by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 12, 2012 | Airlines |
As we get closer to the debut of Lufthansa’s 747-8i which should happen in April based on latest projections, I though I would share this video from Boeing. The statistics behind the paint are amazing. Statistics such as the paint coat being as thin as a human hair are hard to fathom. The “several hundred kilos” of paint that are used is another impressive number. Hope you enjoy!
Before you ask, Lufthansa has not yet made any public announcements regarding the first route that will be flown by the new 747. I suspect that they will rotate the 747-8i on various routes to show it off around the world. There will be another one delivered shortly after the first one is handed over so there is a good chance you’ll be able to see one or be on one sooner than later!
They did this kind of “route tour” with the A380 and I suspect they may follow a similar plan with the 747-8i. Eventually 20 of them will cover the globe.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxbZpSXNvI[/youtube]
Related Posts on Lufthansa’s 747-8i:
Lufthansa 747-8i: Pictures From Frankfurt
Lufthansa’s 747-8i Visits Frankfurt For Testing
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 11, 2012 | Airlines |
Over the past few days, information has been coming from Lufthansa regarding a major initiative it is embarking upon that will lead to an annual savings of Euro 1.4 billion (1.84 billion US Dollars) by 2015.
In communications to its employees, Lufthansa stated the savings will be recognized by creating more efficient administrative processes, a reduction of overhead and by optimizing purchasing programs throughout the entire organization. A previous cost reduction initiative focused only on passenger airline operations where as this new program, referred to as SCORE (Synergies, Costs, Organization, Revenues, Execution), is targeting the entire Lufthansa empire which includes Austrian Airlines, Swiss International, Brussels Airlines and Germanwings. Also included in the program will be Technik, LSG Skychefs (catering) and other subsidiary companies and divisions. The goal of the program will be to increase operating margins beyond 3%.
In a company newsletter released to employees on February 10, Lufthansa’s Chief Executive Officer Christoph Franz cited competition from low cost European carriers and Middle East Airlines as primary motivators for the initiatives. Among his comments, he stated “We no longer have a tail wind”.
Another key motivator for this initiative is that by attaining these savings and efficiencies, Lufthansa will then be able to justify and afford a Euro 9 billion (11.8 billion US Dollars) capital investment into the company over the next 3 years.
I’m sure I’ll have more information to add as Lufthansa rolls out the program over the coming weeks and months.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 11, 2012 | Uncategorized |
Thanks to my friends at Lufthansa, I have been able to put together a chronicle of the history of this great airline. As a result, I will post a piece of Lufthansa history any time that it celebrates an anniversary.
On February 11th in Lufthansa History:
1955 – Lufthansa signs a preliminary contract with Boeing for the purchase of 4 Boeing 707-400s. The price per aircraft was DM 22 million. This equated to 5.23 million US dollars at the time. In today’s dollars it would be the equivalent of approximately $42.3 million per aircraft. Today, a new Boeing 737-600 lists for $59.4 million dollars. These would become Lufthansa’s first jet aircraft to join her fleet. The first Lufthansa 707 rolled out of ‘final assembly’ in November of 1959.
