Boeing said thursday that it will outline plans at next weeks Paris Airshow for development of a new version of the long haul 747 jet. The plans build on the “747-800” project, which focuses on more seating capacity and longer range than the current 747s, said Randolh baseler, Vice President of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes,in London.
In 2001 Boeing scrapped it’s 747X plans for a new family of three jumbo jets that group would have included a 525 seat version the 747X stretch,as well as two other models.
Only one of three -an extended range version of the standard 747 was brought into production as the 747-400ER
By: Cyprioteagle - 14th June 2003 at 13:31
Martin EGTK..
I have to disagree to your comment about the B7E7 ever making it to the skies.
As I have stated previously some time ago, forecasts of the traffic made by both Airbus and by Boeing revealed that there will be a demand for a 240 seater aircraft, (i.e. A300Family or B767-200 and 300). All these models are old and gradually phasing out of production. So, Boeing if they manage to develop the B7E7, and comes to the standards they are promising, then they may get the niche in the market.
On the other hand, Airbus is currently busy and “blind” with the A380, and has no plans for the moment to begin replacing the A300 family, as a result it may give them an advantage to Boeing.
As far as Boeing 747 newer versions, it is interesting to see whether the potential of developing newer versions of the aircraft are been reduced. Some believe that a Boeing 747 is a Boeing 747 and fewer investment will be required to develop a new derivative of the aircraft.
However, consider the A340-200/300 and the A340-500/600. They are all A340, however the design and aerodynamics of the A340-500/600 is so much different than the other A340’s and a deal time of effort and investment was made to develop the newer A340’s. I believe the same problem will be faced by Boeing in an attempt to develop further the B747-400…(unless of course they have reasons to believe that the market will not sustain a 555 seater but a relatively lower density i.e. 522 seater, which really considering the economics, the additioal 33 seats will be an extra revenue potential for the airline and NOT an additional cost.
By: martin_EGTK - 14th June 2003 at 13:18
What is it with Boeing at the moment, they can’t seem to settle on anything, we had the 747X program – Cancelled, The Sonic Cruiser – Cancelled. To be honest I don’t think the 7E7 will ever make it into the skies, no wonder they are now trailing behind Airbus.
By: robc - 14th June 2003 at 09:33
Well everyone here always goes on about how the A380 will mark the end of the 747, well ive always believed they would make a bigger 747, its simpler than completely designing a plane form scratch
By: greekdude1 - 14th June 2003 at 02:37
Good, it’s about time they woke up. Whether or not they follow through with this, remains to be seen.
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June 14, 2003 at 2:23 am