With launch dates 20 years apart, the Boeing 747-8 is the update to the iconic 747-400.
With the immense popularity of the -400, Boeing had hoped for the same levels of success for
the newer -8. The newer model hasn’t seen that success, despite being better in every
way. Let’s look at the two models of 747 and the difference that 20 years of innovation
can produce.
At first glance, you might notice the more obvious differences between the two variants:
The engines of the newer -8 have engine cowlings with serrated edges, and where there was once
a small winglet on the -400, no winglet exists on the -8.
While the overall shape of the two 747s may look similar to one another, some dimensions
have changed. The -8 actually has a larger wingspan, longer fuselage, as well as an extended
upper-deck.
The 747-8 has an additional 3.5 meters of wingspan, is 5.6 meters longer, and actually
10 centimeters taller! For passenger versions, the 747-8 offers 51
additional seats over the 747-400. For the freighter variant, the 5.6 meters of extra
fuselage length, means the -8 offers 16% more revenue cargo volume.
While the 747-400 has three engine options from General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, or
Rolls-Royce, the 747-8 exclusively uses the General Electric GEnx, which is the same engine
used on the 787. This much newer engine has a much higher bypass-ratio.
It also features composite fan blades and a composite fan case. This means the -8 is
16% more fuel-efficient with a 30% smaller noise footprint.
With advances in materials technology, engineering, and manufacturing, the -8 requires less maintenance
than its predecessor. The maintenance intervals are longer, which means less time on the ground
compared to the -400.
Here is a chart comparing the two types of 747s:
Outside of the technical characteristics and specifications of the two jumbo jets, the
number of orders of the two models varies greatly. For the 747-400 and all of its variants,
a total of 694 were ordered. This overshadows the mere 137 deliveries of
the 747-8. There are 16 more undelivered 747-8s. Therefore, the new jumbo jet will never come
close to the -400. Furthermore, the ratio of freighter orders
to passenger-variant orders is much higher with the -8. Some of its more notable customers
have been cargo operators such as UPS.
In comparison, the 747-400 became the choice for many passenger airlines and their long-haul
operations, including British Airways, KLM, Qantas, Japan Airlines, and many more.
While a lot has changed with the newer -8, it’s worth mentioning that there are many
similarities between the two models, which include type rating, loading capabilities,
and flight handling characteristics. Having many of these commonalities was critical
for Boeing in order to market the aircraft to passenger and cargo airlines that already
had the -400 in their fleets. This can be clearly seen with commercial airlines like
Lufthansa and Korean Air. Interestingly, both variants have been selected
by governments for VVIP transport. The Government of South Korea had used the 747-400 as its
“Code One” presidential jet and will use the -8 for the same purpose next year. Additionally,
the United States Government is currently working on retrofitting two -8s to be the
new Air Force One. Sadly, the most significant similarity is
that both jets have fallen out of favor with passenger airlines as they seek the higher
fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs found with twin-jets.
With recent events, airlines like KLM have said their final goodbyes to the 747-400 for
passenger operations, and British Airways is in the process of phasing out its fleet
as well.
Earlier this month we discovered that Boeing will end production of this iconic jet, truly
marking the end of an era.
What is your favorite thing about the 747? Let us know in
the comments.