Backgrounder
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
P.O. Box 3707 MC 21-70
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207
www.boeing.com
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Overview - Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) is the world leader in
commercial aviation because of its complete focus on airplane operators and the
passengers they serve. Boeing products and services deliver superior design, efficiency
and support to airline customers and allow passengers to fly where they want to go,
when they want to go.
By working together with supplier partners from around the world, Boeing has
delivered more than 15,000 airplanes to customers worldwide including airlines, leasing
companies, governments and private firms. But customers who choose Boeing acquire
more than great airplanes - they also gain access to the industry’s most complete
selection of aviation support products and services.
Organization - Boeing Commercial Airplanes, with headquarters in Renton,
Wash., is under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carson. It
is organized into three primary business units – 787 Program, Airplane Programs and
Commercial Aviation Services – as well as providing Airplane Trading services.
Commercial Airplanes is also a vital presence and a good corporate citizen in the
communities where its employees live and work around the world.
787 Program
The 787 Dreamliner is a family of new, super-efficient airplanes that will bring
big-jet comfort and economics to the midsize market. The Boeing 787 will incorporate
advanced materials, systems and engines to provide unprecedented performance
levels, including a 20 percent improvement in fuel performance on a per-passenger
basis. This efficiency will mean improved environmental performance.
The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210-250 passengers about 7,650 to 8,200
nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers) and the 787-9 will carry 250 to 290
passengers from 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 km).
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Both models will be in tri-class configurations. A third 787 family member, the
787-3 Dreamliner, will accommodate between 290 and 330 passengers in a two-class
configuration and be optimized for routes of 3,050 nautical miles (5,650 km).
Boeing has selected General Electric and Rolls-Royce to develop engines for the
new airplane. The Boeing board of directors granted authority to offer the 787 for sale in
late 2003 and program launch occurred in April 2004 with a record order from All
Nippon Airways. Entry into service is expected in 2008.
Airplane Programs
Boeing offers an unequaled product line, providing significant value for Boeing
customers, with airplane models to serve every passenger market from 110 seats to
approximately 500 seats, as well as the most complete line of freighters.
The 737 – the world’s best-selling commercial airliner – is the most advanced
family of single-aisle airplanes on the market today. The 737 is offered in four sizes:
The 737-600 can carry 110 to 132 passengers; the 737-700 accommodates 126
to 149; the 737-800 can seat 162 to 189; and the largest model, the 737-900ER, is
capable of carrying up to 220 passengers. A convertible freighter version and an
extended-range version of the 737-700 also are available.
While these new airplanes retain the characteristics that made earlier 737
models so popular – reliable, simple and economical to operate – they underwent
dramatic revisions including a brand-new wing design, improved fuel capacity and
increased aerodynamic efficiency, leading to increased range and speed.
The 737 family’s range is approximately 3,200 nautical miles (5,926 kilometers),
an increase of up to 900 nautical miles (1,667 kilometers) over earlier 737 models. This
allows U.S. transcontinental flights and increases 737 route capabilities throughout the
world. The 737 family also can cruise at a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet (12,497
meters) compared with 37,000 feet (11,278 meters) for earlier models. The popular
twinjets are powered by new CFM56-7 engines produced by CFMI, a joint venture of
General Electric Co. of the United States and Snecma of France. The engines meet
community noise restrictions well below Stage 4 levels.
The advanced wing design provides an economical cruise speed of 0.785 Mach
(937 kilometers/hour), compared with 0.745 Mach (889 km/h) for earlier 737 models,
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with sprint capability of 0.82 Mach (978 km/h). Advanced-technology Blended Winglets
are offered on the 737-700, 737-700ER, 737-800, 737-900ER and Boeing Business Jet
(based on the 737-700 and 737-800). Performance benefits include fuel burn reductions
of up to 3.5 percent and increased range.
Drawing inspiration from the 777, the 737 passenger cabin is updated with
contoured walls and ceilings to create a spacious feeling and greater stowage capacity.
In the flight deck, large liquid-crystal displays are complemented by industry-leading
display and flight-management software that reduces flight delays and enhances safety
and flight-crew efficiency: Vertical Situation Display, which shows the current and
predicted flight path of the airplane and indicates potential conflicts with terrain, and the
Head-Up Display (HUD), which provides “eye-level” flight and safety information.
The 747 is the most recognized commercial airplane in the world. From its first
flight in 1969, the 747 has been a continually evolving airplane family.
The 747-400 flies 416 passengers in three-class comfort about 7,260 nautical
miles (13,450 kilometers). The 747-400ER (extended range), offers customers 410
nautical miles (760 kilometers) more range, or 35,000 pounds (15,876 kilograms) more
payload. This derivative features the award-winning Boeing Signature Interior, first
introduced on the 777. The 747-400ER, also available in a freighter version, increases
the 747-400’s takeoff weight from 875,000 pounds (396,900 kilograms) to 910,000
pounds (412,770 kilograms). Both 747-400ER models entered service in October 2002.
The 747 freighter fleet provides almost half the total worldwide freighter cargo lift
capability. The 747-400 Freighter carries twice as much cargo twice the distance of its
nearest competitor. With its capacity, extended range and improved fuel efficiency, the
747-400 offers the lowest operating costs per seat of any commercial jetliner and the
lowest ton-mile cost of any commercial freighter.
In November 2005, Boeing launched the 747-8, with Cargolux and Nippon Cargo
Airlines. The 747-8 family includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and
the 747-8 Freighter. Both offer airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of
any large passenger or freighter airplane.
This latest family of 747 jetliners meets airline requirements for a passenger
airplane that serves the 400- to 500-seat market between the 555-seat Airbus A380 and
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the 365-seat Boeing 777-300 Extended Range airplanes, and a freighter that continues
the leadership of the 747 Freighter family in the world cargo market.
The 747-8 Intercontinental is 15 percent more fuel-efficient than the 747-400, 10
percent more fuel-efficient than the A380 and offers guaranteed QC2 departures.
With a maximum structural payload capacity of 154 tons (140 tonnes), the 747-8
Freighter offers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400F with slightly
greater range. The additional 4,225 ft3 (121 m3) of volume means the airplane can
accommodate four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.
The 747-8 Freighter enables operators to choose between carrying greater revenue
payload – up to an additional 22 tons (20 tonnes) – and flying up to 1,400 nmi farther in
markets where cargo density requirements are lower. The airplane upholds its
predecessor’s legendary efficiency, with equivalent trip costs and 14 percent lower ton-
mile costs than the 747-400F. The 747-8F will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any
freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential.
Compared one-on-one, the 747-8 Freighter has no competitors. The 747-8
Freighter’s empty weight is 90 tons (82 tonnes) lighter than the A380 freighter. This
results in a 24 percent lower fuel burn per ton, which translates into 20 percent lower
trip costs and 23 percent lower ton-mile costs than the A380F.
The 747-8 is the right size for the large airplane market, lowering risk for airlines
in a highly variable operating environment. Entry into service is scheduled for 2009.
The 767 is a mid-sized, widebody twinjet. It is the most widely used airplane
across the Atlantic, and is available in three passenger models: the 767-200ER
(extended range), with seating for 224 passengers in two classes or 181 passengers in
a three-class configuration, with a range of up to 6,600 nautical miles (12,220
kilometers); the 767-300ER, with seating for 269 in two classes and 218 in three
classes with a range of 6,105 nautical miles (11,305 kilometers); and the 767-400ER
that provides seating for 304 passengers in two classes and 245 in three classes with a
range of 5,645 nautical miles (10,450 kilometers). Boeing now offers a new Boeing
Signature Interior on all 767 passenger models.
The Boeing 767 family also includes a 767-300 Freighter with 16,034 cubic feet
(454 cubic meters) of cargo volume and a range of 3,270 nautical miles (6,056
kilometers). The 767 Freighter is the only 60-ton freighter with international capability.
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The 777 family of airplanes is the established leader in the 300 to 400-seat
market segment and is preferred by airlines, passengers and investors around the
world. The 777 offers one of the most spacious and comfortable cabin interiors ever
developed, industry-leading reliability, and unmatched twin-engine economics.
The 777 – the world’s largest twinjet – is available in six models: the 777-200; the
777-200ER (Extended Range); a larger 777-300; new longer-range models the 777-
300ER and the 777-200LR Worldliner – the world’s longest range commercial airplane;
and the Boeing 777 Freighter.
The 777 seats from 301 up to 368 passengers in a three-class configuration with
a range of 5,210 nautical miles (9,649 km) for the 777-200; 5,955 nautical miles (11,029
km) for the 777-300; 7,730 nautical miles (14,316 km) for the 777-200ER; 7,888 nautical
miles (14,594 km) for the 777-300ER and; 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 km) for the 777-
200LR (Longer Range).
Highlighting the ability of the 777 to provide nonstop passenger service, the 777-
200LR set a world record for distance traveled nonstop by a commercial jetliner of
11,664 nautical miles (21,601 km) when it landed at London Heathrow airport after
traveling eastbound from Hong Kong on Nov. 10, 2005. The 777-200LR is capable of
connecting virtually any two cities nonstop around the globe.
Because the 777 design responds to market needs and customer preferences,
the result is an airplane offering cabin spaciousness and flexibility found in no other
jetliner – along with many features to enhance reliability and productivity – all with lower
operating costs. The 777 provides the most payload and range capability and growth
potential in the medium-sized airplane category.
Government, Military and VIP Airplanes – The qualities that make Boeing
jetliners the airplanes of choice for airlines around the world also are important in the
airplane selection processes of governments, military organizations and specialized
commercial operations. In addition to the Boeing Business Jet, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes also offers its full range of models for these applications. Many of these are
offered in partnership with the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems business unit.
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For airborne reconnaissance, the 737 airplane serves as the platform for
Airborne Early Warning & Control, and the 767 provides the platform for the Airborne
Warning and Control System, or AWACS, aircraft.
Boeing has long been the industry leader in providing refueling capability to the
world’s air forces with the KC-135 (the first derivative of the Boeing 367-80 prototype)
and the KC-10 (a DC-10 derivative). Today, the 767 is the platform for a new tanker that
has been selected by Japan and Italy and is under consideration for purchase by the
U.S. Air Force.
Boeing also offers its full commercial airplane product line as “Special Purpose
Airplanes,” available for configuration to customer-selected specifications. Whether
outfitted as a mobile base of operations for government and military officials or as a fully
equipped office complex for the chief business executive, Boeing jetliners offer high
reliability, excellent capability, low operating costs and worldwide technical support.
The Boeing Business Jet, designed for corporate and VIP applications, is a
special, high-performance derivative of the 737-700. The addition of auxiliary fuel tanks
provides owners with a business jet platform having a range capability of 6,200 nautical
miles (11,482 km).
In this era of increased international commerce and attendant travel demands for
entrepreneurs and government heads of state, comfort and productive flying time are
critical. Boeing and General Electric formed a joint venture – Boeing Business Jets – in
1996 to produce the BBJ with nearly three times the cabin space of traditional long-
range business jets at a comparable price. The BBJ can fly from Paris to Los Angeles –
or even farther – nonstop.
The versatility of the airplane allows owners to create a unique environment
tailored to their specific needs and seating requirements, whether it's for eight or 100
passengers; for private use, corporate, charter or government transport.
The BBJ 2, announced in 1999, is based on the 737-800. It has 25 percent more
interior space than the BBJ and twice the luggage space. Production of the first BBJ 2
began in September 2000, with entry into service in February 2002. The BBJ 3,
launched in 2006, is based on the 737-900ER. The jet provides 35 percent more interior
space than the BBJ and 89 percent more luggage space. The first BBJ 3 is expected to
enter service in 2009.
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In addition to the BBJ airplane family, Boeing also offers VIP versions of the 747-
8, 767, 777 and 787.
More than 89 BBJs are currently in service, with approximately 32 percent based
in North America and 68 percent based in Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin America
and the Middle East.
Boeing Fabrication is the largest consolidated operation in the world dedicated
to manufacturing airplane parts, assemblies and tools, and is the largest supplier to
Commercial Airplanes. Employing approximately 13,000 people, Boeing Fabrication has
manufacturing operations in Auburn, Frederickson and Everett, Wash.; Portland, Ore.;
Salt Lake City, Utah; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Winnipeg, Canada; as well as Fisherman’s
Bend (Melbourne) and Bankstown (Sydney), Australia.
Manufacturing millions of components per year used in production, modification
and spares support for all of the company’s commercial jetliners, Boeing Fabrication is
responsible for delivery and integration of work that requires complex, critical, emergent
and unique specialty production focused on precision machining, electrical and interior
systems, and advanced primary and secondary composite structures.
