Powered more efficiently than preceding 747s by a smaller version of the General Electric GEnx turbofan from the 787 Dreamliner, its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) grew to 975,000 pounds (442 t), the heaviest Boeing airliner. While keeping its basic structure and sweep, the wing is thicker and deeper, holding more fuel, and wider with raked wingtips.
Its fuselage is stretched by 18 feet (5.5 m) to 250 feet (76 m), making it the longest airliner until the 777X, which first flew in 2020. The cargo version was first delivered in October 2011 and the airliner began commercial service in June 2012. The first 747-8F Freighter performed its maiden flight on February 8, 2010, and the passenger 747-8I Intercontinental followed suit on March 20, 2011.
The stretched 747 Advanced was launched as the 747-8 on November 14, 2005, for a market forecast of 300 aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body airliner formerly developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and the largest variant of the 747.Īfter introducing the 747-400, Boeing considered larger 747 versions as alternatives to the proposed double-deck Airbus A3XX, later developed as the A380.
