OREANDA-NEWS. The Lufthansa Group is continuing with the modernisation of its aircraft fleet in 2015. Today (27 January 2015), Lufthansa's 16th Boeing 747-8 landed as scheduled from Seattle at its future home airport in Frankfurt. Following a nine-hour transfer flight, the newest "Queen of the Skies" joined Lufthansa's jumbo fleet, replacing an older Boeing 747-400, which is being decommissioned. The "Dash Eight", whose tail number is D-ABYR, is one of four brand-new aircraft of this type that Lufthansa will acquire in 2015. Over the coming months, the state-of-the-art jets will arrive in Frankfurt one by one like a string of pearls. As well as the four Boeing 747-8s, Lufthansa will take delivery of two Airbus A380s, ten aircraft from the A320 family and a Boeing 777F freighter for Lufthansa Cargo.

After its cabin has been fitted by Lufthansa Technik in Frankfurt and it has obtained its operating certificate, the "Yankee Romeo" will enter scheduled service in mid-February. Its first destination is expected to be New York.

The capital expenditure on a Boeing 747-8 long-haul aircraft with the latest technology and top travel comfort totals more than USD 360m at list prices. And with more than 220 Lufthansa staff members involved, the employment effect is the same as that of a medium-sized company.

Improved eco-efficiency on short, medium and long-haul routes

The arrival of the new aircraft in the Lufthansa Group's fleet will mean a clear reduction in the noise emissions and kerosene consumption of the aircraft in use. The Boeing 747-8, for example, is much more eco-efficient: With their state-of-the-art engines, these aircraft consume less kerosene and improve the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions per passenger by 15 per cent, while their noise footprint is 30 per cent lower.

The Lufthansa Group's aircraft fleet is currently undergoing a fundamental renewal. Following the aircraft orders placed in recent years, the Group has more than 263 brand-new aircraft on order with a list value of approximately EUR 37bn. These are to be delivered by 2025.

Greater travel comfort across all travel classes

The new aircraft also offer increased travel comfort. For example, passengers on board the 747-8 can experience the new Business Class, where the seats convert into horizontal beds at the touch of a button. As well as outstanding comfort when lying and sitting, Business Class offers additional storage space and significantly larger 15-inch screens for its individual entertainment system. First Class provides passengers with an exclusive travel experience thanks to its exterior insulation and seats that convert into beds measuring 2.07 metres in length and 80 centimetres in width. Passengers in Economy Class can also travel in comfort to their destinations thanks to the enhanced seats, while in the recently introduced Premium Economy Class, increased legroom and a greater seat pitch await passengers.