa has created a product that is not only in line with our company's commitment to innovation, technology and efficiency, but that also offers qualities and features that are sure to maximize our passengers' in-flight experience. Travelers to and from Washington, D.C. are in for a memorable flight and Lufthansa looks forward to expanding our 747-8 Intercontinental service to other U.S. markets in the coming months.
Franz boarded the flight, along with Elizabeth Lund, Boeing vice president and general manager of the 747 program, journalists, customers and partners. The airplane is scheduled to leave Washington on a return flight at 5:55 p.m., local time.
"It is such an honor to join Lufthansa in welcoming the 747-8 Intercontinental into service," Lund said in the news release
Lufthansa has provided great inspiration and leadership in helping us design a new Queen of the Skies for the 21st Century, an airplane that Lufthansa will love for its efficiency and reliability, airport neighbors will love for its quiet operations and low emissions, and passengers will love for its beautiful new interior and extra space.
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