READY TO CONNECT THE DOTS

Media takes interest in 777-200LR’s debut

Last month’s rollout of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner created extensive media interest in the airplane’s ability to connect almost any two cities in the world.

“The prospect of flying nonstop between Britain and Australia drew closer yesterday as the first of a new generation of long-range aircraft rolled off Boeing’s production line in Seattle,” wrote The Guardian, a major newspaper in the United Kingdom. “Boeing’s 777-200LR is the first passenger jet capable of flying from London to Sydney fully laden, without refueling.”

“This amazing airplane will connect virtually any two cities in the world with nonstop service,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Several news sources noted that one month after Airbus unveiled its superjumbo A380, which can carry up to 800 passengers, Boeing unveiled the one that could fly the farthest.

“This is extraordinary value we’re going to bring to customers,” said Lars Andersen, vice president, program manager, 777 program, in an Everett (Wash.) Herald report. “This airplane will certainly go the distance to connect the world.”

The 777-200LR (Longer Range) underscores Boeing’s view that airline passengers prefer to fly nonstop from point to point, instead of through hubs. With a range of 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 kilometers), the 777-200LR lets carriers serve nonstop routes such as New York–Singapore and Los Angeles–Dubai at full passenger capacity and carry revenue cargo. It’s expected to make its first flight in March and will be delivered first to launch customer Pakistan International Airlines in January 2006.

ABC NEWS’ JENNINGS VISITS RENTON

Peter Jennings (right, in photo), anchor and senior editor of ABC News’ “World News Tonight,” toured the Boeing site in Renton, Wash., last month as part of a Seattle-based broadcast of the program. In the segment about Boeing, Jennings explained the company’s important role in the history of aviation. He also talked to employees at Renton about the recent downturn and recovery in the commercial jetliner marketplace. Escorting Jennings on his visit were Randy Baseler (left), Commercial Airplanes vice president of Marketing, and Carolyn Corvi, now vice president and general manager of Airplane Production for Commercial Airplanes.