Boeing and Norwegian Announce Order for 100 737 MAX; 22 Next-Generation 737s
- Record order from a European airline, valued at $11.4 billion at list prices
- Norwegian is first European 737 MAX customer

Boeing and Norwegian have announced a firm order for 100 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes and 22 Next-Generation 737-800s. The total order is valued at $11.4 billion at list prices and represents the largest-ever Boeing order from a European airline.

Oslo-based Norwegian is the first European carrier to finalize an order for the 737 MAX. The order supports Norwegian's plans to build on the success provided by its fleet of Next-Generation 737-800s for its rapidly expanding operations.

"Norwegian has become one of the largest 737 operators in Europe and has been a valued Boeing partner since the airline was established," said Aldo Basile, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president Sales, Europe. "Since it began operating in 2002, Norwegian has achieved tremendous success with its low-cost model, providing significant value to both its passengers and shareholders."

"This is a historic day for Norwegian – we have secured our fleet renewal for years to come and are very pleased with the agreement with Boeing," said Norwegian's CEO Bjorn Kjos. "Boeing has played a major part in our strategy to develop a cost efficient and environmentally friendly operation with high customer satisfaction. We are very happy to continue our valuable cooperation and we are proud to be the first 737 MAX customer in Europe."

"The 737 MAX will deliver fuel savings better than any competing single-aisle airplane on the market," said Basile. "We're really pleased to provide this great performance to Norwegian. Improved financial performance and improved environmental performance go hand-in-hand as fuel burn is lowered."

The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The airplane will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines which will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-12 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. The 737 MAX will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage per seat over tomorrow's competition.

This order continues the momentum for the 737 MAX. With the Norwegian order, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for more than 1,000 airplanes from 15 customers and the Next-Generation 737 family has orders for more than 6,300 airplanes.

Norwegian currently operates a fleet of 62 airplanes: 48 Next-Generation 737-800s and 14 737-300s. Including today's announcement, Norwegian has 184 unfilled orders for Boeing airplanes including: 100 737 MAX airplanes, 78 Next-Generation 737-800s and six 787 Dreamliners from Boeing and leasing company partners.

Carrying nearly 16 million passengers in 2011, Norwegian is the third-largest low-cost airline in Europe. Norwegian currently operates more than 300 routes across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East and employs approximately 2,500 people. The company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2003.

OSLO, Norway, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/

Airline announces order for eight 777-300ERs

Boeing reached a major milestone with Saudi Arabian Airlines when it delivered the airline's first two 777-300ERs (extended range), marking another step forward in Boeing's historic and enduring relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At the delivery ceremony, Saudi Arabian Airlines also announced an order for eight 777-300ERs valued at $2.4 billion at current list prices. This order was previously accounted for on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website in 2011.

"The new order reiterates our confidence in the 777 which has justifiably earned a reputation for its improved fuel efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort," said H.E. Eng. Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines. "With the ongoing growth of business and industry in Saudi Arabia, demand in domestic, regional and international travel is also increasing rapidly and the 777-300ER will play a significant role in our long-term strategy growth to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes."

The partnership between Boeing and Saudi Arabia dates back to 1945 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented a DC-3 Dakota airplane to King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the founder of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of its first 777, a 777-200ER, in December 1997 and currently owns and operates 23 Boeing 777-200ERs.

"We are grateful for the confidence Saudi Arabian Airlines has placed in the 777 and in Boeing," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We will continue working closely with the airline to provide the best commercial aircraft and services to support its plans for growth, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Saudi Arabia by supporting the Kingdom's goals for technology development and education."

The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. The airplane carries passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).The 777-300ER offers airlines additional flexibility in serving the nonstop routes that passengers demand. Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.

News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Coming to Bangkok, Singapore for Third Segment of Dream Tour

Boeing will begin the third segment of the 787 Dream Tour next month with two stops in Asia. The all-new Dreamliner will visit Bangkok, Thailand and Singapore where customers, partners, government officials and media will experience the revolutionary technology and passenger innovation firsthand.

"We look forward to showcasing the game-changing technologies of the 787 to our valued customers and partners in the Asia-Pacific region," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 787 program.

The February schedule includes the following stops:

Feb. 9-11: Bangkok, Thailand to visit Thai Airways International.

Feb. 11-18: Singapore to visit Singapore Airlines and to be on display at the Singapore Airshow.

The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

Dates and locations for additional tour stops will be announced approximately one month in advance. At the stops, local media will have the opportunity to participate in tours of the airplane and discussions with Boeing executives and pilots.

For updates on the 787 Dream Tour, including videos, photos and reports from the tour stops, visit www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

News Release Issued: News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/

Boeing this month will begin the second segment of the 787 Dream Tour, with four stops planned in the U.S. and Ireland.

"The all-new 787 Dreamliner continues to generate tremendous enthusiasm everywhere it flies," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 787 program. "We look forward to sharing the Dreamliner's significant innovations with additional airlines, partners and financiers."

The January schedule includes the following stops:

Jan. 20-23: Wichita, Kan., to visit partner Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing employees.

Jan. 23-25: Rockford, Ill., to visit partner Hamilton Sundstrand.

Jan. 25-27: Dublin, Ireland, to visit airline customers, leasing companies, financiers and other stakeholders.

Jan. 27-30: Huntsville, Ala., to visit Boeing employees.

The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features, including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

Dates and locations for additional tour stops, which are planned through April, will be announced approximately one month in advance. At many of the stops, local media will have the opportunity to participate in tours of the airplane and discussions with Boeing executives and pilots.

For updates on the 787 Dream Tour, including videos, photos and reports from the tour stops, visit www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/

- Company delivers first 737 built at the new rate of 35 airplanes a month
- Celebrates employee achievements and Renton site selection for 737 MAX

Boeing today successfully achieved a production rate of 35 airplanes a month for the Next-Generation 737, with the delivery of the first airplane produced at the new rate to AWAS Aviation Services, Inc. Norwegian Air Shuttle will lease the airplane from AWAS. The 35th airplane to be built at the new rate is on schedule to roll out of the factory today which demonstrates that the production system has been operating successfully at a rate of 35 airplanes a month.

Employees will focus on stabilizing the production rate at 35 a month while investments are underway to go up in rate to 38 737s a month in second quarter 2013 and 42 a month in the first half of 2014.

Leaders of the 737 program acknowledged employees' contributions to achieving the record rate at an employee celebration at the Renton factory today. Employee teams implemented new lean improvements to create production capacity.

"Working as a team, we have achieved production levels never previously reached," Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, told employees. "It's because of the focus and dedication of 737 employees that we've reduced waste in our production system and identified opportunities to further increase our productivity.

"The first airplane at the 35-a-month production pace rolled out of the factory the smoothest ever. Only eight jobs were completed outside of our production sequence out of thousands and we only experienced three part shortages during production," Wyse said.

The program also celebrated securing production of the 737 MAX at the Renton factory. "The capability of this team played heavily into the decision to keep the 737 MAX here in Renton," Wyse said. "With the years of dedication and experience our employees have, there's no one better at designing and building the 737."

News Release Issued: RENTON, Wash., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/