Boeing's 747-8 takes flight

Relevant offers

World

Spoof Qantas Twitter account shut down US financial crisis chair quits mortgage firm Apple shares break above US$500 Moody's warns France, UK, others over ratings Murdoch battle looms over Sun showdown NZ called a haven for illegal Indian cash Riots as Greece approves austerity Greece strikes bailout deal Gunns keen for NZ investment to fire up mill Telstra profit soars 23 pct on mobiles

Boeing flew for the first time its twice-delayed 747-8 Freighter, a significant milestone in the history of the legendary 747 family and a step that could bolster the credibility of the world's second-largest plane maker.

The takeoff on Monday started what was scheduled to be a three- to four-hour test flight near Boeing's factories around Seattle, Washington.

Boeing twice delayed the first flight of the 747-8 last year, most recently moving a planned fourth-quarter flight to early 2010 and first delivery to the fourth quarter of 2010.

The 747-8 Freighter, about 18 feet longer than the 747-400, had been launched in November 2005 and was originally scheduled to start delivering in the fourth-quarter of 2009.

The company took a $1 billion charge related to the 747-8 in the third quarter of 2009 because of high production costs and tough market conditions.

Boeing, which has 108 orders for 747-8s -- 76 for its freighter model and 32 for the passenger model -- on its books at list prices between $293 million and $308 million, gets paid by customers at delivery.

The 747 family has been in the air since 1969 and is Boeing's biggest and most recognizable commercial plane.

The 747-8 uses new engine and wing designs, boasts greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs than the Airbus A380, its closest rival, Boeing says. The Freighter model can carry 16 percent more cargo than the previous 747 model, while the Intercontinental can carry 51 more passengers.

The freighter's test flight comes on the heels of a successful test flight of the 787 Dreamliner in December.

Though not nearly as innovative or fuel-efficient as the revolutionary carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner, the 747-8 shares technology with the higher-profile plane.

Boeing's reputation has been bruised by two years of Dreamliner delays. That plane finally flew for the first time in December.

- Reuters