With the long-awaited Boeing 787 airplane delivery date fast approaching and the recently released Boeing Sky Interiors on its 737 aircraft, Boeing is now evaluating its options for building a brand-new single-aisle aircraft vs. continuing to upgrade the existing 737 series, according to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal.
This discussion took place at an investor conference held yesterday in Seattle.
At stake is the time to market. A brand-new airplane would not likely enter service until the end of the decade, while a more fuel-efficient redesign of the 737 could be ready for market much sooner. The 737 is the best-selling commercial jet of all time, with more than 6,500 aircraft manufactured since the airplane began flying in the late 1960s.
Until recently, Boeing was leaning heavily on designing a new airplane, according to the Journal article, “but in recent weeks, that position appears to be softening.” Of great concern is the decision by rival Airbus to re-engineer the A320 family, which competes directly with the 737. The re-engineered A320 series is expected to commence delivery in 2016 and Airbus has already received hundreds of orders for the updated A320, according to the article.
Though the Journal article did not mention other aircraft manufacturers, both Boeing and Airbus could soon find themselves competing with Bombardier, which historically manufactured much smaller regional jets, but is scheduled to begin delivery in 2013 of its new “C Series” aircraft, capable of holding up to 150 passengers.
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