Comfy 737s... Who Knew? Unveils 787-Like Performance, Comfort Changes to Next-Gen 737s

After declaring a regular quarterly dividend of 42 cents per share, Boeing is also reporting that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate a new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting in late 2010. The interior features soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead.

The airlines are:

• FlyDubai - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Continental Airlines - Houston
• Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA - Fornebu, Norway
• Malaysia Airlines - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• TUI Travel PLC - London
• GOL Airlines - Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Lion Air - Jakarta, Indonesia

Borrowing Details From The 787

Drawing from research used to design the interior for the 787 Dreamliner, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new, 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that draw passengers' eyes to the airplane's windows, giving passengers a greater connection to the flying experience. On a more practical note, the sidewall design integrates the air vent so that before-flight security checks go more quickly for maintenance staff.

The new design offers larger, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passengers room to store a carry-on roll-aboard near their own seat, adding both extra convenience and extra legroom. Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call button.

Speakers are integrated into each row's passenger-service unit to improve sound and clarity of public address operations, while the new integrated air vent and improved noise-dampening materials reduce overall cabin noise.

More Efficient/Clean

Changes to the Next-Generation 737 are more than cosmetic: Boeing is targeting a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. Airplane structural improvements will reduce drag on the airplane, reducing fuel use by about 1 percent. Boeing's engine partner, CFM, is contributing the other 1 percent fuel savings through hardware changes to its engine.

Continental Airlines will make a Next-Generation 737-800 available to Boeing to flight test the performance improvements.

FMI: www.boeing.com