AirTran Airways Orders up to 110 Boeing 737s and 717s

Gordon Werner · 07-01-2003, 11:28 AM

Press Release
Source: Boeing Commercial Airplanes

AirTran Airways Orders up to 110 Boeing 737s and 717s

Tuesday July 1, 10:48 am ET

SEATTLE, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA - News) today confirmed that AirTran Airways has finalized an agreement for up to 110 Boeing 737 and 717 airplanes.

The Orlando, Fla.-based airline will add the 737 to its fleet with an order for 28 airplanes and options for 50 more. It's also leasing additional 737s. In addition, the airline, which already operates the 717, will augment its fleet with up to 10 717s.

"Building on our long-standing partnership with Boeing, this order ensures that AirTran Airways is poised to move into the next stage as one of the country's major carriers," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer.

Although AirTran Airways will initially receive the 737-700, it could substitute other 737 models in the future.

"The Boeing 737 is a phenomenal airplane. We're confident that these new aircraft will produce consistent operating results, building on the efficiency and reliability of our 717 fleet, thus reducing our costs and allowing us to pass the savings on to our customers," Leonard added.

Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said he is pleased that AirTran Airways has chosen to build on the tremendous success of its 717 service by adding the larger, longer-range 737.

"We've had a great relationship with AirTran Airways since it launched the 717, and we look forward to supporting its expansion into medium- and longer-haul markets with the 737," Mulally said. "The reliability, performance and operating economics of these two airplanes are a perfect fit as the airline moves into the future."

The digitally designed 737-600s/-700s/-800s/-900s are the newest and most technologically advanced airplanes in the single-aisle market. Outfitted with a new wing and more powerful engines, they can fly higher, faster and farther than their competitor. In addition, their flight decks feature the latest liquid-crystal flat-panel displays and accommodate new communications and flight-management capabilities that promise to reduce flight delays and enhance flight-crew efficiency.

The Boeing 737 aircraft will be powered by CFM56-7B engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company. The environmentally friendly CFM56 engines meet all current (Stage 3) and planned (Stage 4) noise restrictions with significant margin and provide exceptionally low emissions levels. The engines are also among the most reliable flying today with 99.97 percent departure reliability.

Since its inception, 215 airlines have purchased more than 5,200 737s, making it the best-selling commercial airplane in history.

To learn more about the 737, visit http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/.

To learn more about the 717, visit http://www.boeing.com/commercial/717/.

Source: Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Gordon Werner · 07-01-2003, 12:01 PM

Hernan Matos · 07-01-2003, 12:26 PM

B 737-The BEST selling commercial airplane in HISTORY!

Stanman · 07-01-2003, 02:16 PM

The livery certainly looks nice on a 737 with winglets. Are the winglets going to be a confirmed option on both models? On a sad note, I think this is a confirmation that the 717 program will soon go the way of the dodo.

Lil Kim · 07-01-2003, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stanman
On a sad note, I think this is a confirmation that the 717 program will soon go the way of the dodo.

My thinking too when I read they're only ordering 10 out of their 110 plane order. Anyone know how many 717s are currently flying and with which airlines?

And for that matter, what are its advantages over the 737NG (can use shorter runways?, more take-off/landing cycles per day?, 777 type cockpit/interior or other commonality?)?

F27 Bonanza · 07-02-2003, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon Werner

Has anyone noticed the winglets are now gone from the picture? I guess Air Tran is passing on that option.

Greg

07-01-2003, 11:28 AM	#1
Gordon Werner Insane Collector Join Date: Jun 1998 Location: Somewhere else Age: 38 Posts: 2,059	AirTran Airways Orders up to 110 Boeing 737s and 717s Press Release Source: Boeing Commercial Airplanes AirTran Airways Orders up to 110 Boeing 737s and 717s Tuesday July 1, 10:48 am ET SEATTLE, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA - News) today confirmed that AirTran Airways has finalized an agreement for up to 110 Boeing 737 and 717 airplanes. The Orlando, Fla.-based airline will add the 737 to its fleet with an order for 28 airplanes and options for 50 more. It's also leasing additional 737s. In addition, the airline, which already operates the 717, will augment its fleet with up to 10 717s. "Building on our long-standing partnership with Boeing, this order ensures that AirTran Airways is poised to move into the next stage as one of the country's major carriers," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. Although AirTran Airways will initially receive the 737-700, it could substitute other 737 models in the future. "The Boeing 737 is a phenomenal airplane. We're confident that these new aircraft will produce consistent operating results, building on the efficiency and reliability of our 717 fleet, thus reducing our costs and allowing us to pass the savings on to our customers," Leonard added. Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said he is pleased that AirTran Airways has chosen to build on the tremendous success of its 717 service by adding the larger, longer-range 737. "We've had a great relationship with AirTran Airways since it launched the 717, and we look forward to supporting its expansion into medium- and longer-haul markets with the 737," Mulally said. "The reliability, performance and operating economics of these two airplanes are a perfect fit as the airline moves into the future." The digitally designed 737-600s/-700s/-800s/-900s are the newest and most technologically advanced airplanes in the single-aisle market. Outfitted with a new wing and more powerful engines, they can fly higher, faster and farther than their competitor. In addition, their flight decks feature the latest liquid-crystal flat-panel displays and accommodate new communications and flight-management capabilities that promise to reduce flight delays and enhance flight-crew efficiency. The Boeing 737 aircraft will be powered by CFM56-7B engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company. The environmentally friendly CFM56 engines meet all current (Stage 3) and planned (Stage 4) noise restrictions with significant margin and provide exceptionally low emissions levels. The engines are also among the most reliable flying today with 99.97 percent departure reliability. Since its inception, 215 airlines have purchased more than 5,200 737s, making it the best-selling commercial airplane in history. To learn more about the 737, visit http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/. To learn more about the 717, visit http://www.boeing.com/commercial/717/. Source: Boeing Commercial Airplanes

07-01-2003, 12:26 PM	#3
Hernan Matos Master Collector Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando,Fl.32807 Age: 42 Posts: 530	B 737-The BEST selling commercial airplane in HISTORY! __________________ 'Whatever it takes' Southwest airlines

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07-01-2003, 12:01 PM	#2
Gordon Werner Insane Collector Join Date: Jun 1998 Location: Somewhere else Age: 38 Posts: 2,059

07-01-2003, 02:16 PM	#4
Stanman Senior Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Waxahachie, Texas, USA Posts: 426	The livery certainly looks nice on a 737 with winglets. Are the winglets going to be a confirmed option on both models? On a sad note, I think this is a confirmation that the 717 program will soon go the way of the dodo.