close
close

Boeing's new 797 will be built in Washington

This post was brought to you by Simple Flying.

Boeing has just reached a comprehensive preliminary agreement affecting over 33,000 Boeing employees In its statement about the deal, Boeing said it plans to build the highly anticipated 797 midsize airliner in Washington. The proposed New Midsize Airplane (NMA) has been touted for about a decade, but these are the first concrete plans for the project

Boeing 797 is built in Washington

In a September 8 press release, Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said:

” Just as important, this contract reinforces our commitment to the Pacific Northwest. Boeing's roots are here in Washington, where generations of workers have built incredible airplanes that connect the world. .”

Photo: First Class Photography | Shutterstock

In the video message to employees, Pope continued:

” And that's why we're excited that our team in the Puget Sound region will build Boeing's next new airplane under the contract. It would join our other flagship models and means job security for generations to come. It's a big commitment to you and our community. “

“Boeing's next new aircraft” is said to be the Boeing New Midsize Airplane, colloquially known as the Boeing 797. It is unclear when the aircraft will go into production, although the statement suggests that Boeing is continuing its development and expects to put it into service at some point

Boeing 797 – the new mid-range aircraft

The so-called Boeing 797 remains a concept aircraft designed to fill the mid-market segment – a gap created in part by the cessation of production of the Boeing 757. In 2015, Boeing estimated the market was large enough to continue development, and by 2017, several airlines had expressed interest (estimates put demand at between 2,000 and 4,000 aircraft).

The aircraft is believed to be a twin-aisle aircraft with two variants (a 225-seater with a range of 5,000 NM and a 275-seater with a range of 4,450 NM). This would replace the now-ageing Boeing 757 and, if built, would offer significantly (40%) lower trip costs. In January 2020, when Boeing was still reeling from the aftermath of two fatal 737 MAX crashes, it was reported that these plans had been put on hold.

a big plane flying in the sky
Photo: Ken Iwelumo | Wikimedia Commons

Later, in 2020, there was Speculation that Boeing would change the design to a short-haul narrow-body which was only slightly larger than the Boeing 737. This debate was sparked by former Airbus Americas president Barry Eccleston (who criticized the program). The aircraft is expected to cost up to $25 billion to develop. Reports in 2022 suggested that development would be delayed until new engines were matured, and as of 2024 the status is still unclear.

You may also like...