Airvraft profile: Boeing 747

February 2002 Boeing asks for airline feedback on a "quiet" version called the 747-400QLR

November 2002 Boeing confirms studies to design a more capable 747-400 called the 747-800X

June 2003 Boeing discloses plans to revive 747-400 derivative with 7E7 technologies

April 2005 Boeing chooses General Electric GEnx-2B67 to power "747 Advanced"

14 November 2005 Boeing launches 747-8 family with launch orders from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines

6 March 2006 Boeing completes 50% design release for the 747-8F

31 October 2006 Boeing completes firm configuration of the 747-8F

6 December 2006 Lufthansa launches 747-8I and still remains sole airline customer

27 September 2007 British Airways selects A380s, not 747-8I, for coveted order

6 November 2007 Boeing finalises 747-8I configuration with same 5.6m stretch as 747-8F

April 2008 Boeing acknowledges 1% weight growth on 747-8F and engineering challenges

August 2008 747-8F enters final assembly in Everett, Washington

14 November Boeing delays 747-8F by six to nine months delays 747-8I about three to six months

Source: Flight International