Tag Archives: boeing commercial airplanes

Thomson Airways takes delivery of the first two Boeing 787-8s, will be introduced on July 8 to Sanford and Cancun

Thomson Airways (London-Luton and Manchester) and Boeing announced the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane, the first of eight 787s Thomson Airways has on order, is the first to be delivered to a UK airline. 787-8 G-TUIA was handed over on May 30 followed by G-TUIB yesterday (May 31).

Thousands gathered to watch Thomson’s 787 Dreamliner arrive at Manchester Airport, completing its delivery flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Senior Thomson and Boeing executives, including Thomson Managing Director Chris Browne and Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing Randy Tinseth, were onboard the delivery flight.

“After much anticipation, we are very excited to welcome the 787 Dreamliner to our fleet and as the first airline in the UK, hope our customers will enjoy the unique experience of this revolutionary aircraft,” said Browne. “The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, increasing the range of long-haul destinations available with Thomson Airways from four UK airports. Customers will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service – all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft.”

The aircraft was welcomed on arrival at Manchester by Todd Nelp, vice president of European sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ken O’Toole, Chief Commercial Officer for MAG, owner of Manchester Airport.

On July 8, Thomson’s first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida (Sanford) and Glasgow to Cancun. Thomson will also operate services from London Gatwick and East Midlands airports. Later this year, the airline will introduce direct flights to Phuket, Thailand from the UK.

The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers and is configured with 47 seats in the airline’s Premium Club cabin and 244 seats in the Economy Club cabin.

Thomson Airways is part of the TUI Travel PLC and is the UK’s third largest airline operating 58 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 G-TUIB (msn 34423) departs from Paine Field near Everett (please click on the photo for the full-size view).

Thomson Airways:

Short Haul and Long Haul Routes from Manchester:

Video: The first 787 arrives at MAN:

Video: Thomson is the first operator of the 787 in the UK.

Southwest Airlines helps to launch the Boeing 737 MAX 7

Boeing (Chicago) and Southwest Airlines (Dallas) announced today the launch of the 737 MAX 7, the third member of the 737 MAX family. The carrier and launch customer for the 737 MAX program became the first airline to order the 737 MAX 7, when it converted 30 existing orders for Next-Generation 737s into orders for the 737 MAX 7.

Southwest also exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its fleet. These airplanes, along with the 737 MAX 7s, are part of Southwest’s ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency and profitability. The 737 MAX 7 supports Southwest’s expanding fleet modernization effort. Southwest is expected to take its first 737 MAX 7 delivery in 2019.

“We are thrilled to announce that Southwest Airlines and Boeing have entered into an agreement for Southwest to be the launch customer for the Boeing MAX 7 series, with deliveries beginning in 2019,” said Gary C. Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO. “The 737 MAX 7 builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737-700, incorporating the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane.”

The 737 MAX 7 (below) brings the most advanced engine technologies to the world’s best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737-700. The 110-ft long airplane incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver improved efficiency with the most reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX 7 also will extend the range over today’s 737-700 by approximately 400 nautical miles (741 km).

Image: Boeing.

“Southwest has been a valued partner in the evolution of the 737 program,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “We have worked together to launch several models of the 737 including the 737 MAX family in 2011. We are excited to bring the 737 MAX 7 to market with Southwest.”

With the MAX 7 conversions and exercised options for 737-800s, Southwest’s unfilled orders consist of 180 737 MAX airplanes and 137 Next-Generation 737s. The 737 MAX now has orders for 1,315 airplanes.

In other news, Southwest Airlines’ Board of Directors, at its meeting held today, significantly increased the Company’s quarterly dividend to $.04 per share from $.01 per share. Annualized, this amounts to over $100 million. The increase in the quarterly dividend will begin with the 147^th consecutive quarterly dividend declared today to Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2013 on all shares then issued and outstanding. The dividend will be paid on June 26, 2013. The Board also increased the Company’s existing $1 billion share repurchase authorization to $1.5 billion. Of the remaining share repurchase authorization, an initial $250 million of Southwest common stock will be repurchased under an accelerated stock repurchase program.

Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, stated: “Over the past 24 months, we have returned over 20 percent of our operating cash flows, or approximately $770 million, to Shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. I am pleased to announce several actions taken today by our Board that follow through with our commitment to deploy free cash flow¹ to our Shareholders. The Board authorized an increase in our quarterly dividend payment to $.04 per share from $.01 per share. Based on yesterday’s closing stock price of $13.98, this would provide an approximate one percent annual dividend yield to our Shareholders. The Board also increased our existing $1 billion share repurchase authorization to $1.5 billion. To date, $725 million in share repurchases of the $1.5 billion authorization have been completed since August 2011. This means we have the authority to repurchase an additional $775 million of our common stock. We intend to execute an agreement today to repurchase $250 million of our shares under an accelerated stock repurchase program, which, upon implementation, will immediately bring shares back into the Company.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. With this announcement, Southwest exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its growing fleet. Boeing 737-8H4 WL N8308K (msn 36682) arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

Southwest Airlines:

Boeing delivers the first direct purchase 767-300 ER to MIAT Mongolian Airlines

Boeing (Chicago) has delivered a 767-300 ER (extended range) to MIAT Mongolian Airlines (Ulaanbaatar), the first-ever direct purchase delivery to the airline.

“This is a momentous step forward for MIAT Mongolian Airlines as we continue to enhance our fleet,” said Jargalsaikhan Gungaa, President and CEO of MIAT Mongolian Airlines. “We are pleased with the comfort, range and payload of the new 767-300ER and we look forward to introducing it into our long-haul fleet.”

Mongolia’s flag carrier completed a historic order in 2011 at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., marking the first time in more than two decades that the airline extended its route network by purchasing Boeing airplanes instead of leasing them.

“We congratulate MIAT Mongolian Airlines on the delivery of their first direct purchase 767-300ER,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With the new passenger-pleasing cabin interior and low operating costs, Boeing is confident that the 767-300ER will play an important role as MIAT Mongolian Airlines continues expanding into new markets.”

Mongolian Airlines:

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Boeing starts to market the new 777X concept

Boeing (Chicago) has started to offer to potential customers the newest version of the popular Triple Seven, dubbed for now the “777X”. The Boeing board of directors has approved the company to start taking orders for the new type per this article by Reuters. The new version will feature folding wingtips and new General Electric engines. The 777X will compete against the Airbus A350-1000.

Previously Boeing had issued this statement in March about the new 777X:

Boeing’s development study on improvements to the market-leading 777, known as 777X, will include GE as the engine partner on the twin-aisle airplane expected to enter service near the end of the decade.

“This decision to work with GE going forward reflects the best match to the development program, schedule and airplane performance,” said Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager, 777X Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are studying airplane improvements that will extend today’s 777 efficiencies and reliability for the next two decades or longer, and the engines are a significant part of that effort. Our focus is on providing the most competitive offering to our customers in the large twin aisle market.”

The 777 is the unequivocal market leader in long-haul service, delivering proven performance, profitability and reliability to airlines around the world. The future 777 models, expected to enter service at the end of the decade, will include increased fuel efficiency, enhanced passenger comfort and increased range.

The development work on the next-generation 777 continues and includes 777 customers from around the world. “We have had strong and productive engagement with a broad set of customers in the marketplace to understand their future needs. We are pleased with where we are in the process,” Feldmann said. “We are aggressively moving forward on our plan and will continue to refine requirements with customers.”

The next step for 777X may include offering the airplane to customers and eventual launch as a committed airplane program.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Boeing receives FAA approval of certification plan for a 787 battery solution

Boeing (Chicago) has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) of the company’s plan to test and certify improvements to the 787’s battery system. Successful completion of each step within the plan will result in the FAA’s approval to resume commercial 787 flights.

“Our top priority is the integrity of our products and the safety of the passengers and crews who fly on them,” said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. “Our team has been working around the clock to understand the issues and develop a solution based on extensive analysis and testing following the events that occurred in January. Today’s approval from the FAA is a critical and welcome milestone toward getting the fleet flying again and continuing to deliver on the promise of the 787,” he said.

