Maybe for you the cargo is volumetric, but that is not generally the case. Maybe the "Express" carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL generally bulk out before they gross out. However, I fly 747s at max allowable gross weight and with space still available very often.

BRISTOLRE

The -8 will still need to make a tech stop since it's maximum range (around 4400 nam) with a full payload is not sufficient to make it non-stop from anywere in Asia (with the exception of Japan in the wintertime) to the West Coast.

Volumetric capacity of the -8 is 30312 Cubic Feet what is roughly 4000 CF more that either classic or the -400BCF but I totally agree with INTRUDER; most the time you run out of payload ability rather that volume.

ACMI rates on the classic have dropped mainly because of the price of fuel. Cargo Airlines are no longer able to operate them at profit and unfortunately some ACMI carriers are willing to drop their rates to assure that the keep the business. Last year the going rate for a 747-200F was around $ 4,900.00 per block hour based on a 325 hour contract; These days they are offered at $ 4,300.00 or less. Half your revenue is allocated for MX so it become near impossible to make a penny.

Will be interesting to see what happens to the -400 rates when the 777F and the -8 become available.

LASPILOT

LASPILOT, thanks, very valid comments especially regarding the B777. I guessed that the alleged fall in rates was consumer driven. Considering the fuel price (non ACMI component) this is why.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
 

^Ditto from me. Very educational. Thanks Laspilot.

Nonstop with a "full" payload may not be as much of a consideration as nonstop with MORE payload. To give an example, a 744 can go ICN-LAX nonstop with about 103-108 tonnes, depending on winds. The Classic can barely make ICN-ANC with the same load.
If the 748 can do ICN-LAX with 115-120 tonnes, that will be a significant improvement over the Classic, and some improvement over the 744.

12 747-8 plus 14 Options
 

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Orders Twelve New Boeing 747-8 Freighter Aircraft; Launch Customer to Deliver Best-In-Class Freighter; Anchors Fleet Strategy That Puts Focus on Customers
PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2006--

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/...05&newsLang=en

Yep, and send those Classics to the boneyard once and for all!:ok:

Do Atlas/Polar serve Pakistan? Wikpedia shows them operating to Karachi and Lahore, if so whats the routing and frequency.

Not on a schedule
 

I've only stopped into Karachi as a tech stop from Dhaka to Milan.

And I think we performed some charters for EK to Lahore and Islamabad during the quake relief.

Other than that, we don't do much more.

Weekly DXB-LHE-TPE-DAC-DXB. Operated by one of the 200s at the moment for EK.