Lufthansa introduced the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in passenger service.
Lufthansa operated the first passenger service of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in June 2012. The German airline had ordered the new passenger version and used it to introduce Boeing’s latest and final 747 generation to scheduled travelers.
The 747-8 Intercontinental has a longer fuselage than earlier passenger 747 versions, along with a redesigned wing, improved engines, and updated cabin systems. It is powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines. The freighter version entered service earlier, with Cargolux, so passenger introduction and overall 747-8 introduction are separate milestones.
The aircraft is sometimes confused with the 747-400 because both have a similar overall layout. The 747-8 can be identified by its longer fuselage, raked wingtips, and newer wing design. Lufthansa’s first passenger flight marked the beginning of the type’s airline career.