Lufthansa, Boeing: From the 707 to the 747-8I

Lufthansa and Boeing yesterday celebrated 50 years of their relationship.
The airline ordered the 707 on Jan. 30, 1960. The airline also bought the 727 on February 28, 1961, and on February 19, 1965 the airline's board authorized the purchase of 21 737s. The relationship continued with deals for the 747 and later, through Condor for the 757 and through the AeroLogic joint venture also for the 777 freighter.
Lufthansa is the launch customer for the passenger version, and to help mark yesterday's event, Boeing announced the first of those aircraft has now formally begun being assembled. Lufthansa expects to take delivery of the aircraft in December 2011. It plans to field five of them by the end of 2012, five more in each 2013, 2014, and 2015. The airline also still has options for 20 more of the 747-8I.
To help celebrate the event, that featured current and former luminaries from Lufthansa, Boeing and others -- all three big engine makers were also in attendance to help fete one of their most important customers -- the airline gave one of its its 747-400s a new paint job:

This is a big month for Lufthansa. On May 19, the airline will receive its first Airbus A380.

Tags: tw99, 747, Lufthansa