Boeing Co handed over the first passenger version of its upgraded and extended 747 to a secret VIP customer, who sent the gleaming, all-white plane along to a modification center to transform it into the "jewel of the sky," Reuters reported.
The delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental – Boeing's largest and most recognizable commercial airplane – caps a development delay of more than a year.
Boeing, the world's second-largest plane-maker marked the milestone with an understated ceremony, keeping the media at arm's length to safeguard the identity of its customer, thought by industry insiders to be the state of Qatar.
"The 747 is the most iconic airplane in the world, and I know customers are going to love what we've done to enhance its performance," Jim Albaugh, president and chief executive ofBoeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement.
"The Intercontinental is fast, efficient and quiet, offering real savings and a great flying experience," he said.
Boeing, which competes for orders with rival Airbus, has taken 36 orders – nine from non-airline customers – for the aircraft, which lists at $332.9 million. The airplane is more than 12 months behind its initial delivery schedule and some experts say the order book is puny.
The Intercontinental is an elongated, upgraded version of the classic 747, which first flew more than 40 years ago. The 747 was the world's largest airplane until 2005, when Airbus unveiled its A380.
Only one A380 has been ordered by a wealthy individual, Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
