Boeing VP Mike Delaney Says New Airplane Will Open Up Key City Pairs

Boeing says that the new two-member mid-sized airplane family will open up new opportunities in the 220- to 270-seat market much as the Dreamliner did for the segment it serves by opening up city pairs that are not profitable for larger aircraft and not reachable by smaller ones.

In a press briefing in advance of the Paris Air Show, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president and general manager of airplane development Mike Delaney said that the Dreamliner has opened up 140 new city pairs for its customers that offer seat costs similar to a 777 at a much lower per-trip cost. The New Midsize Airplane (NMA) family will do the same in that niche. He said that airline customers he talks to "don't see a replacement of the 757. They see the future." according to a report from AIM Online.

Boeing plans to introduce the 4,500- to 5,000-nautical mile airliners in the mid 2020s. Airlines are particularly interested in better cabin comfort and shorter turn times at airports, which would indicate a desire for a twin-aisle aircraft.

Delaney called the NMA a "transformational program" for Boeing. He said engine companies are responding very well to the concept, adding that the biggest challenge will be integrating any engine with the airframe, regardless of thrust requirements.

(Image courtesy of Boeing)

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