*from www.bloomberg.com, Mar. 13, 2013 (To view original article click here.)
Take Away #1: Boeing speeds up efforts for upgrades of the twin aisle 777 jet, including a roomier interior, which could mean the revised model will be introduced before the stretch version of the 787.
Key Facts and Figures:
- Customers including Emirates airline, the biggest 777 buyer, have urged Boeing to commit quickly to the 777-X, which is targeted to enter service by decade’s end.
- We’re focused on getting the 787 back in the air right now and until we do, other things take a back seat, says Randy Tinseth.
- However, as Boeing works to end the Dreamliner’s grounding, Tinseth left open the prospect of the 777-X coming ahead of the 787-10 version.
- The 787-10 is described as a so-called simple stretch of the 787-9 Dreamliner.
- For the 777-X, Boeing plans to widen the interior of the fuselage, give it new engines and enlarge the wing, building it out of composite materials instead of aluminum.
Take Away #2: The 777 is Boeing’s biggest twin engine model, with a top list price of $315 million, the largest of which seats about 450 passengers.
Key Facts and Figures:
- The plane will be lengthened and Boeing is still consulting with airlines to determine how many seat rows to add.
- The configuration is looking good, says Tinseth, who also states, “The big question is affordability and the business case, making it affordable for us to build and the airlines to buy.”
Take Away #3: With the upgraded 777, Boeing is vying to keep its lead over Airbus SAS in twin-aisle jets as Airbus develops its competing A350.
Key Facts and Figures:
- Airlines operating the current 777, and are anxious for improvements in range and fuel efficiency, have been watching closely over the past year.
- Over the past year, Boeing has pushed back its plans to begin offering the plane.
- CEO of Emirates, Tim Clark said in February that he didn’t expect Boeing to start selling the plane for another six to nine months.
- The board gave Boeing its initial authority to offer the 787-10 late last year, allowing Boeing to start lining up customers.
- Boeing fell 0.4% to $83.85 at 10:14 a.m. in New York.
- Shares rose for the previous six trading sessions and closed yesterday at $84.16, the highest since May 2008.
- Boeing won U.S. approval to test its proposed fix for the battery faults that have kept the Dreamliner grounded since Jan. 16.
*To view original article from www.bloomberg.com click here.