Cargolux might be taking delivery of first 747-8F today

UPDATE: Boeing just confirmed (through Randy Tiseth's "Randy's Journal" not a press release) that Cargolux is taking delivery of it's first 747-8F and it will fly ti Sea-Tac to pick up its first load of cargo and will conduct its first revenue flight. Boeing will deliver the 2nd airplane to Cargolux tomorrow.

Here's Randy Tinseth's post:

Delivery day for Cargolux
I’m happy to announce that we’ve resolved the contractual issues that delayed the first delivery of our new 747-8 Freighter last month. I’m even happier to let you know that Cargolux will take delivery of their first freighter today (October 12) and immediately put it into service with a stop at Sea-Tac Airport for a cargo pickup. On Thursday, Cargolux will take delivery of its second 747-8F.

Even though we had to wait a bit longer than expected, it doesn’t make these deliveries any less sweet. We know Cargolux and every customer after them will love this airplane in every way—from how it flies to how it performs.

I’d like to personally congratulate every employee who had a hand in working on this beautiful new symbol of Boeing. We all look forward to seeing it take to the sky as an official member of the Cargolux fleet.

Cargolux may be taking delivery of its first 747-8F today in what might be the first stealth delivery of a new airplane program. The only clue is a flight plan through a Flightware.com posting:


Cargolux Airlines International #1JS (B748) has just filed a flight plan. It
is scheduled to depart from Snohomish County (KPAE) at 11:00 PDT heading for
Seattle-Tacoma Intl (KSEA) for an estimated arrival at 11:16 PDT.

Expected route: ERYKA MGNUM ANVIL SODOE

For more information visit http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CLX1JS

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Cargolux's plan after taking delivery of the first 747-8F was to fly it to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport where it would pick up its first revenue cargo load and immediately begin revenue service. This aircraft's flight plan is to fly from Paine Field to Sea-Tac. Boeing, GE, Cargolux and Qatar Airways are close to hashing out a final agreement and Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al-Baker (U-Turn Al) has said that Oct. 12th was a target date to accept delivery.