Lufthansa AG's logistics unit, Lufthansa Cargo, prefers the new stretched version of Boeing Co's 747 jumbo to the Airbus 380, reported WirtschaftWoche magazine, citing company sources.

In an article to be published tomorrow, the magazine said the head of Boeing's commercial planes unit Alan Mulally has offered Lufthansa the new version of the 747 and has received positive feedback. "The plane slots better into our fleet," said a Lufthansa Cargo source.

However, the magazine added that Lufthansa's chairman Juergen Weber prefers the A380 manufactured by European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co and BAE Systems PLC unit Airbus Industrie.

The new 747 is expected to enter the market in 2007, the magazine said.