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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Boeing Looks to Old 777 Model in Airbus Battle

Will re-tool tanker to compete for Pentagon refueling contract

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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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ANALYSIS

 Problems Sour Boeing's 'Dream Summer' 


Aug 6, 09 5:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - Boeing was expecting to ride high on defense contracts in mid-2009 even as its 787 Dreamliner transformed air travel—but widespread problems have shadowed the firm's "dream summer," Dan Reed writes in USA Today. The Dreamliner's launch was delayed for a fifth time after structural problems were discovered,... More »

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Boeing • aerospace • Boeing 787 Dreamliner • aircraft • Jim McNerney • defense contractors

(Newser) - Boeing Co. today agreed to buy the manufacturing operations of South Carolina-based Vought Aircraft Industries, a key supplier for its much-delayed 787 Dreamliner, in a deal that’s causing much consternation in Seattle, NPR reports. Boeing has long threatened to leave its production base in Washington state for cheaper pastures,... More »

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Boeing • South Carolina • mergers and acquisitions • Washington • Boeing 787 Dreamliner • Seattle

 Qantas Cancels 
 Massive Boeing Order 

Order for 15 Dreamliners scrapped as craft's test flight is delayed again

Jun 26, 09 1:23 AM CDT
(Newser) - Qantas Airways has dealt a heavy blow to Boeing's troubled Dreamliner project with the cancellation of a major order, Bloomberg reports. The Australian airline scrapped an order for 15 of the 787s, and deferred an order for 15 more. Qantas said the move was due to industry conditions and not... More »

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63 Stories


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Pentagon • Boeing • Airbus • fuel tankers • Boeing 787 Dreamliner • Airbus A350 • contract • Boeing 777

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