Just thinking off the top of my head: It will take time to fully flight test the new model - probably at least a 1000 hours, probably more. It will take time to do the FAA/JAA paperwork. And 2006 is not that far off - just a tad over 2 years. David R Wishing they had kept the old name (MD95) or renamed it the 787 but not the 717! > 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.