X

Behind the scenes with 747-8 Intercontinental (photos)

Boeing formally unveiled its next-gen 747 Sunday. Here, the company showcases its production process, and some highlights.

Daniel Terdiman
Daniel Terdiman is a senior writer at CNET News covering Twitter, Net culture, and everything in between.
Daniel Terdiman
Intercontinental_outside_Everett_1.jpg
1 of 16 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

747-8 Intercontinental outside at Everett

EVERETT, Wash.--On Sunday, Boeing formally ="20031689">unveiled its next-generation 747-8 Intercontinental at a celebration attended by some 10,000 employees, family members, media, and others. The new plane is expected to be able to fly longer and faster, and offer airlines the best fuel efficiency in the business. By Monday, the plane had been moved outside the Everett facility, and was viewable in the open for the first time in its all-new orange, red, and white livery.
Full_body_1.jpg
2 of 16 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Unveiling

The 747-8 Intercontinental, as seen at the unveiling event inside the giant Everett assembly facility in Everett, Wash., on Sunday.
RollsToPaint.JPG
3 of 16 Boeing

Rolls to paint

In this image, the first 747-8 Intercontinental is rolled out of Boeing's giant Everett, Wash., assembly plant to its painting facility.
Move_to_Slant_Position_3.JPG
4 of 16 Boeing

Moved to slant position

In this image, this 747-8 Intercontinental, which is the 1,434th 747 built, is moved to what is called slant position.
FlightDeck.jpg
5 of 16 Boeing

Flight deck

This is a view of the flight deck of the 747-8 Intercontinental.
AftSection.jpg
6 of 16 Boeing

Aft section on crane

In this image, the aft section of a 747-8 Intercontinental is moved into place inside Boeing's giant Everett, Wash., assembly facility.
FrontSection.jpg
7 of 16 Boeing

Front section

In this image, the front section of a 747-8 Intercontinental is moved into place using a ceiling-based crane at the Everett, Wash., facility.
MovetoFinalBodyJoin.JPG
8 of 16 Boeing

To final body join

In this image, a large section of the fuselage of a 747-8 Intercontinental is moved into place for final body join.
FinalBodyJoin.jpg
9 of 16 Boeing

Final body join

Here, we see a 747-8 Intercontinental in final body join at the giant Everett, Wash., assembly plant.
MovetoSlantPosition.JPG
10 of 16 Boeing

Moved to slant position

Here, the 1,434th 747, a 747-8 Intercontinental, is moved into slant position.
Move_to_Slant_Position_2.JPG
11 of 16 Boeing

Moving toward slant position

Here, we see the 1,434th 747, a 747-8 Intercontinental, being rolled into place at the Everett, Wash., facility.
EngineHang.jpg
12 of 16 Boeing

Engine hang

Here we see a General Electric GEnx-2B engine being added to the first 747-8 Intercontinental.
EnginesBack.jpg
13 of 16 Boeing

Rear of engines

This is a look at the GEnx engines from the rear as they are being added to the first 747-8 Intercontinental.
Engines.jpg
14 of 16 Boeing

Engines

This is a front view of two GEnx-2B engines being added to the first 747-8 Intercontinental.
Interior.jpg
15 of 16 Boeing

Interior

This is a look at the business class section on the lower deck of the 747-8 Intercontinental, as seen in an interior mock-up at Boeing's Customer Experience Center in Tukwila, Wash.
Intercontinental_and_public_highway.jpg
16 of 16 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

By the highway

For members of the public who love airplanes, a drive on the state highway that runs directly through the middle of Boeing's Everett, Wash., facility provided a view of the new 747 on Monday morning.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos