by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 29, 2015 | 747-8i, Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa |
Later this week, on April 30, Lufthansa will take delivery of their last-ever 747 aircraft. When D-ABYU takes off for her home in Frankfurt on April 30th, it will mark the 80th 747 that will have served for Lufthansa over the past 45 years. ‘Yankee Uniform’ will also be the 19th 747-8i that has joined the fleet since June 2012.
The first ever 747 joined the Lufthansa fleet on March 9, 1970. (Courtesy: Lufthansa)
I was there when the first 747-8i was unveiled in Frankfurt on June 1, 2012 and I’ve been on a delivery flight of an -8i when D-ABYT (The Retro Livery) was delivered this March. I’ve even been on a flight between Frankfurt and Washington DC where I was the only passenger in First Class. I’ve also managed to personally capture every one of Lufthansa’s 747-8i aircraft on ‘film’. Suffice to say I think I may have a 747-8i ‘problem’.
Aside from these experiences, I’ve flown aboard the 747-8i many times over the past 3 years and it has become my favorite aircraft by a wide margin. I’m not even sure if I have a second favorite aircraft.
It’s safe to say that I’ve grown attached to this model and I’m genuinely saddened by the fact that ‘YU’ marks the end of a tradition of new 4-engined Jumbo Jets in the LH fleet.
D-ABYU shows her Vortices when arriving in Paine Field after a test flight.
Over the numbers…..
Yes, we can look forward to the 777s and A350s joining the fleet in a few years but it simply won’t be the same as watching the ‘Queen of the Skies’ over the last several years. Fortunately, the 747-8i aircraft are scheduled to be in the fleet for at least the next 15-20 years so us ‘avgeeks’ can still enjoy these birds for another couple of decades.
D-ABYU departing on her B1 test flight
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 27, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa |
When Lufthansa’s flight LH760 departed for Delhi, India on Sunday April 26, it was carrying over 60 aid workers from Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief who are enroute to Nepal to assist survivors after earthquakes shattered the region.
The reason that the team is heading to Delhi is because Katmandu’s airport is closed, making Delhi the hub of operations for relief flights.
Emergency First Aid workers prepare to board for their flight to Delhi Courtesy: Lufthansa
Also on board this particular flight was over 8 tons of equipment including a portable unit designed to house patients requiring intensive care. Additionally, 8 specially trained dogs were aboard who will help search for survivors amid the rubble.
Lufthansa Cargo will be assisting the German government in the coming days by providing additional airlift support if necessary.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 25, 2015 | Airlines, Cargo, Featured |
A post published by Africa Geographic is suggesting that South African Airways has placed a WORLDWIDE BAN on the transport of Hunt Trophies, even if proper export and import permits are in place.
In what looks to be an internal document, the ban specifically refers to Rhinos, Elephants, Tigers, and Lions which are among the world’s most endangered big-game animals.
By no means am I an environmentalist or tree hugger but after going on a Safari last year, I’ve developed a passion around the protection of endangered animals, especially the Rhino who are at the mercy of poachers throughout Africa. Anytime I see positive developments such as the potential new SAA Cargo policy, I’ll share it in the hopes of bringing additional awareness to the topic.
If in fact this policy is now in place with SAA Cargo, I hope that other airlines follow their lead and adopt similar policies. This looks like a very effective way to put an end to the needless killing of defenseless, endangered animals.
