[oz_mark]

From the Herald Sun

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E664,00.html

A NEW upper deck loft featuring bunk bed suites and computer workstations is being planned by Boeing for its upgraded jumbo, the 747-8 Intercontinental.

Boeing expects some premium passengers to pay extra to use a private suite and work area, but the area could also be available for economy travellers who want a proper rest on their flight.
The "skyloft" would generate extra space equal to a 737 cabin by extending the aircraft's upper deck towards the tail.

The area could also be fitted out as a luxury lounge or used for crew bunks. It would not be certified to carry people during take-off and landing, so passengers would return to their normal seats near the end of the flight.

Boeing vice-president of marketing for commercial planes, Randy Baseler, said yesterday that Qantas and other current 747 customers had been briefed on the concept.

Slightly different perspective in the Australian

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...E23349,00.html

WELL-HEELED travellers will no longer be the only ones able to stretch out on long-haul flights, if a proposal by Boeing takes off.

The US plane-maker is planning a new version of its venerable jumbo jet that will offer beds - for a fee - to economy-class passengers.

The 747-8 Intercontinental would be capable of flying 450 passengers - 34 more than the existing 747-400 - almost 2000km further.

Boeing hopes to introduce the aircraft in 2010 as an alternative to the bigger Airbus A380, due to take to the skies with Singapore Airlines in December and with Qantas next year.

Among ideas being floated with airlines is a series of luxury sleeping cabins for premium passengers or more spartan berths for those in cattle class.

[Yada Yada]

I saw the guy from Boeing on the Sunrise program this morning talking about this. The funny thing was that while he talked, they first showed footage of the Airbus A380 flying over Sydney! They then switched to some digital footage (artist's impressions) of how the proposed cabins in the 747-8 would look.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Originally Posted by Yada Yada

I saw the guy from Boeing on the Sunrise program this morning talking about this. The funny thing was that while he talked, they first showed footage of the Airbus A380 flying over Sydney! They then switched to some digital footage (artist's impressions) of how the proposed cabins in the 747-8 would look.

Of course they would. After all a plane is a plane. As long as you have nice background and the plane doesnt have smoke out of one or more engines, not missing a wing, or colliding with building or ground, then any old footage will do.

[odoherty]

I think this is it???

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747...opshot_375.jpg