by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 13, 2015 | Airlines, Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa, Photography |
Insomnia has its advantages….
At about 4am in Seattle, Boeing finally moved the Scoot 787 that was blocking a full-on view of Lufthansa’s D-ABYT dressed in a Retro-Livery.
So from my hotel room and a bit of luck, I was finally able to get a photo of the entire aircraft. Is it blurry? a little. Am I shooting through a hotel window at 4am? Yes. Am I over a mile away from her? Yes. Cut me a bit of slack! 🙂
If things work to schedule, she should see the skies this weekend…..
For now, here she is sitting at a ramp position at Paine Field:
D-ABYT under the lights at Paine Field
Related Post: D-ABYT in the paint hangar
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 13, 2015 | Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa, Photography, Plane Spotting |
Over the next month, Lufthansa will take delivery of their final 3 747-8i aircraft. When all is said and told, 19 ‘Queens of the Sky’ will be in the fleet for what should be 15-20 years. It also marks the beginning of the end of new 4-engine aircraft for Lufthansa (there are also 2 A380s set to still join the fleet).
The first 747-8i joined the fleet in 2012 and had her inaugural flight on June 1, 2012. I was fortunate to be in Frankfurt for the festivities surrounding the first 747-8i to join the fleet and now look back and see how quickly time has ‘flown’ by. Pun probably intended.
With ‘YS’ ready for delivery, it leaves D-ABYT and D-ABYU as the final 2 747-8ii that will join the fleet. ‘YT’ is the much-anticipated ‘Retro Jet’ who will sport the livery that was on Lufthansa aircraft in the 1980s. ‘YU’ should have her paint work completed this weekend and I’ll be able to bring you a few images of her as the last 747-8i that is scheduled to join the fleet.
Here is a look at the Retro Livery. She’s parked over a mile away and unfortunately a SCOOT 787 is in the way……
For now, here are several shots I took at Paine Field as ‘YS’ was put through the motions during a ‘B2’ test flight. Typically new aircraft go through three test flights: B1, B2, C1. The ‘B’ flights are conducted by Boeing pilots who troubleshoot and certify the aircraft. The C flight is conducted by the ‘Customer’ and typical involves the Airline’s pilots and technicians. Once A ‘C’ flight is completed, it is ready for delivery to the airline.
By the way, if you missed yesterday’s posted regarding LH Cargo’s last 777F delivery, click here!
Enjoy!
Entering the taxiway towards runway 16R
Entering 16R
Takeoff Roll
Returning from B2 Flight
Final Approach
Over the numbers…..
Flare…..
Touchdown…..
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 4, 2015 | Business Class, Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa |
Each month Lufthansa updates the status of their Business Class retrofit progress across the long haul fleet. This month’s update confirms that 64 long-haul aircraft now feature the new Business Class cabin. That means that 6 additional aircraft now sport the new Business Class Cabin as compared to their January update. The aircraft registration codes that are highlighted in green represent the 6 aircraft.
Here is the breakdown by Aircraft type and then by specific aircraft:
Airbus A330: D-AIKP, D-AIKQ, D-AIKR, D-AIKS (These 4 planes were line-fit meaning that they were delivered by Airbus with the seats installed). D-AIKD, D-AIKE, D-AIKF, D-AIKG, D-AIKH, D-AIKI, D-AIKK, D-AIKM, D-AIKN have all been retrofit by Lufthansa Technik. This represents 68% of the A330 fleet.
Airbus A340-300: D-AIGM, D-AIGS, D-AIGO, D-AIGV, D-AIGT, D-AIGN, D-AIFE, D-AIGZ, D-AIFC, D-AIGX, D-AIGU, D-AIFF, D-AIGL, D-AIFD, D-AIGW (All Retrofit). This represents 88% of the A340-300 fleet.
Airbus A340-600: D-AIHE, D-AIHF, D-AIHK, D-AIHN, D-AIHQ, D-AIHR, D-AIHS, D-AIHV, D-AIHW, D-AIHX, D-AIHB (All Retrofit). This represents 46% of the A340-600 fleet.
Airbus A380: D-AIMK, D-AIML, D-AIMB, D-AIME, D-AIMJ, D-AIMC, D-AIMI, D-AIMG. MK and ML were line fit. This represents 66% of the A380 fleet.
Boeing 747-8i: All aircraft have the new Business Class. D-ABYR joined the fleet in January.
Boeing 747-400: D-ABVW (Retrofit). This represents 6% of the 747-400 Fleet, 1 out of 17 thus far.
If you have upcoming Business Class travel on Lufthansa, you can use this tool to determine if your flight will have an aircraft equipped with the new Business Class.
