Paine Field (PAE/KPAE) Everett, WA - Sunday 20th March 2011 - 10:00am (local)

The shape may have been familiar with Joe Suter's 40 year old design but as Boeing's new
747-8 Intercontinental lifted off from Everett's 34L runway on her maiden flight the technology
involved was totally 21st century. The culmination of extensive ground testing saw Boeing's newest, and biggest ever airliner soar into grey skies over Washington State exactly on time.

New glass cockpit, GE Gen-Ex engines and a completely new wing design are just some of
the major changes that bring this classic design fully up to date. With 467 seats in a three-class configuration and a 14,815-km (8,000-nmi) range. The new 748-8 Intercontinental will provide airlines with 13 percent lower seat-mile costs than the 747-400 and be 10 percent lighter per seat than the larger Airbus A380. These important factors will allow airlines to compete in today's harsh economic times.

After touching down at Seattle's Boeing Field, Boeing declaired the first flight to be a complete success.

She will now begin a long series of testing and certification before the type enters service with launch cusomer
Lufthansa in June 2012.