It is about time, but one thing I don't get is why it will take them until 2006 to get the thing developed and deliver it. All they have to do is to add sections to the body of the aircraft. I am sure those BMWs can produce more power than they do now.. If you look at the -300 version of 757 and -900 of 737 I don't think it took them 3 years to develop those versions. Am I wrong ? BAHA Fan of B717-300 but why X? -----Original Message----- From: The Airline List [mailto:AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Matthew Montano Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 9:27 AM To: AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Boeing 717-300X Didn't see this on the list yet. Nothing about range though. ---- Boeing plans 130-passenger stretch version of 717 regional jet airliner 12:21 PM EDT Sep 19 EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - The Boeing Co. has developed plans for a=20 130-passenger stretch version of its 717, which competes with regional=20= jet airliners made by Bombardier, Embraer and Airbus. Boeing officials said Thursday the proposed 717-300X, to be assembled=20 in Long Beach, Calif., would be 4=BC metres longer than the 717-200 and=20= carry about 20 more passengers. Boeing has offered the design to members of the 17 airlines in the=20 worldwide Star Alliance, spokesman Warren Lamb said. Air Canada, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Scandinavian Airline=20 System, all members of the alliance, are pursuing a joint purchase of=20 up to 200 jets in the 75- to 125-passenger range. Potential manufacturers include Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier=20= (TSX:BBD.B). If Boeing gets enough orders, deliveries of the 717-300X would begin in=20= late 2006. Boeing has been discussing a stretch 717 for some months. AirTran of=20 Orlando, Fla., the top buyer of 717s to date, opted instead for the=20 737-700, which has the range to fly cross-continent, Lamb said. The 717 has a shorter range and is designed for quick turnarounds on=20 high-frequency routes. Meanwhile, Boeing is looking to Japan as a major market for its=20 proposed 7E7 jet. "We think we have a real winner in this product," marketing director=20 Randy Tinseth said Friday in Tokyo. Boeing plans to sell 2,000 to 3,000 of the mid-sized 7E7 Dreamliner=20 jets in the next 20 years, Tinseth said. The 7E7, carrying 200 to 250 passengers, will be lighter and more=20 fuel-efficient than current comparable models. It will have wider=20 aisles, more cabin humidity and will feel as if passengers are flying=20 at a lower altitude than in other airplanes, according to Boeing. Suppliers will be announced later this year for the new jet, expected=20 to make its first flight in 2007 and be delivered the following year. Boeing foresees airplane demand remaining strong over the next 20=20 years, adding more than 24,000 planes, 18,000 in growth and 6,000 in=20 replacement planes.