Ray Conner, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that the company’s focus has been on developing a permanent resolution.

“Working with internal and external experts in battery technology, we have proposed a comprehensive set of solutions designed to significantly minimize the potential for battery failure while ensuring that no battery event affects the continued safe operation of the airplane,” said Conner.

“Our proposal includes three layers of improvements. First, we’ve improved design features of the battery to prevent faults from occurring and to isolate any that do. Second, we’ve enhanced production, operating and testing processes to ensure the highest levels of quality and performance of the battery and its components. Third, in the unlikely event of a battery failure, we’ve introduced a new enclosure system that will keep any level of battery overheating from affecting the airplane or being noticed by passengers,” Conner said.

Design feature improvements for the battery include the addition of new thermal and electrical insulation materials and other changes. The enhanced production and testing processes include more stringent screening of battery cells prior to battery assembly. Operational improvements focus on tightening of the system’s voltage range. A key feature of the new enclosure is that it ensures that no fire can develop in the enclosure or in the battery. Additional details of the new design will be provided by Boeing in the days ahead.

Boeing made its certification plan proposal to the FAA in late February. Today the agency agreed that the proposed changes and the detailed test plans address the conditions that resulted in the suspension of 787 operations.

The FAA also granted Boeing permission to begin flight test activities on two airplanes: line number 86, which will conduct tests to demonstrate that the comprehensive set of solutions work as intended in flight and on the ground; and ZA005, which is scheduled to conduct engine improvement tests unrelated to the battery issue. Additional testing may be scheduled as needed.

The certification plan calls for a series of tests that show how the improved battery system will perform in normal and abnormal conditions. The test plans were written based on the FAA’s standards as well as applicable guidelines published by the Radio Technical Commission on Aeronautics (RTCA), an advisory committee that provides recommendations on ways to meet regulatory requirements. The RTCA guidelines were not available when the original 787 battery certification plan was developed.

“We have a great deal of confidence in our solution set and the process for certifying it,” said Conner. “Before 787s return to commercial service, our customers and their passengers want assurance that the improvements being introduced will make this great airplane even better. That’s what this test program will do.”

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. ANA’s (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-8 JA801A (msn 34488) in the special Dreamliner special colors lands at Everett (Paine Field) with Boeing’s facilities in the background.

ANA-All Nippon Airways:

Aviation Capital Services announces a commitment for 35 Boeing 737 MAXs

Boeing (Chicago) and Aviation Capital Services LLC, a subsidiary of the State Corporation Russian Technologies (Rostech) announced today (October 30) a commitment by Rostech to purchase 35 737 MAX airplanes. It is the first commitment for the 737 MAX from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Boeing and Aviation Capital Services will work to finalize the details of the order, valued at more than $3 billion at current list prices. When complete, the order will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website as firm.

“Today Aviation Capital Services signed a commitment for 35 737 MAX that will make it the first customer of the 737 MAX aircraft in Eastern Europe. As a result, our partner airline-carriers will receive the most modern aircraft with improved fuel efficiency, flight characteristics and greater comfort for passengers,” said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostech. “Russian airlines will gain an advantage on global markets and will be able to increase their activity both within the country and internationally.”

“This is the first commitment for the 737 MAX from Russia and CIS, which is one of the commercial aviation industry’s fastest-growing regions,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “We are proud of the confidence that Aviation Capital Services has placed in the 737 MAX, which will deliver unsurpassed fuel efficiency to its customers in the single-aisle market as well as improved environmental performance.”

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today’s most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow’s competition. Boeing has 858 orders for the 737 MAX.

Aviation Capital Services LLC is an aircraft leasing company established on February 16, 2011 with 100 percent participation of the Russian Technologies State Corporation Company. Aviation Capital Services LLC is one of the leading aircraft leasing companies in Russia and CIS.

American Airlines loans new Boeing 737-823 N897NN for three months of testing as the “ecoDemonstrator”

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is loaning this brand new Boeing 737-823 registered as N897NN (msn 33318) for three months for a special program in conjunction with Boeing and the FAA.

