Exactly 11 years ago today, on June 1, 2012, German national flag carrier Lufthansa flew its first revenue-making Boeing 747-8 flight. Lufthansa had taken delivery of the aircraft at a ceremony held at Boeing's Everett, Washington, Production Facility on May 4, 2012. Lufthansa then flew the "Queen of the Skies from Paine Field Airport (PAE) to its main operating base at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Germany. On the ten-hour ten-minute flight, the aircraft performed a touch-and-go landing at Hamburg Airport (HAM) in northern Germany.

The aircraft registered as D-ABYA contains eight first class seats in the front of the plane on the main deck, followed by 92 business class seats split between the upper and main decks, and 258 economy class seats. On the aircraft, Lufthansa debuted its new lie-flat business class seats.

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 taking off at Haneda Airport.
Photo: Masahiro TAKAGI via Wikimedia Commons.

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Lufthansa placed an order for 20 Boeing 747-8s

Lufthansa planned to use the 747-8 to replace its older 747-400s, as they could carry 50 passengers more than the older version. When Lufthansa placed its order for 20 Boeing 747-8s with the American plane maker, Boeing promised to deliver five planes per year up until 2015. The five jets arriving in 2012 were selected to fly on Lufthansa's routes from Frankfurt to the following airports:

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
  • Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
  • Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The inaugural flight lasted 7hs 58mins

Lufthansa's first revenue-making Boeing 747-8 flight LH416 took off from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on June 1, 2012, at 09:50. Onboard the aircraft was Lufthansa's CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Dr. Christoph Franz, accompanied by Boeing vice president and general manager of the 747 Program, Elizabeth Lund.

The flight touched down at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in northern Virginia after a seven-hour fifty-eight-minute Atlantic crossing and was due to depart back to Frankfurt at 17:55, arriving back in Germany at 08:05 the following day. Lufthansa planned to offer six weekly flights between Frankfurt and Washington, excluding Tuesdays.

Lufthansa and Boeing talk about the Boeing 747-8

When speaking in a Boeing statement about the Boeing 747-8, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG Dr. Christoph Franz said:

"The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is an exceptional aircraft. With its addition to our fleet, Lufthansa has created a product that is not only in line with our company's commitment to innovation, technology, and efficiency but that also offers qualities and features that are sure to maximize our passengers' in-flight experience. Travelers to and from Washington, DC are in for a memorable flight, and Lufthansa looks forward to expanding our 747-8 Intercontinental service to other US markets in the coming months."

Boeing vice president and general manager of the 747 Program Elizabeth Lund, added:

"It is such an honor to join Lufthansa in welcoming the 747-8 Intercontinental into service. Lufthansa has provided great inspiration and leadership in helping us design a new Queen of the Skies for the 21st Century, an airplane that Lufthansa will love for its efficiency and reliability, airport neighbors will love for its quiet operations and low emissions, and passengers will love for its beautiful new interior and extra space."

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-800 parked at an airfield.
Photo: Aero Icarus via Flickr.

According to the aviation statistics and data website, ch-aviation, Lufthansa currently has 19 Boeing 747-8s in service. The plane that performed the inaugural flight between Frankfurt and Washington D-ABYA has accumulated 44,132.00 flight hours and 4,961 flight cycles since being delivered to Boeing in May 2012. Over the past week (at the time of writing), the aircraft has flown from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to the following destinations:

  • Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)
  • Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
  • São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)

The aircraft is currently at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa, preparing for the return flight to Germany.

Sources: Boeing and ch aviation.

  • Tom Boon-169
    Lufthansa
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LH/DLH
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport
    Year Founded:
    1953
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    Airline Group:
    Lufthansa Group
    CEO:
    Carsten Spohr
    Country:
    Germany
  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker