Final Boeing 717 Begins Production on Moving Assembly Line
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Feb. 8, 2006)
LONG BEACH, Calif. — The final Boeing 717 began production this week on the moving assembly line in Long Beach, Calif. This milestone marks the final phase of assembly before the airplane delivers to airline customer AirTran Airways in May.
The airplane is the 156th 717 produced by Boeing. The 717 program helped shape Boeing business practices through its supplier partnerships and applying principles of lean manufacturing.
“We challenged the traditional way of thinking and operating to create a great airplane at a reasonable cost,” said Pat McKenna, vice president and general manager of the 717 program. “From its concept to production, this airplane has been a team effort that benefits the world’s airlines and passengers.”
Developed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95 and renamed the 717 after the merger with Boeing in 1997, the 100-seat airplane will provide excellent economics, performance and reliability to the world’s airlines for years to come.
The 717 model is the last commercial airplane produced in the Southern California factory. More than 15,000 airplanes have been produced in Long Beach since the plant opened in 1941.
-ends-
By: Bmused55 - 15th February 2006 at 06:40
The thing is it’s only a 100 seater compared to the A320 with 160 seats
Very true indeed.
Still if Qantas or Qantas link wanted some more, they should have ordered.
By: steve rowell - 15th February 2006 at 06:24
They shot themselves in the foot by ordering those A320’s for Jetstar. Not to say the aircraft are in any way a poor choice on their own, just to say that Boeing were there and offering the 717 to them. A Qantas order would have kept the line open.
The thing is it’s only a 100 seater compared to the A320 with 160 seats
By: Hand87_5 - 14th February 2006 at 16:42
Sad day indeed.
I will be in Long Beach in May. Maybe I will have a chance to take a picture for you guys.
By: Schorsch - 14th February 2006 at 09:26
The B717 or MD-95 really had bad luck. Both MDD-programs were more or less cancelled. The 717 challenged Boeing 737, especially on the home market. Unfortunately it means one contender less on the single aisle market. I think the B717/MD-95 would have been a usable design for years to come.
By: Airline owner - 14th February 2006 at 09:11
oh rite. They had one helluva striking livery though
By: steve rowell - 14th February 2006 at 09:07
murph, the 717 did have a time in the low cast market with the now non operational airline ‘impulse’. The airline had…5 i think?!
They’re are still Impulse aircraft operating under the Qantaslink banner
By: Airline owner - 14th February 2006 at 09:01
murph, the 717 did have a time in the low cast market with the now non operational airline ‘impulse’. The airline had…5 i think?!
By: Bmused55 - 14th February 2006 at 07:24
I know Qantaslink are delightfully happy with 717 and were looking at purchasing more
Looks like they’ll be of the second hand variety now
They shot themselves in the foot by ordering those A320’s for Jetstar. Not to say the aircraft are in any way a poor choice on their own, just to say that Boeing were there and offering the 717 to them. A Qantas order would have kept the line open.
By: US Agent - 14th February 2006 at 07:09
Not connected to Long Beach, but I don’t think they build the C-17s there any longer…(it was just the early models)…
By: pierrepjc - 14th February 2006 at 00:00
Shame the “Lean” bit spread down to the orders. Last of the Douglas commercials.
Question to anyone connected to Long Beach, is the C17 the only airframe in production there?
Paul
By: murph - 13th February 2006 at 22:29
It could have done really really well had it been marketed better. Someone like Qantaslink liked it.
Would it have ever had a future in the low-cost market?
By: steve rowell - 13th February 2006 at 21:17
I know Qantaslink are delightfully happy with 717 and were looking at purchasing more
Looks like they’ll be of the second hand variety now
By: Flying-forever - 13th February 2006 at 20:08
Farwell 717 i always like the design of it
By: Ren Frew - 13th February 2006 at 11:46
Farewell DC-9, sorry folks but that’s what it really is to me. 🙁
By: fightingirish - 13th February 2006 at 10:20
The last McDonnell Douglas commercial airplane…. 🙁 🙁 🙁
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February 13, 2006 at 5:27 am