First Flight for Air China's First 747-8I

Just off the runway, line 1499 (RC066) B-2485 for Air China is on her first flight, and I've got the action right here! Complete with the infamous and foreboding Camera Spider of Paine Field.

A (non Lufthansa) Delivery!

Cargolux flew off line 1491 (RC511) LX-VCK today. This is only the second delivery to an airline other than Lufthansa this year. They skipped line 1490 (RC510) LX-VCJ, which is still stored in the desert, but they aim to take at least one more this year.

Cawby pic

This is only the second freighter delivery of 2014. Boeing keeps saying the freight market is coming back, but two freighter deliveries over seven months is not a good sign.

747-8I: Chariot of World Champions

Those crazy Germans won the World Cup yesterday, and are flying home to be adored in style on the Siegerflieger (Winner plane... sounds better in German). Line 1475 (RC028) D-ABYI is doing the honors. Flagship indeed.

Line 1416 in service

Line 1416 LX-ECV for Cargolux got a little bit more livery added to her, with the company emblem painted on her tail. She's been in service for eight months already. How long will she fly? I would say it's either:

• another 9 months, if she's due a D check at the six year mark
• another 5 years, if the D check time frame is put on hold while properly stored
• either of the above plus 6, 12, or 18 years, due to D checks being every 6 years for 747-400s.

So I'm hoping for another 23 years, personally.

From Planespotters