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Boeing 747-8

Boeing · Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)

Boeing 747-8 — Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation
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The Boeing 747-8 is the fourth and final generation of the iconic Boeing 747 family — and the last four-engine wide-body airliner ever produced. Launched in 2005 as a competitor to the Airbus A380, the 747-8 stretched the fuselage by 18 feet 4 inches over the 747-400, fitted new GEnx-2B67 engines borrowed from the 787 Dreamliner, and added new wing technology and cabin features. It first flew in February 2010 (freighter) and entered passenger service with Lufthansa in June 2012.

Two variants were produced. The 747-8F (Freighter) accounts for the majority of orders — its 140-tonne payload, distinctive nose cargo door, and main-deck cargo capacity make it the world's largest production cargo aircraft, beloved by express carriers and long-haul charter operators. The 747-8I (Intercontinental) passenger variant carried 410 passengers in three-class seating and a range of 8,000 nautical miles, but failed to sell at scale — only 47 were built before passenger production ended in 2017.

Total 747-8 production reached 155 aircraft (107 freighters + 47 passenger + the prototype) before the line closed on 31 January 2023 with the delivery of a 747-8F to Atlas Air. The end of 747 production marked the close of a 53-year manufacturing run that began with the 747-100 in 1969 — a span across the entire jet age. The US presidential aircraft VC-25B Air Force One, currently under conversion at Boeing's San Antonio facility, is based on the 747-8I airframe and will be among the type's last operators when it enters service later in the 2020s.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Boeing 747-8 is a huge passenger and cargo plane. It is the last of the famous 747 family, which has been flying since the 1960s. Boeing launched this new version in 2005 to compete with another giant plane, the Airbus A380.

The 747-8 is longer than older 747s. Boeing stretched the body by more than 18 feet. It also got brand-new engines borrowed from the 787 Dreamliner. These engines help the plane fly farther and use less fuel.

Two types were made. The cargo version, called the 747-8F, can carry a massive load of up to 140 tonnes. It has a special nose door that opens up so big items can be loaded inside. It is the largest cargo plane ever built for regular use. The passenger version could carry 410 people and fly 8,000 nautical miles without stopping.

The 747-8 first flew in February 2010. Passengers first flew on it with Lufthansa in June 2012. Only 155 of these planes were ever built. The very last one was delivered on January 31, 2023.

Fun Facts

  • The 747-8 is longer than older 747-400s by more than 18 feet — that is bigger than most living rooms!
  • The cargo version can carry up to 140 tonnes — heavier than 20 fully grown elephants!
  • The 747-8 got its new engines from the 787 Dreamliner program.
  • Only 47 passenger versions were ever built before that model stopped in 2017.
  • The very last 747-8 ever made was delivered to Atlas Air on January 31, 2023.
  • The 747-8 can fly 8,000 nautical miles without stopping — nearly halfway around the Earth!
  • A total of 155 Boeing 747-8 planes were built before the production line closed for good.

Kids’ Questions

What makes the 747-8 different from older 747s?

The 747-8 has a longer body and brand-new engines. The engines were borrowed from the 787 Dreamliner. New wing technology was added too. These changes helped the plane fly farther and more smoothly.

What does the cargo version of the 747-8 do?

The cargo version, called the 747-8F, carries huge amounts of goods around the world. It has a special door at the nose that opens wide. This lets workers load very large items inside. It is the biggest cargo plane ever made for regular use.

Why did Boeing stop making the 747-8?

Not enough airlines wanted to buy the passenger version. Only 47 passenger planes were sold. After 155 planes were built in total, the factory closed in early 2023.

Variants

747-8I (Intercontinental)
Passenger variant. 410 seats three-class, 8,000 nm range. 47 built; passenger production ended 2017.
747-8F (Freighter)
140-tonne payload freighter with main-deck nose cargo door. 107 built; the type's commercial mainstay.
VC-25B (Air Force One)
Two-aircraft US presidential transport conversion based on 747-8I airframes; in conversion at Boeing San Antonio.

Notable Operators

Lufthansa
Largest passenger 747-8I operator; uses the type on long-haul transatlantic and Asia routes.
Korean Air, Air China
Other major 747-8I operators.
UPS, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Cargolux, AirBridgeCargo
Major 747-8F freighter operators.
United States Air Force (planned, VC-25B)
Two aircraft for presidential transport, in conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Boeing 747 stop production?

The final 747 — a 747-8F for Atlas Air — was delivered on 31 January 2023, ending a 53-year production run that began with the 747-100 in 1969. The 747 family is the longest-produced wide-body airliner in history.

How many 747-8s were built?

Boeing built 155 747-8s in total: 107 freighters, 47 passenger aircraft (plus the prototype). The type was outsold roughly 5:1 by the slightly larger Airbus A380 in the very-large-aircraft (VLA) segment, and both lines have since closed.

Boeing 747-8 vs Airbus A380: which is better?

The A380 carries more passengers (525 vs 410 in three-class) and has a slightly larger cabin; the 747-8 is more fuel-efficient per seat in freighter form, opens at the nose for outsize cargo, and is supported by a much larger spares ecosystem. Both are out of production. The 747-8F has outlived the A380 commercially because no other in-production airliner can swallow main-deck outsize freight through a nose door.

Is Air Force One a Boeing 747-8?

The current presidential aircraft are two VC-25A models based on the older 747-200B; they entered service in 1990. The replacement aircraft, designated VC-25B, are two converted 747-8I airframes currently being modified at Boeing's San Antonio facility. Service entry has been repeatedly delayed; latest target is 2027–2029.

Why is the Boeing 747 called the 'Queen of the Skies'?

The nickname dates from the 747-100's 1970 introduction, when its size, double-decker forward fuselage, and four-engine elegance made it visually iconic. The aircraft also commercially democratised long-haul travel by enabling lower per-seat costs than any previous airliner. The name has stuck across all four generations.

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