Boeing 747-8F makes operational debut
at Hartsfield-Jackson
By Katena Carvajales

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Hartsfield-Jackson officials welcomed British Airways World Cargo’s new Boeing 747-8F on its first flight to Atlanta on November 10.

Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the first U.S. airports to welcome the 747-8F, which received operational certification this year. British Airways World Cargo is the first airline to schedule service to Hartsfield-Jackson using the freighter.

“British Airways World Cargo has an $18 million estimated annual economic impact on metro Atlanta,” Reed said. “I am pleased that British Airways is choosing to grow its air cargo business in Atlanta by utilizing this state-of-the-art aircraft, which has 16 percent more cargo capacity than its predecessor, the Boeing 747-400.”

The Boeing 747-8F is also 17 percent more fuel-efficient than the 747-400. The 747-8F can carry the equivalent of 15 detached houses’ worth of furniture or a blue whale, the largest animal in the world. Its wingspan is as wide as two Boeing 737-700s end to end, and it can travel the length of three FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) soccer fields in one second.

In June, a 747-8F operated by Boeing visited Atlanta on a certification flight.

The British Airways World Cargo Boeing 747-8F made its debut at Hartsfield-Jackson on November 10.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed speaks at the event to welcome the first 747-8F to Atlanta. Aviation General Manager Louis Miller (right) also was on hand for the occasion.