[fransje26]

> I would have to imagine that the newer 747-8 would have the much lower pressurization

Two small corrections:

1) If it would have had a change in internal pressurization, the -8 would have a higher pressurization to allow for a lower cabin altitude pressure.

2) The -8 does not have a higher pressurization, because they did not change the fuselage construction. Newer airplanes have lower cabin-altitudes thanks to the use of composite materials, allowing for better fatigue properties.

[buildsjets]

The -8 also has a lower maximum certified altitude than the -400. The -400 can go to 45,100 feet, the -8 is limited to 43,100 feet.

This is actually because the -8 wing is MORE efficient than yhe -400. There is a regulation that in case of a pressurization failure the airplane has to be able to descend below 15,000 feet in a certain time. The -8 wing has less drag, so it is easier to overspeed in descent, and they had to limit the maximum operation altitude to compensate.

[fransje26]

Interesting! I did not know that, thanks!

[sbierwagen]

>thanks to the use of composite materials

Not always. 777X uses a conventional fuselage but has a 6,000 foot cabin compared to the 8,000 foot cabin on the legacy 777.