Flight 08 lifts off, Boeing photo replaces initial screen grab

Flight 08, the first flight of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, has taken off from Paine Field at Everett north of Seattle.

This ultimate version of the Boeing 747 family is expected to fly for four to five hours on the first of its test and certification flights.

Unless you are eligible for fly in one of a small number of VIP versions of the jet, the airline experience will, so far, be available on Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and Air China flights, with the German carrier Lufthansa expecting to be the first to offer scheduled flights from early next year.

The first flight of a 747-8 Intercontinental climbs away, Boeing photo

The flight duration was 4 hours 33 minutes from takeoff to engine shutdown according to observers.

And, from Boeing's media photo service, the first touchdown of a 748-I at Boeing Field