TUKWILA, Wash.--Boeing on Sunday plans to formally unveil its long-awaited 747-8 Intercontinental, a plane that it says will be the most fuel-efficient in the world. But while much of the attention surrounding the plane has focused on its new wings, its next-generation General Electric engines, and its industry-best cost per seat mile, it is also getting a major reboot of its interior.
After giving the aviation press a rare look at the final assembly of the 747-8 at the giant Boeing plant in Everett, Wash., the company escorted the media to its Customer Experience Center, where reporters were given a chance to see the latest iteration of the interior mock-up of the 747-8 Intercontinental.
Located in the upper deck of the newly designed 747-8 Intercontinental, this is a suite, featuring a fully-flat bed, a comfortable armchair, a personal TV screen and a degree of privacy.
Inside the 747-8 Intercontinental interior mock-up, Boeing has configured the upper deck to be like it would be on a VIP version of the plane. This is a lounge bench, complete with cushions and pillows, and it faces a pair of armchairs.
Inside the 747-8 Intercontinental interior mock-up, Boeing has configured the upper deck to be like it would be on a VIP version of the plane. This is a pair of armchairs with a small table facing a lounge bench, complete with cushions and pillows.
First-class passengers aboard the 747-8 Intercontinental will likely be able to lay down in this bed, as seen aboard the interior mock-up of the plane at Boeing's Customer Experience Center.
The interior mock-up of the 747-8 Intercontinental shows several different kinds of business class seating. This is the narrowest of the options showed, but shown folded out so that passengers can stretch out.
Boeing designed the 747-8 Intercontinental to have the same kind of luggage bins as its 787 Dreamliner. The idea is that there should be enough space for everyone's bags.
Though the 747-8 Intercontinental is the same width as the current-generation 747-400, it has used design elements--including special LED lighting that can provide a sense that the ceiling looks like the sky--to make people believe that the plane is wider and taller.
