42 Years Later, Boeing Rolls out New 747

Boeing unvelis 747-8 Intercontinental

About 42 years after the first 747 took to the skies, an updated version of the iconic aircraft was rolled out of a Boeing facility. Known as the 747-8 Intercontinental, this redesign will compete with the Airbus 380, with its ability to move a lot more people.

Now only can the new -8 model carry 467 passengers, it can do it at greater fuel efficiencies and with added passenger comfort. The Airbus 380 in comparison has a capacity of about 525 passengers.

The $300+ million aircraft was rolled out to a crowed of about 10,000 employees and their families at the Boeing plant near Seattle. The new model has a stretched fuselage which, now 19 feet longer than the A380, helps it regain its title as the world’s largest passenger aircraft. The -8 also has new wings, upgraded engines, and a technologically advanced cockpit.

Boeing’s first customer is a private individual, not yet named, but the company does have orders for 33 aircraft in passenger carrying configurations from Lufthansa and Korean Air Lines. The first delivery for passenger service is expected in 2012.