LUFTHANSA’s D-ABYT ‘Retro Jet’ 747-8i Returns From Inaugural Flight

LUFTHANSA’s D-ABYT ‘Retro Jet’ 747-8i Returns From Inaugural Flight

As promised, here are a few photos that capture the moments soon after ‘YT’ returned from a successful inaugural flight at Paine Field today.    With the way the winds were blowing she landed from the South while I was positioned at the north end of the runway about 9,200 feet from her touchdown, so apologies in advance for not having the best landing photos.

However, I think these photos show off her fantastic livery.  Everyone that I spoke to today about her thought she was a beauty.   As it stands now, we’ll see her head to Frankfurt on or about March 13.  In the mean time she’ll take a few more test flights here before being certified for delivery.

If you missed my earlier post showing her departure, you can get caught up here and here.

 

an airplane on a runway

First ever landing for YT – 9200 feet away!

a large airplane on a runway

Landing roll out……

a large airplane on a runway

Beautiful in the afternoon light

a large airplane on a runway

Leaving the runway

a group of airplanes on a runway

Taxiing back for a braking test

 


a close-up of a plane

LUFTHANSA’s D-ABYT  ‘Retro Jet’ Finally Takes To The Skies: First Looks!

LUFTHANSA’s D-ABYT ‘Retro Jet’ Finally Takes To The Skies: First Looks!

After finally being painted in a beautiful tribute livery and released to the flight line, D-ABYT finally took to the skies today for her inaugural flight, also known in Boeing-speak as a B1 flight.

She took off early in the afternoon after a 3 hour weather delay at Paine Field and is due back later today.

Next up is a B2 flight which will be followed up by a C1 (Customer) flight and ultimately delivery to Lufthansa on or about March 13.    She will no doubt be the guest of honor when Lufthansa celebrates its 60th Anniversary in mid-April.

So for now, enjoy the images of our favorite new Queen of the Skies!  I’ll be back later after she lands.

For additional photos of her, please click here and here for my other related posts.

 

a large white airplane on a runway

Preparing for taxi test

a large white airplane on a runway

High speed taxi test completed successfully.

a large airplane flying in the sky

Moments after takeoff from Paine Field


a close-up of a plane

Finally:  A Full On Look At Lufthansa’s 747-8i Retro-Jet (D-ABYT)

Finally: A Full On Look At Lufthansa’s 747-8i Retro-Jet (D-ABYT)

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:

 

a plane at night with lights

D-ABYT under the lights at Paine Field

 

Related Post:  D-ABYT in the paint hangar


a close-up of a plane