First 747-8I for delivery completes maiden sortie

Boeing on 30 January completed the maiden flight of its first 747-8 Intercontinental, which is destined for a private Boeing Business Jet customer.

The flight, operated by Boeing test pilots, was conducted to evaluate the aircraft's systems. Additional test and customer flights will follow.

Registered A7-HHE for its Qatari Government customer, the aircraft is expected to be delivered this month, say programme sources.

The first delivery of the 747-8 had initially been planned for late 2011, but post-certification rework caused the delivery to slide into early 2012.

The first airline configured 747-8 for Lufthansa is expected to be delivered in March. Lufthansa's new 747-8s will be configured with 386 seats, including its new business class seat.