Randy's Journal: Archives

10 June 2005

Bonjour de Paris

Well, I'm on the ground in Paris. And the whirlwind is under way. I've already met with dozens of reporters both here and in London, and we're just getting warmed up. Le Cirque du Bourget has begun!

Boeing's big blue airplane arrived this morning to kick off our presence at the Air Show. The 777-200LR Worldliner touched down at 8:53 a.m. Paris time. She flew in from Montreal overnight, after a huge event with Air Canada on Thursday. About 3,000 Air Canada employees and their families came out to tour the airplane. In April, you may remember, Air Canada ordered a couple dozen 787s and 777s, including some 777-200LR Worldliners.

The Paris visit is all part of a "Going the Distance" world tour for the Worldliner. The first leg, in fact, was the Seattle to Montreal trip. Paris is stop number two.

Later this year, the Worldliner will attempt to set a new world record for a commercial airplane for traveling nonstop. The current record is 10,823 nautical miles (20,044 km), set in 1997 by the 777-200ER (Extended Range).

Here at Le Bourget today the 777-200LR was the first major commercial airplane to be positioned in its static display. It will be joined by the 767 tanker and the Boeing Dreamspace, a kind of walk-through multi-media experience.

Right now we're waiting for the arrival of the Airbus A380. I'm hearing it will be here Sunday. It will be interesting to see it up close and in person. I'm sure the pictures we've all seen don't do justice to its size.

In the meantime, there's plenty of buzz around the Worldliner. Groups of media photographers and other curious onlookers have been taking in the sight. A lot of them snapping pictures with camera phones. Maybe you opened up a phone message today with a photo of the world's longest range commercial airplane painted in the bright blue Boeing livery!

What was really interesting was that people literally surrounded the airplane as it was tugged into position this morning. They sure got a rare close-up view. Some of them were French visitors to the show from all walks of life, remarking, "beautiful airplane" and "magnificent."

Que le spectacle commence!