EVERETT, Wash., May 15, 1998 -- In a delivery ceremony today, Boeing celebrated the 2,000th widebody airplane to be built at the company's assembly plant in Everett, Wash. Boeing builds all three 7-series widebodies - the 747, 767 and 777 - at the Everett factory. The milestone jet - a 747-400 - was delivered to British Airways.
In 1966, Boeing broke ground in Everett to build the factory for 747 manufacturing. During the next three decades, the factory more than doubled in size - from 42.8 acres (17.1 hectares) to 98.3 acres (39.8 hectares) - to accommodate all three models. Nearly 120 customers worldwide have ordered more than 2,500 of the 7-series widebody jets, of which Boeing now has delivered nearly 2,000. Widebodies are jetliners with twin aisles in the passenger cabin. They typically are longer range and have higher passenger and cargo capacities than standard-body, single-aisle jetliners.
"We have many reasons - 2,000, in fact - to feel very proud today," said Ed Renouard, vice president and general manager - 747/767 Programs. "In the course of building these magnificent widebody airplanes, we've changed the face of travel by providing safe, high-quality airplanes that can carry more people farther, in less time, more comfortably and with greater profit potential for the airlines."
Over the years, the 7-series widebodies have accumulated more than 72 million flight hours and flown about 18 million flights. Their schedule-reliability rates - an industry measure of departure from the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled time - are between 97 percent and 99 percent.
"Just as Bill Boeing had a vision when he built the first Boeing airplane 82 years ago, our Everett widebody family continues that vision," said Ron Ostrowski, vice president and general manager - 777 Program. "We reached the 2,000th-widebody mark because we offer our customers a variety of airplanes that not only meet their varying market needs, but also are extremely safe and reliable."
Boeing 747 - The 7-series widebody that started it all
The 747 is the world's first commercial widebody, and it is the largest and most recognized commercial jetliner in the world. The first model, the 747-100, rolled out of the factory Sept. 30, 1968, and was followed by the -200, -300 and today's advanced-technology -400. Throughout the 747's lifetime, Boeing has offered passenger, freighter and combination freighter-passenger configurations of each model. Boeing has received 1,304 orders for the 747, and delivered 1,152.
Over the years, Boeing significantly improved the airplane's range, payload and operating cost. With its huge capacity, extended range and improved fuel efficiency, the 747-400 offers the lowest operating costs per seat-mile of any commercial jetliner in history.
747-100 747-400
Passenger Capacity 366 (three class) 416 (three class)
Range 5,290 statute miles 8,290 statute miles
(8,510 kilometers) (13,340 kilometers)
Max. Takeoff Weight 735,000 pounds 875,000 pounds
(333,400 kilograms) (396,890 kilograms)
Overall Length 231 feet 10.25 inches Same
(70.66 meters)
Wing Span 195 feet 8 inches 211 feet 5 inches
(59.6 meters) (64.44 meters)
Boeing 767 - The 7-series widebody with the most trans-Atlantic crossings
The first 767 rolled out of the factory Aug. 4, 1981. The 767 is offered in six models: 767-200, -200ER (extended range), -300, -300ER, -300 Freighter and -400ER. The newest model, the -400ER, begins major assembly in 1999. Boeing has received 827 orders for the 767, and delivered 697.
The 767 was the first Boeing jetliner to receive U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval for extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS), allowing the airplane to traverse nearly every continent and ocean in the world. The 767 has flown more than one million ETOPS flights, and today it crosses the Atlantic from the United States to Europe more often than any other airplane. Like the 747, the 767 has evolved to meet the growing needs of the airlines.
767-200 767-400ER
Passenger Capacity 181 (three class) 245 (three class)
Range 5,260 statute miles 6,480 statute miles
(8,465 kilometers) (10,426 kilometers)
Max. Takeoff Weight 335,000 pounds 450,000 pounds
(151,956 kilograms) (204,120 kilograms)
Overall Length 159 feet 2 inches 201 feet 4 inches
(48.5 meters) (61.4 meters)
Wing Span 156 feet 1 inch 170 feet 4 inches
(47.6 meters) (52 meters)
Boeing 777 - The 7-series widebody legend lives on
The newest of the 7-series widebodies, the first 777 rolled out of the factory on April 9, 1994. The 777 is available in three passenger models: 777-200, -200ER and -300. Boeing has received 392 orders for the 777, and delivered 130.
The 777 is the first jetliner to be 100-percent digitally designed using three-dimensional solid-modeling technology. Throughout the design process, the airplane was electronically pre-assembled on the computer, eliminating the need for a costly, full-scale mock-up. The U.S. National Aeronautical Association awarded the 777 the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy as the top aeronautical achievement of 1995. Boeing was recognized specifically for "designing, manufacturing and placing into service the world's most technologically advanced airline transport."
777-200 777-300
Passenger Capacity 320 (three class) 386 (three class)
Range 5,800 statute miles 6,550 statute miles
(9,330 kilometers) (10,530 kilometers)
Max. Takeoff Weight 545,000 pounds 660,000 pounds
(247,210 kilograms) (299,370 kilograms)
Overall Length 209 feet 1 inches 242 feet 4 inches
(63.7 meters) (73.9 meters)
Wing Span 199 feet 11 inches Same
(60.9 meters)
Through its recent merger with McDonnell Douglas, the company's widebody airplane family has grown to include the MD-11 and DC-10 airplanes. The MD-11 is built at the Douglas Products Division in Long Beach, Calif. To date, nearly 180 MD-11s have been delivered. Prior to building the MD-11, the Long Beach facility delivered 446 DC-10s, including 60 KC-10s used as military tankers.