Offered On Entire Boeing Fleet; Standard On 787s

Though overshadowed by Boeing's announcement Tuesday of surpassing the 500-orders mark for its 787, thanks in part to a follow-on order from Japan Airlines... both entities also made news with the announcement Japan Airlines International will install Boeing's Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) on two new 777 airplanes to be delivered beginning this year.

Representatives with Boeing tell ANN a 777-200 scheduled for delivery in May, and a 777-300ER scheduled to join the fleet later in the year, will be equipped with the advanced EFBs -- the first such order from JAL, which operates 38 777s and has another eight on order.

Boeing bills its Class 3 EFB as a pilot-dedicated flight-deck computer integrated into an airplane's avionics, that has become a must-have device for airlines looking to improve both the safety and efficiency of their 777 fleets.

"We know our passengers will appreciate our willingness to invest in technology that helps us improve the safety, value and service we offer," said Tadao "Tad" Sakai, vice president, Japan Airlines Flight Operations Engineering Department. "We're convinced that with the Boeing Electronic Flight Bag, Japan Airlines has picked a device that will help give us a powerful competitive advantage."

Boeing's EFB has recorded more than 1,000 total orders since it was introduced for sale in 2002. It has been ordered for Next-Generation 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s and 787s (the Class 3 EFB comes as standard equipment on the 787 Dreamliner).

"We are pleased that Japan Airlines has picked Boeing to be a partner in its drive to continuously improve operations," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "Boeing's Electronic Flight Bag represents a critical piece of our effort to enable airlines to gather and use timely information throughout their operation."

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.jal.com