Air China's first Boeing 747-8 routes: Guangzhou, Frankfurt
By Chris C., September 30 2014
Air China is now the proud owner of a Boeing 747-8 – the first airline in Asia to operate the passenger version of the new-generation jumbo.
CA1315 from Beijing to Guangzhou on October 11 2014 will be Air China's first Boeing 747-8 passenger flight, giving travellers a chance to hitch a ride on the new bird before it enters international service.
That's happening on January 2 2015 when the aircraft goes daily Air China's CA931/932 flights from Beijing to Frankfurt.
The new Boeing 747-8 is the first of seven for the airline, which Boeing says will enable Air China to expand its international routes.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said: "The 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver improved operating economics, efficiency and environmental performance in support of Air China's growing long-haul fleet.”
The Boeing 747-8 will bring double-digit improvements in fuel consumption and emissions over its predecessor, the 747-400, while generating 30 percent less noise.
The airplane's interior, inspired by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.
Air China's Beijing-Guangzhou Boeing 747-8 flights are now on sale via the Air China website:
While the site hasn't yet been updated to reflect the aircraft swap on flights to Frankfurt, the airline Global Distribution System (GDS) now shows the Boeing 747 on CA's Frankfurt flights:
Air China codeshare partner and Star Alliance member Lufthansa also flies between Beijing and Frankfurt using a mix of Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 aircraft.
In addition to the Boeing 747-8, Air China also has 15 Boeing 787-9s on order, has received 20 Boeing 777-300ERs in the last three years and is one of the largest Boeing 737 operators in China.
Also read:
- Earn Velocity points on Air China flights via KrisFlyer
- Lufthansa upgrades New York flights to Boeing 747-8
- Why business travellers will love the new Boeing 747-8I
- Your private Boeing 747 VIP jet needs an elevator. Because.
- Airline Review: Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8 fully flat business class
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 372
Excellent. All the more reason to give Air China a go. Long live the Queen of the Skies!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
Yes. Agreed RK.
This is good news. I was only lamenting the decline of the 747 the other day.
I get the business case for the A380, but there's just something so elequent about the 747 that the A380 hasn't got. And something so poetic about her inception, having being designed as a stop-gap meausre, yet being so successful she became the standard. Long may she fly!!
31 Aug 2013
Total posts 60
Is there any news on the seating for this aircraft?
Air China - Phoenix Miles
20 Dec 2012
Total posts 105
The seats are same as those on their 777-300ER fleet.
31 Aug 2013
Total posts 60
So first in the nose or in the middle (they have 2 different layouts for the 744)?
Air China - Phoenix Miles
20 Dec 2012
Total posts 105
The first calss is in the middle between business and premium economy.
31 Aug 2013
Total posts 60
Yes, found the seat map... https://talkairlines.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/ca-7481.jpg
I think I prefer Lufthansa's nose/upstairs layouts.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Nice to finally see another operator of the B748i.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
30 Sep 2014
Total posts 5
Good on CA! And great date to choose too, coz that's my birthday...
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