According to Boeing, “the Next-Generation 737-800 will be used as a flying test bed for validating environmentally progressive technologies. The airplane, known as the ecoDemonstrator, is outfitted with advanced technologies and test equipment for a month of intense flight testing in Montana.

The 2012 ecoDemonstrator program is a partnership between Boeing, American Airlines, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“The goal of the ecoDemonstrator program is to accelerate integration of these technologies for more fuel efficient, quieter, cleaner, more advanced sustainable material solutions for the future,” said Jeanne Yu, Boeing Commercial Airplanes director of Environmental Performance. “Demonstration programs give us a platform for better learning about new technologies in application. This helps us incorporate these technologies more rapidly.”

American Airlines is loaning one of its new Next-Generation 737-800s to Boeing for three months to serve as the test bed for these advanced technologies. Each technology being fitted on the airplane for testing has the goal of reducing fuel consumption, lowering noise, and testing the viability of sustainable materials. After testing, the airplane will be returned to standard configuration and delivered later this year.

Technologies on the 2012 ecoDemonstrator airplane will include improvements to wing and engine efficiency as well as fuel-saving flight trajectory methods.

The 2012 ecoDemonstrator is part of a multi-year program. In 2013, a wide-bodied airplane will serve as the test bed. See details of the technologies in the fact sheet at http://www.boeing.com/farnborough2012/ and click on “Backgrounders.”

The FAA is participating in the 2012 and 2013 programs, providing funding for two of the technologies and sharing in the flight test costs. The funding is provided through their Continuous Lower Energy Emissions and Noise program (CLEEN).”

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Boeing 737-823 N897NN departs Boeing Field on August 24 headed for the testing over Montana. N897NN carries unique “ecoDemonstrator” markings for this special program.

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Thomson Airways starts a “Name our Plane” contest via Twitter

Thomson Airways (London-Luton) has announced it will become the world’s first airline to give the public the chance to name one of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners using Twitter.

Thomson Airways is also adding #nameourplane onto the side of one of its Boeing 737 aircraft (see below) so “consumers can tweet an image or the location of where they spotted the hashtag, along with their reasons why they should get to name the new 787 Dreamliner. Those who don’t get a glimpse of the hashtagged 737 can still tweet their suggested name.”

Entrants will have just 140 characters (including the hashtag) to make their case with any original twitpics of the tagged plane given special consideration. The winning applicant will be chosen by a panel of judges including: Chris Browne, Managing Director of Thomson Airways, Todd Nelp, Vice President of Sales for Europe, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Captain Stuart Gruber, Thomson Airways’ Head of Training and the 787 test pilot.

Thomson Airways will operate the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner (above) from four regional airports from May 1, 2013 – Manchester, London Gatwick, Glasgow and East Midlands.

Top Image: Thomson Airways. The Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be painted in the new TUI livery.

Thomson Airways:

Video:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Thomson Airways. Boeing 737-8K5 G-TAWC (msn 39922) is the aircraft with the special message.

Transaero Airlines signs its contract for four Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Transaero Airlines (Moscow) has signed a firm order for four 787-8 Dreamliners. The signing ceremony for the order, valued at $744 million at list prices, made history by being held onboard the 787 during a demonstration flight for Transaero’s executives, employees and special guests.

Captain Evgeny Nikitin, Commander of Transaero’s 767/777 flying unit, was co-piloting the 787 during the entire flight from takeoff to landing as the signing ceremony took place.

Made primarily from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, nonstop routes preferred by the traveling public. As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 850 787s are on order by 59 customers, a testament to the airplane’s unique capabilities. Russia played an important role in creating this revolutionary airplane. Engineers from the Moscow Boeing Design Center participated in designing a number of key sections of the 787. Russian manufacturer VSMPO-AVISMA supplies titanium parts for the 787 Dreamliner.

Copyright Photo: Boeing. From left: Alexander Krinichansky, Transaero Airlines executive director; Alexander Pleshakov, Transaero Airlines chairman of the board; Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Serdar Gurz, director international Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Transaero Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE