Boeing may offer two 737 replacement solutions
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:42 pm
Boeing may offer two 737 replacement solutions. Environmental pressures may influence Boeing to offer two solutions for the 737 replacement market, although the effort on that front still is relatively low-key. Commercial Airplanes President Scott Carson suggested that environmental issues are a "top priority" at Boeing and that it may move the baseline for the 737 replacement higher than the current 90-200 seats to a 130/230-seat platform.
Carson continued to say, "environmental issues would put upward pressure on capacity." He said the manufacturer is conducting trade studies on two fuselage widths and possibly could offer the market two solutions with common cockpits, wings and engines. This concept is not new and was floated as the Low Cost Modular Aircraft by a McDonnell Douglas engineer in August 1997.
A wider twin-aisle fuselage for the larger offering would help turn times, which have been a particular problem in the U.S. where carry-on baggage is a major factor in slowing boarding. Carson noted, however, that passengers are checking more bags since the US Dept. of Homeland Security banned liquids and gels from hand luggage except in 3-oz. bottles, thus alleviating the problem somewhat. Both the proposed 180-seat DC-11 in the early 1980s and Boeing's proposed 180-seat 7J7 in the late 1980s had two aisles.
Carson said one engine-maker has indicated it would have a powerplant ready by late 2011 and added that the 737 replacement's design is "likely to be all-composite." On timing, he was emphatic that entry into service for the 787, 747-8 and 777F remains the highest priority and will occur before the company ramps up effort on the 737 replacement. EIS timelines of around 2013-14 have been suggested by some analysts. Source: Air Transport World
Carson continued to say, "environmental issues would put upward pressure on capacity." He said the manufacturer is conducting trade studies on two fuselage widths and possibly could offer the market two solutions with common cockpits, wings and engines. This concept is not new and was floated as the Low Cost Modular Aircraft by a McDonnell Douglas engineer in August 1997.
A wider twin-aisle fuselage for the larger offering would help turn times, which have been a particular problem in the U.S. where carry-on baggage is a major factor in slowing boarding. Carson noted, however, that passengers are checking more bags since the US Dept. of Homeland Security banned liquids and gels from hand luggage except in 3-oz. bottles, thus alleviating the problem somewhat. Both the proposed 180-seat DC-11 in the early 1980s and Boeing's proposed 180-seat 7J7 in the late 1980s had two aisles.
Carson said one engine-maker has indicated it would have a powerplant ready by late 2011 and added that the 737 replacement's design is "likely to be all-composite." On timing, he was emphatic that entry into service for the 787, 747-8 and 777F remains the highest priority and will occur before the company ramps up effort on the 737 replacement. EIS timelines of around 2013-14 have been suggested by some analysts. Source: Air Transport World