Boeing Fabrication’s strategic role for Commercial Airplanes is to provide high-
leverage best-value parts, assemblies, kitting, and delivery solutions that help ensure
readiness for current production and future airplane product development. Fabrication
also helps develop, support and leverage collaborative relationships with key global
partners, serving as a back-stop to the supply base and integrator of large-scale
systems prior to delivery to airplane final assembly. A vital asset within the Boeing
Production System, Fabrication works together with its Airplane Programs and
Commercial Aviation Services customers to align major commodity value streams and
increase quality and productivity from design through post-delivery support.
Commercial Aviation Services
Boeing Commercial Aviation Services is committed to the success of the air
transport industry, a commitment backed by an unmatched legacy and capability.
Established by Boeing 70 years ago, the forerunner of Commercial Aviation
Services set the standard for delivering the fundamentals of aviation support - spares,
training, maintenance documents, and technical advice. Today, the organization has
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greatly expanded its role and offers the broadest range of support products and
services in the industry.
Commercial Aviation Services is a highly customer-focused organization,
providing integrated solutions, products and services to improve fleet utilization, reduce
costs, leverage leading-edge information management, and ensure passenger well-
being. We help airplane operators achieve those benefits through our capabilities in five
key areas: customer support, material management, maintenance and engineering
services, fleet enhancements and modifications, and flight operations support.
Global Customer Support - Aviation is a global, round-the-clock business.
Boeing has developed a worldwide infrastructure to support airline schedules, resolve
technical difficulties, provide quick access to technical information and deliver vital
products and services when and where they’re needed.
At the forefront of the Boeing global support team are the company’s 330 field
service representatives and associates in 65 countries. Highly qualified and
experienced, they help customers keep their Boeing fleets in safe and profitable service,
provide timely on-site technical advice, and help ensure a smooth introduction of new
Boeing jetliners.
Service engineers and other technical experts staff the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Operations Center, which provides around-the-clock comprehensive airplane
support services for urgent airline structures, systems, materials and maintenance
issues. When an airplane is out of service because of damage or a major technical
problem, our incident recovery and repair service is ready to dispatch expert help
anywhere in the world. We also offer global facilities to provide fast and convenient
access to support products and services. Eight spare parts distribution centers, 23 flight
training facilities, and nine component repair centers offer unsurpassed support.
To further improve fleet support, Commercial Aviation Services operates
MyBoeingFleet.com, the air transport industry’s most successful business-to-business
web portal. Customers can access the portal as a single point of contact for obtaining
virtually all the information they need to maintain and operate their Boeing fleets.
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Material Management - Boeing operates the aviation industry’s most
comprehensive spare-parts sales and distribution network, maintaining inventory for
about 500,000 different types of parts to support the worldwide fleet.
Distribution centers in Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Singapore, Beijing, London,
Dubai and Amsterdam serve customers worldwide. An advanced mainframe computer
system links the centers, providing up-to-the-minute inventory control. Boeing
processes about 1.8 million spare-parts shipments annually. For speed and
convenience, customers may place orders and track shipments through the Boeing
PART Page web site, which is linked to the MyBoeingFleet portal.
To further improve logistics support, Boeing offers services for the repair,
overhaul and exchange of avionic and hardware components. The innovative Integrated
Materials Management (IMM) program relieves airlines of the burden of purchasing,
inventory management and logistics of expendable aircraft parts.
In September 2006, Boeing completed its purchase of Aviall, one of the world's
largest providers of new aviation parts and aftermarket services. Aviall is a perfect fit for
the Boeing strategy of providing supply-chain management solutions that help our
airline and military customers operate more efficiently and productively.
Maintenance and Engineering Services - Commercial Aviation Services
develops, manages and delivers the vast amount of technical information needed for
fleet maintenance and engineering support. Boeing has helped lead the industry in
converting to all-digital formats, improving accuracy and reducing storage needs. This
digitized information is available on MyBoeingFleet.
Boeing has pioneered digital tools to help speed airplane troubleshooting as well
as manage maintenance. Airplane Health Management, for example, is an integrated
family of information products and services that collects, monitors and analyzes airplane
data on in-service airplanes, allowing for faster repairs and, in many cases, the ability to
predict faults and prevent equipment failures before they occur. Boeing is taking the
next step by integrating its maintenance and engineering tools with its flight operations
tools to help operators achieve high levels of performance and operation.
