Boeing's Intercontinental flies into the limelight

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Yada Yada

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theaustralian.news.com.au said:
Boeing's Intercontinental flies into the limelight

The longer range and more fuel-efficient 747-8 may just be what airlines such as Qantas are looking for, writes Geoffrey Thomas May 26, 2006

BOEING'S newest version of its 747 is turning heads at Qantas as the airline searches for solutions to reduce fuel costs while increasing the range capability of its fleet.

Qantas had been examining the Boeing 777-200LR, which can fly from London to Sydney with a payload of 250 passengers, but the return journey requires a fuel stop in Singapore for at least half the year because of headwinds.

According to Qantas sources, the 777 has been dropped from consideration. Also on the airline's radar is Sydney-Dallas non-stop capability to link into alliance partner American Airlines' headquarters and largest hub.

Last week, Boeing advised Qantas that the latest wind-tunnel tests for its new 747-8 Intercontinental have shown that the aircraft would have greater range than originally thought and would be capable of flying Dallas-Sydney all year.

For Qantas, which is facing soaring fuel costs, the 747-8 would appear to be a good solution, offering more range capability while cutting fuel costs.
While the A380, which will start operations for Qantas in May next year, will replace some 747s, Qantas is not planning to replace its older 747-300s and -400s with A380s.

Full Story...
The full story is worth a read if you have a moment. There is quite a bit of info about the aircraft design, especially the interior.
 
Yes some interesting information.

I am glad that QF has dropped consideration for the 777-200LR.

I can also understand that the 747-8 may be a good solution for assisting the airlines with soaring fuel costs by reducing fuel consumption and also increasing range capability. I can imagine a few people on this site would be very happy with the idea of non stop flights SYD-LHR or SYD-LAX and better still SYD-DFW.

Personally I would prefer to have a stopover or two. After 6 or 7 hours in a pressurised cabin I would like a chance to get out walk around, get my sanity back. The thought of spending 17 hours in the air non stop freaks me out. I would look for alternate routes to the non stop option.
 
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JohnK said:
I would look for alternate routes to the non stop option.

And stops along the way where the flight number changes are preferred:mrgreen:
 
oz_mark said:
And stops along the way where the flight number changes are preferred:mrgreen:

Not necessarily. Sometimes it is an advantage to have the single flight number - eg on a xONEx when it enables another flight segment to be added, or in some programs enables upgrade for the whole way for the same amount as each shorter leg separately.
 
Kiwi Flyer said:
Not necessarily. Sometimes it is an advantage to have the single flight number - eg on a xONEx when it enables another flight segment to be added, or in some programs enables upgrade for the whole way for the same amount as each shorter leg separately.
Another good example was my recent AA candy theft qualifying flight. By making it MEL-LHR on a single flight number, I received the 100% bonus miles for the entire flight distance.
 
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