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Boeing Looks to Old 777 Model in Airbus Battle

Will re-tool tanker to compete for Pentagon refueling contract

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2009 11:57 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With its 787 Dreamliner delayed, Boeing is turning to its 14-year-old 777 to compete with Airbus’ next plane, Bloomberg reports. At the Paris Air Show today, Boeing said it may make a new wing for the 777 in an effort to boost fuel efficiency, and will also showcase a 777-based tanker to rejoin the battle with Airbus for a Pentagon contract.

Airbus’ next plane, the A350, boasts 350 seats, beating out the 787’s 290—but a 777 with wing improvements could offer fuel efficiency with 370 seats. Another possibility: a 310-seat Dreamliner. Looking forward, Boeing’s plans depend “a lot on what the A350 really produces,” said the firm’s commercial planes head. The next plane “could be a re-winged 777, it could be an all-new airplane, and it could be the 777 is fine the way it is.”

In this Jan. 30, 2009 file photo, the Boeing 777 line is shown at Boeing Co.'s airplane assembly plant in Everett, Wash.
In this Jan. 30, 2009 file photo, the Boeing 777 line is shown at Boeing Co.'s airplane assembly plant in Everett, Wash.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Tom Enders, president and CEO of Airbus, listens to a reporter's question during a news conference at the first day of the Farnborough aerospace show, in Farnborough, England, July 14, 2008.
Tom Enders, president and CEO of Airbus, listens to a reporter's question during a news conference at the first day of the Farnborough aerospace show, in Farnborough, England, July 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Boeing executive vice president Scott Carson addresses reporters during a press conference on the opening day of the 48th Paris Air Show at the Bourget airport, Monday June 15, 2009.
Boeing executive vice president Scott Carson addresses reporters during a press conference on the opening day of the 48th Paris Air Show at the Bourget airport, Monday June 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
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Pentagon • Boeing • Airbus • fuel tankers • Boeing 787 Dreamliner • Airbus A350 • contract • Boeing 777

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