New 747 Takes Off

The new Boeing 747-8 flew for the first time this afternoon over Everett, Washington. This inaugural flight comes one day shy of the anniversary of the original 747's first flight way back in 1969. The iconic hump over the forward fuselage is still present, but the body has been extended and the plane has been outfitted with a brand new wing design. Engines, the flight deck, interiors and other systems have been patterned after new technology developed for the 787. Today's flight featured the freighter version of the plane. The passenger model with an enlarged upper deck will be ready next year.