Boeing 7E7 jet moves towards launch

[charrison]

linkage

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Boeing is expected to hold a news conference today which may signal the start of marketing its 7E7 jetliner, a major step toward a formal launch of its first new aircraft in a decade.

Boeing will build the new mid-sized jet in the Seattle suburb of Everett after mulling several other sites, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer said in its Tuesday edition.

It may also announce a launch order for the 7E7 at the Seattle news conference, possibly from All Nippon Airways Co Ltd 9202.T , the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources. All Nippon Airways was not available for immediate comment in Tokyo.

By giving its Seattle-based jetliner unit permission to book orders for the 7E7, Boeing's board of directors -- who met in Chicago on Sunday and Monday, led by new Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher -- would raise the odds that the 200- to 250-seat jet would be officially launched, with passenger service beginning in 2008.

The 7E7, designed to help cash-strapped airlines save money on fuel and operating costs, could reinvigorate Boeing's sagging jetliner business, but is expected to cost about $10 billion to develop, making it a significant gamble for the Chicago-based manufacturer.

 

[MovingTarget]

w00t! I've been hearing a lot of good things about this new plane. I can't wait to see it in action. This is good news.

 

[leeboy]

Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: leeboy
Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

The article says alot of the work is going to be outsourced(jobs would still be added here). I think boeing is expecting 2-3 billion in funding from japan and italy.

 

[kaizersose]

i am curious to see how the developement phase goes. this plane will have more composites in it than any other--should present some challenges down the road.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: leeboy
Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

The article says alot of the work is going to be outsourced(jobs would still be added here). I think boeing is expecting 2-3 billion in funding from japan and italy.

Yep - definately a lot of will be outsourced, the developement of this plane and the systems involved have been worked on for a couple years now.

CkG

 

[ManSnake]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: leeboy
Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

The article says alot of the work is going to be outsourced(jobs would still be added here). I think boeing is expecting 2-3 billion in funding from japan and italy.

Yep - definately a lot of will be outsourced, the developement of this plane and the systems involved have been worked on for a couple years now.

CkG

The company awarded Everett the manufacturing job site for the 7E7. In fact a week ago they had 10 entry-level job openings for EE and CompSci graduates for their autoflight group alone in Everett. Good for Boeing!

 

[alchemize]

Maybe Southwest will start upgrading their POS 737's I have such a love/hate relationship with the "Greyhound of the skies".

/me is flying southwest to Vegas on Friday

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: ManSnake

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: leeboy
Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

The article says alot of the work is going to be outsourced(jobs would still be added here). I think boeing is expecting 2-3 billion in funding from japan and italy.

Yep - definately a lot of will be outsourced, the developement of this plane and the systems involved have been worked on for a couple years now.

CkG

The company awarded Everett the manufacturing job site for the 7E7. In fact a week ago they had 10 entry-level job openings for EE and CompSci graduates for their autoflight group alone in Everett. Good for Boeing!

Aww man now wal-mart is gonna have to find 10 new stockboys. No worries, I'm sure there are some PHD's or DBA's for them to hire.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: alchemize
Maybe Southwest will start upgrading their POS 737's I have such a love/hate relationship with the "Greyhound of the skies".

/me is flying southwest to Vegas on Friday

What's wrong with the 737? The 737 is one of the most reliable and economical airliners available, and the fact that Southwest only operates one major type is a big reason why they can give you those low low prices.

Besides, Southwest is upgrading. Thier fleet consists of 737-200,300,500, and the new 700's. The 700's all have the new interior scheme (blue, uprated seating, and modified bins, screens, etc.) They are also upgrading the entire fleet with blended winglets to improve fuel economy.

Southwest probably has one of the best fleets out there.

 

[Wolfie]

Talk about a wonderfull jet.
boeing site

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: leeboy
Let's hope Boeing keeps all the jobs related with the manufacturing of these planes here in the good old USA. Sounds like production could put a LOT of people to work.

Final assembly will be in the US, but a lot of the subsystems will be outsourced..just like any major aircraft project including Airbus which gets a huge number of systems from the US, Japan, Australia, etc.

for the 7E7, I believe GE and Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) are in the lead for the engines ahead of Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce.

Hawker De Havellind of Australia and Alenia Aeronautica of Italy will be making significant contributions.

Fuji and Mitsubishi heavy idustries will be making about 35 percent of the aircraft including most of the wings.

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: alchemize
Maybe Southwest will start upgrading their POS 737's I have such a love/hate relationship with the "Greyhound of the skies".

/me is flying southwest to Vegas on Friday

What's wrong with the 737? The 737 is one of the most reliable and economical airliners available, and the fact that Southwest only operates one major type is a big reason why they can give you those low low prices.

Besides, Southwest is upgrading. Thier fleet consists of 737-200,300,500, and the new 700's. The 700's all have the new interior scheme (blue, uprated seating, and modified bins, screens, etc.) They are also upgrading the entire fleet with blended winglets to improve fuel economy.

Southwest probably has one of the best fleets out there.

It's a good plane. It's just OLD and CRAMPED (I'm 6'4"...so room counts a lot for me). Every time I get on one, I feel like I'm boarding a bus. I haven't flown on the 737-700 yet Maybe the Vegas trip will enlighten me.

 

[Homerboy]

Question could be (and I'm, sure Boeing has thought of this already) who is going to buy these planes? Last I heard the airline industry was dying a pretty quick death post 9/11 and has never really recovered economically. Cant see a chap-11/7 company shelling out millions on too many new planes... anyone have any info on this?


