Published March 2003

Boeing gives new jet
a working name: 7E7

By Bryan Corliss
Herald Business Writer

The Boeing Co. has a new working name for its next jet, a new executive to lead the program, and new initiatives that could change the way the airplane is built and sold.

The plane will be called the 7E7, at least for now, the company said in late January.

The 7E7 will be a conventionally styled midsize jet that will be up to 20 percent more fuel-efficient than the comparably sized 767, Boeing officials say.

It will incorporate much of the technology of the now-shelved Sonic Cruiser program, including lighter composite materials, more powerful and efficient next-generation engines, and more efficient electronics that will draw less power off those engines, allowing them to perform better, officials say.

The “E” in 7E7 stands for a number of the new plane’s attributes, said spokesman Tom Brabant: economical, efficient, environmentally friendly or even “e-enabled,” a reference to Connexion, Boeing’s new aerial Internet technology.

Boeing says the twin-aisle 7E7 will seat 200 to 250 passengers and have a range of 8,000 to 9,200 miles. That would be a breakthrough for a midsize jet. Most commercial jets with that range are larger, because larger planes can carry more fuel.

The plane is expected to enter service in 2008, Boeing said.

The 7E7 moniker is a temporary designation, Brabant said. When the plane actually comes to market, it will receive its permanent name.

That should happen next year. The plan is to take a final design and business plan to the Boeing board of directors early next year to seek their approval to start selling the 7E7, said Michael Bair, who on Jan. 29 was named senior vice president in charge of the jet’s development.

But three things need to happen first, Bair said. “It’s going to be a busy year.”

First, engineers need to nail down the final details of the plane’s configuration. Bair said that’s “90 percent done,” but the exact size and range specifications have not been settled.

Boeing has consulted with about 20 airlines worldwide on the new design, Bair said, and continues to work with a group of them.

The company also is in talks with key suppliers who will provide components for the aircraft, Bair said.

Those suppliers will be involved more deeply and intimately with the 7E7 than any previous Boeing jet, Bair said, and Boeing is working with them to figure out a plan for that.

Boeing also is outlining a plan for an industry first — a service plan that airlines could purchase along with the new airplane.

It would work something like the service plans automakers offer with new cars, Bair said. Jet purchasers would be able to bring planes back to Boeing for routine maintenance, similar to how car owners bring their vehicles into dealerships for maintenance.

The airline industry is not only ready for such an innovation, “it needs it,” Bair said.

Before the Jan. 29 announcement, Bair led the Boeing unit that works with airline customers on maintenance, training and other support services, and he was in charge of restructuring that division.

Prior to that, the 46-year-old Bair was vice president of business strategy and marketing, where he worked on developing ways to market Boeing’s future products and services.

In his new position, Bair will report to Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Alan Mulally. In turn, Walt Gillette, who led Boeing’s Sonic Cruiser development program, will report to Bair.

Brabant called the 61-year-old Gillette “a great engineer,” and said the realignment will “allow him to remain focused on designing the airplane” while Bair takes responsibility for the business plan.

Also, Boeing announced that John Feren will lead sales and marketing of the new jet. He most recently was the company’s vice president of sales for airlines of the Americas and leasing companies worldwide.

Craig Saddler will lead finance and business operations. Saddler formerly was chief financial officer of Boeing’s Shared Services Group.

In addition, Boeing said Michael Cave, Boeing Commercial Airplane’s chief financial officer, will replace Bair in the Commercial Aviation Services department. Robert Pasterick will replace Cave.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related: Aerospace Briefs

Back to the top/March 2003 Main Menu