Boeing

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a GE Capital Company and global aviation solutions provider, accepted its 50th new Boeing Next-Generation 737 jetliner, a 737-700 leased to Aloha Airlines. The new airplane is the second 737-700 accepted by GECAS and leased by Aloha Airlines in the past week.

With the new delivery, Aloha Airlines will operate four 737-700s, in addition to 18 other 737s. The GECAS fleet includes nearly the full Boeing family of airplanes.

"We congratulate GE Capital, an important Boeing and 737 customer, on this milestone delivery," said Nicole Piasecki, vice president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Leasing.

GECAS Next-Generation737 orders total 145, which have been placed with 20 different customers around the world.

"They are a valuable partner to Boeing as well as to our airline customers," Piasecki said. "Both Boeing and GECAS are proud that Aloha has selected the reliable 737-700 to perform this pioneering service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland."

In February 2000, Aloha Airlines capitalized on the 3,260 nautical mile (6,038 kilometer) range of the Next-Generation 737-700, inaugurating service from Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii, to Oakland, Calif., with its first two 737-700s. Aloha configures its airplanes with 12 first- and 112 coach-class seats. The first-class cabin is equipped with wider seats with lumbar back support controls and footrests.

"We have been very successful in placing the Next-Generation 737 with operators," said Henry Hubschman, president of GECAS. "The 737 is a very popular airplane that provides low operating costs and a spacious, flexible interior to allow us to meet the changing requirements of our customers."

Glenn Zander, Aloha president and chief executive officer, said 737-700s have proven very successful on his company's routes connecting Hawaii with Oakland and Las Vegas.

"These advanced airplanes give Aloha Airlines the opportunity to explore additional growth prospects on the U.S. mainland in response to the need for more air service from the continental United States to the islands," Zander said.

Boeing has firm orders for more than 1,700 Next-Generation 737s, making it the fastest-selling new jetliner of all time. To date, the company has delivered more than 700 of the new 737s. The Next-Generation 737 models offer flight-deck commonality with earlier 737 models and allow flight crews to maintain the same type ratings.