A new 747 would be nice.
But I do not believe in it, since if you check the weight of the aircraft compared to an Airbus340 you see the problem.
The Airframe is a design from the early 60īs and even if you put now technical stuff inside, the base is still the same.
Nowadays companies think about fuelconsumption and performance before they buy aircrafts. The 747 needs a new wing. Its design is still from a drawing board and not from a computer. The wing is a classic wingdesign with a high drag and not a supercritical wingdesign as on the 777 or other new aircrafts.
Compared with the Airbus 340-600 the 747-400 needs on a 13h flight 27tons more fuel, but is 27 minutes faster ! ( same wind conditions, same payload ( .83 A340 - .86 747 ). ( .84 A340 - .86 B747 is still 23tons )
Overall the Airbus 346 is capable of taking more payload on this flight then the 747. Sorry I got no data on the 777ER, since we do not have it in our company.
MTOW 368t 340-600 compared to MTOW 395t B747.
If Boeing can reduce the weight of the B747 around 30% and fit the plane with a new wing
and stabilizer and elevator their is a chance.
But wouldnīt it be better to make a totally new design ?