(edited typos)

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Question could be (and I', sure Boeing has thought of this already) who is going to buy these planes? Last I heard the airline industry was dying a pretty quick death post 9/11 and has never really recovered economically. Cant see a cap11/7 company shelling out millions on too many new planes... anyone have any info on this?

1) Boeing feels the need to keep up with AirBus
2) The planes will not be available for 5-7 years.
3) Boeing may be anticipating that older planes will be retired making way for this new economy plane.

Airbus is worried enough that an executive stated that they will contact anyone that expresses interest in the 7E7 and try to convince of the merits of the Airbus line instead.

 

[B00ne]

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: alchemize
Maybe Southwest will start upgrading their POS 737's I have such a love/hate relationship with the "Greyhound of the skies".

/me is flying southwest to Vegas on Friday

What's wrong with the 737? The 737 is one of the most reliable and economical airliners available, and the fact that Southwest only operates one major type is a big reason why they can give you those low low prices.

Besides, Southwest is upgrading. Thier fleet consists of 737-200,300,500, and the new 700's. The 700's all have the new interior scheme (blue, uprated seating, and modified bins, screens, etc.) They are also upgrading the entire fleet with blended winglets to improve fuel economy.

Southwest probably has one of the best fleets out there.

It's a good plane. It's just OLD and CRAMPED (I'm 6'4"...so room counts a lot for me). Every time I get on one, I feel like I'm boarding a bus. I haven't flown on the 737-700 yet Maybe the Vegas trip will enlighten me.

Cant argue about the old (actually I dont have a clue) but the CRAMPED is a function of Price payed for the ticket(i.e. 1st class) and airline company (some having bigger row distances others shorter) not necessarily airplane

 

[Homerboy]

Thanks EagleKeeper. Thats the kinda info I was looking for.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Thanks EagleKeeper. Thats the kinda info I was looking for.

Aim to please

 

[tnitsuj]

Keep in mind, that this is just opening up the order book. They still need to get enough orders to get the board to approve the actual launch. Airbus already has enough launch customers for the A380 and the first aircraft will be ready in 2005-2006.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Keep in mind, that this is just opening up the order book. They still need to get enough orders to get the board to approve the actual launch. Airbus already has enough launch customers for the A380 and the first aircraft will be ready in 2005-2006.

Actually I beleive that is questionable now that Japan said it would not be ordering the A380.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Keep in mind, that this is just opening up the order book. They still need to get enough orders to get the board to approve the actual launch. Airbus already has enough launch customers for the A380 and the first aircraft will be ready in 2005-2006.

Actually I beleive that is questionable now that Japan said it would not be ordering the A380.

Wrong. Airbus has over 100 firm orders for the A380 and the first aircraft will be delivered in March 2006. Emirates Airlines has also recently committed to purchase 1.5 billion dollars in A380 engines futher strengthening the position.

And, BTW Japan isn't refusing to buy anything, unless by Japan you are referring to ANA and JAL.

ANA is still considering it, but neither of the big Japanese airlines are ready to make a decision on a next generation widebody. They are heavily invested in thier 747 and 777 right now and the market is still soft.

It's not like they opted out of firm orders and killed the project.

 

[tnitsuj]

BTW, anywhere between 50-60 aircraft is the break even point for A380 depending on which industry publication you read.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Keep in mind, that this is just opening up the order book. They still need to get enough orders to get the board to approve the actual launch. Airbus already has enough launch customers for the A380 and the first aircraft will be ready in 2005-2006.

Actually I beleive that is questionable now that Japan said it would not be ordering the A380.

Wrong. Airbus has over 100 firm orders for the A380 and the first aircraft will be delivered in March 2006. Emirates Airlines has also recently committed to purchase 1.5 billion dollars in A380 engines futher strengthening the position.

And, BTW Japan isn't refusing to buy anything, unless by Japan you are referring to ANA and JAL.

ANA is still considering it, but neither of the big Japanese airlines are ready to make a decision on a next generation widebody. They are heavily invested in thier 747 and 777 right now and the market is still soft.

It's not like they opted out of firm orders and killed the project.

Japan's two international airlines, which are the world's biggest carriers outside the US, have snubbed the new A380 superjumbo in a crushing blow to the European manufacturer Airbus.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) are the leading users of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet, which the A380 is intended to replace, and are regarded as a make-or-break market for the new aircraft.

As recently as last week, senior Airbus executives were saying they expected to sell the A380 to Japan, claiming that the plane could be packed with 900 seats on busy domestic routes between Tokyo and Kyoto or Sapporo.

But the two airlines have resisted intense pressure from Airbus to sign up for the A380. ANA's chief executive, Yoji Ohashi, this weekend ruled out a purchase before 2010, saying he intended to stick to the company's existing long-haul fleet of Boeing 747s and 777s.

Keisuke Okada, ANA's corporate planning director, criticized the design of the superjumbo, saying larger aircraft created too many problems at airports: "Already, when I take a ride on a 747, I have to wait a long time to board -- it's a crazy stress."

He said baggage handling was frequently "chaos" when jumbo jets, which carry more than 560 people on domestic routes in Japan, arrived en masse.

 

[tnitsuj]

That still doesn't affect the over 100 firm orders they have. A380 WILL BE FLYING and in customers hands in 2006. 7E7 is just a theory right now.

 

[tnitsuj]

A380 is being built now as we speak all over the world. They are on schedule, thier engines are selected, tested, and approved. You can go walk through a full scale mockup, and watch people building the component sections.

flu revue


They have a 25 acre assembly building in Toulouse which is working. This is not fantasy, it is real, it is happening, it will be built.

Whither 7E7?????? Whatever happened to that Sonic Cruiser???