Boeing Launches Longest-Range 737 January 31, 2006 Boeing on Tuesday said it had launched the longest-range ever version of its best-selling 737 passenger jet, thanks to an order from Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA). ANA ordered the 737-700ER by converting two existing orders for standard 737-700s, Boeing said. The new plane will be capable of flying up to 5,510 nautical miles with optional fuel tanks and blended winglets. That range would allow a nonstop flight from Tokyo to Brussels or from Brussels to San Francisco, said a Boeing spokeswoman. The jet, which would carry 126 people in a two-class configuration, is based on Boeing's existing Boeing Business Jet, which is already being used by Lufthansa on some routes between the United States and Germany. The latest 737 derivative, the first of which will be delivered in early 2007, has a list price of between USD$57 million and USD$62 million. Boeing has kept sales strong for the 737, which began commercial service in 1968, by introducing various new versions of the plane, which is a mainstay of the fleets of low cost carriers like Southwest Airlines and Ryanair. Boeing said more than 1,130 737s were on order with a backlog worth about USD$69 billion at current list prices. Boeing and European rival Airbus typically sell jets at a substantial discount to the list price. (Reuters) Roger & Amanda La France