Boeing says it's on track to deliver the first of its new 747s that will haul paying passengers early this year.
The company says flight testing on the new 747-8 Intercontinental is due to wrap up in five to seven days. The first customer for that plane is German airline Lufthansa.
On Tuesday, Boeing delivered a new 747 to an unidentified VIP customer. It was something of a formality. The plane still needs modification in Wichita, Kan., and other work before it's ready for service.
Boeing Co. has been making the 747 for more than 40 years, but this is a major overhaul. The new version includes changes to 70 percent of the plane.
It has orders for 36 of the passenger Intercontinentals. Boeing delivered a cargo version in October.
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