Cx 747-400erf

[I'mbatman]

In 2008, the first of the ERF's will come online. Does anyone have any ideas on what routes they will be on? I'm wondering if they'll do JFK-HKG and back, etc like the A340-600's. Any ideas?

[HeavyWrenchFlyer]

The ERF is the freigter version of the -400ER, the A340-600 is only pax at this point. So the ERF will be on a freigter route which I think JFK-HKG is not.

[I'mbatman]

Thanks Heavy.....I guess what I meant to ask was, since now the freighters go through ANC do you think they will stop doing that and just go Non-stop from JFK-HKG? The freighters that is. Thanks!
IB
Future freighter FO

[HeavyWrenchFlyer]

Well, the 747400ER/ERF is listed at 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 km) max range on Boeing's website http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747...0erf_prod.html and the polar route distance of JFK-HKG is 8055 nautical miles (13,000 km) so unless these numbers are wrong!!

[I'mbatman]

Good point heavy! I guess skimming the ice in siberia isn't in the cards.

[HeavyWrenchFlyer]

Here's the range chart from JFK ... http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747...t_newyork.html . But their numbers are based on MTOW, based on "Structural payload capacity". So I'd say more range is do-able with less payload and more fuel such as pax ops, but freighter ops are typically what this chart is based on.

[TWINGLOBES]

The erf will fly the same routes (and future add ons?), but just carry more with projected better fuel burn/ton.

[Sqwak7700]

I think it will also allow us to bypass a tech stop on ANC to HKG in the winter, and from HKG to ANC in the summer.
All subject to load of course.