The state-of-the-art Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental touched down, after a flight from Frankfurt, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday, amid salute by water canon.
Thus, India becomes the first destination in Asia to receive the aircraft that boasts lengthened fuselage and redesigned wings, in a sign of its importance for the civil aviation industry in the world.
The Frankfurt-New Delhi flight also made Lufthansa, Germany’s national carrier, the global launch customer for the aircraft, the fourth-generation version of Boeing 747.
The aircraft not only enhances comforts in the cabin but also cuts the cabin noise down by 30 per cent. It offers a new business class seat, a 6.5-foot-long full flatbed, which offers passengers improved sleeping comfort and greater privacy. Economy class passengers will also have new seats with more individual space.
“The passenger response to the inaugural flight was overwhelming in all classes. This confirms our high expectations for B747-8 and its great new on-board products,” Lufthansa’s South Asia Director Axel Hilgers told a team of visiting Indian journalists.
Lufthansa underscored its commitment to continue its success in India by introducing the state-of-the-art aircraft to the country. “Making India the Asian launch pad for Lufthansa’s new business class highlights our endeavour to provide Indian customers with the best Lufthansa products worldwide,” Mr. Hilgers said.
The introduction of Boeing 747-8 marks the beginning of a wider overhaul of Lufthansa’s fleet flying to India. The new aircraft replaces B747-400 to run the Delhi-Frankfurt daily direct service (LH 760/1). This aircraft will also fly between Bangalore and Frankfurt after September 15.
