Boeing Begins Work on 1,000th 777

777 program reaches milestone faster than any other twin-aisle airplane

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) workers today began assembling the 1,000th 777. The airplane is a Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) model. It will be delivered to Dubai-based Emirates Airline in March 2012.

Emirates is the largest 777 customer with 95 777s currently in its fleet; the 1,000th 777 will be its 102nd.

Production began with loading of the 97-foot (29.5 meter) wing spar – the main support structure for the wing – into a giant tool that automatically drills, measures and installs more than 5,000 fasteners into the spar. The spar components are built in Auburn, Wash., by Boeing Fabrication employees.

"We reached this milestone in only 16 years, eight years sooner than the runner up the 747, because of the enormous popularity of the airplane by the airlines that operate it, and the passengers who fly on it," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 777 program. "Sixty-four airlines have ordered 1,295 777s. The numbers prove that the 777 is the world's preferred airplane. In fact, it's preferred 1,000 times over."

A ceremony to mark the start of production was held today in Everett. Additional employee thank-you events will be held as the airplane moves through the 49-day build process.

"We couldn't have reached this milestone without the innovation and inspiration of the thousands of employees here at Boeing and at the more than 500 suppliers around the globe that build the 777," Loftis said. "We thank them and honor them for their contribution to aviation history," he said.

Boeing Opens South Carolina Delivery Center

First South Carolina-built 787 Dreamliner delivers in 2012

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today marked the opening of its new South Carolina Delivery Center at a ribbon cutting ceremony in North Charleston.  Elected officials and representatives from community and business groups, suppliers and subcontractors joined more than 500 Boeing employees to commemorate the occasion.

In honor of Veterans Day, Boeing South Carolina paid tribute to veteran teammates by selecting men and women who served in the armed forces from various site operations to assist in cutting the ribbon on stage.

"Today, we celebrate the opening of the Boeing South Carolina Delivery Center and look forward to delivering our first South Carolina-built 787s in 2012," said Jack Jones, vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina.  "Customers will come from around the world to take delivery of their 787 and will see the great pride and talent of our Boeing South Carolina teammates."

Boeing's Site Services Group, CJMW Architecture and the KBR Building Group were recognized at the ceremony for bringing construction of the building to completion on schedule. In addition, the KBR Building Group worked more than 4.7 million labor-hours on the Boeing South Carolina site without a lost time incident.

"Thank you to CJMW, KBR/Turner JV and SSG for their hard work in getting this building open and ready for us to start delivering airplanes," said Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and general manager, Final Assembly & Delivery, Boeing South Carolina. "We would not be here today without their dedication. I'd also like to thank our state and local government and industry partners for also making today possible. Today's ribbon cutting represents the last major piece of construction on our new Boeing South Carolina campus."

The 58,000 square foot facility includes three floors of offices, conference rooms and food operations. On the second floor, two passenger boarding bridges provide airplane access to customers, the first passenger boarding bridges to be used at a Boeing Delivery Center.

More than 600 tons of steel, 2,800 cubic yards of concrete, 42,000 square feet of exterior metal panels and 14,000 square feet of glass were used in the building's construction. The flight line has approximately 115,000 cubic yards of concrete with seven flight stalls serving as the working offices for flight service technicians before the delivery of the 787.

The South Carolina Final Assembly and Delivery facility will ramp up to produce three 787 Dreamliners per month by the end of 2013.

Boeing, Oman Air Announce Order for Six Boeing 787 Dreamliners

- Order increases Boeing's 787 customer base in Middle East

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Oman Air, Sultanate of Oman's flagship carrier, today announced an order for six Boeing 787-8s at the Dubai Airshow.

The airline completed an arrangement with Boeing and Kuwait-based leasing company ALAFCO to transfer existing orders for the six Dreamliners from ALAFCO to Oman Air.

"Our decision to order the 787-8 is part of Oman Air's long-term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes," said Peter Hill, chief executive officer, Oman Air. "We see direct benefits because of the Dreamliner's fuel efficiency and operating economics as well as the enhanced travel experience that Oman Air will be able to offer its customers aboard this airplane."

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency using 20 percent less fuel than today's similarly sized airplanes. The key to the exceptional performance of the 787 Dreamliner is a suite of new technologies, including advanced composite materials, systems, aerodynamics and engines. Passengers will also see improvements on the 787, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.

Since its establishment in 1993, Oman Air has witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East. The airline currently operates direct international flights from Muscat to 41 destinations across the Gulf, the Levant, Europe, East Africa and Asia. Oman Air's commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in international acclaim, including major regional and international awards and an Official 4 Star Airline (Skytrax 2011) rating.

"Boeing and Oman Air share a decade-long partnership and we look forward to opening a new chapter together with the 787 Dreamliner," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We see the 787 as a perfect complement to Oman Air's growing fleet, which will enable them to serve new destinations and enhance customer experience with the world's most advanced passenger jet."