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Fleet Enhancements and Modifications - With full access to the engineering
data used to design Boeing and Douglas jetliners, we can help airlines modify aircraft
configurations, enhance fleet performance and improve cabin amenities.
Our modification engineering staff can oversee passenger-to-freighter
conversions by providing design, engineering and project management expertise while
partnering with some of the industry’s best-known modification centers. With expertise
in large-scale systems integration, we offer avionics upgrade programs that include
engineering, design, parts and integrated manuals as well as customer support.
Flight Operations Support - Commercial Aviation Services provides full support
for airline flight operations, including innovative information-management solutions and
a global training network.
Offerings include flight technical publications such as flight manuals, dispatch
deviation guides, master minimum equipment lists, and other related documents, many
of which are available through MyBoeingFleet. Flight operations engineering support is
another vital function we provide, along with simulator data support.
We have taken a leading role in harnessing digital technology for improved flight
deck management. Commercial Aviation Services is a key player in Boeing’s overall
effort to e-enable the air transport system, working to integrate and manage all the
information generated in the air transport enterprise. Our solutions will help pilots,
maintenance crews and airline operations centers share vast stores of information
seamlessly and in real time. Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen, world leader in air
navigational charts, is a major contributor to this project.
Boeing operates the world’s largest airline training network through its wholly
owned subsidiary known as Alteon. Alteon combines the Boeing Training Center with 22
other facilities around the globe. These assets include advanced computer-based
training systems and more than 70 full-flight simulators.
Alteon offers initial and recurrent training on Boeing and non-Boeing airplanes in
the 100-seat-and-above airliner market. Course offerings cover a wide range of flight
and maintenance training, as well as safety training for cabin crews.
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Integrated Business Solutions - 787 GoldCare - As customers adopt multiple
Boeing services to maximize operational efficiency, Boeing offers the capability to
integrate offerings in order to best fit customers’ needs.
For the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing offers GoldCare, a set of comprehensive and
flexible airline business solutions to simplify customer operations and reduce cost at a
predictable price linked to airplane usage. GoldCare services include Integrated
Materials Management, and Engineering and Maintenance planning and control.
Other Commercial Airplanes highlights
Boeing Aircraft Trading – Since 1997, with the establishment of Boeing Aircraft
Trading, Boeing is the world’s leader in previously operated aircraft. Boeing Aircraft
Trading sells and leases Boeing-owned aircraft acquired through trades, lease returns
and other mechanisms, as well as aircraft from the secondary market that meet
Boeing’s high standards, to serve operators who must expand their fleet immediately or
who are not currently in a position to purchase brand-new equipment.
Every airplane offered by Boeing Aircraft Trading is fully backed by Boeing and
has met its high standards of quality and reliability. Boeing Aircraft Trading will not sell
or lease any airplane without a complete service record to ensure that the airplane has
been properly maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications and service
bulletins, and that it carries only authorized, documented parts.
Boeing corporate citizenship – Boeing is a vital corporate citizen, committed to
improving the quality of life in communities worldwide. Outside the U.S., our focus is on
health and human services and primary and secondary education. In the U.S., our focus
is education - early learning through 12th grade, as well as higher education; health and
human services; arts and culture; and civic and environmental issues.
Boeing and its employees contribute tens of millions of dollars each year in
corporate charitable investments, participation in volunteer programs, gift matching
programs, and the Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company, the world's
largest employee-owned charitable organization of its kind.
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March 2007
Contact: Boeing Airplane Programs Communications, 206-766-2910
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Major Boeing Commercial Airplanes Facilities
Renton, Wash. Seattle, Wash.
Commercial Airplanes Headquarters Commercial Aviation Services
Single-Aisle (final assembly) Global Customer Support
737 Spares and Logistics Support
Boeing Business Jet Maintenance & Engineering Services
Fleet Enhancements & Modifications
Flight Operations Support
Everett, Wash. Auburn, Frederickson, Everett, Wash.
Portland, Ore.
Twin-Aisle (final assembly) Salt Lake City, Utah
787 Oak Ridge, Tenn.
747 Winnipeg, Canada
767 Melbourne, Sydney, Australia
777
Boeing Fabrication
Emergent operations; complex precision
machining; specialty production focused
on advanced metal structures; tubes,
ducts and reservoirs; integrated aero
structures; electrical systems; interiors;
composites; spares.
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