Boeing

Luxair, the national airline of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, recently ordered its third new Boeing [NYSE:BA] Next-Generation 737-700 this year, adding to the two airplanes it ordered in February. All three 737-700s will be equipped with blended winglets.

The 737-700s will replace older 737-400 and 737-500 airplanes Luxair uses on scheduled flights throughout Europe and chartered holiday flights to Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Madeira and North Africa sunshine destinations.

"The flexibility of the 737-700 is one of the strongest selling points for us," said Christian Heinzmann, Luxair president and chief executive officer. "The 737-700 is efficient on our shorter scheduled service routes and our longer leisure routes. The 737-700 is the natural evolution of our fleet."

The 737-700s have 15 percent lower maintenance costs than competing models and also can fly 609 meters (2,000 feet) higher than their competitors, factors that improve fuel efficiency.

"The 737 is the right airplane for European airlines who want to lower their overall operating cost and meet the environmental regulations at European airports," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 737-700 blended winglets, which curve out and up from the wingtips, make the airplane even more environmentally responsible. They boost the airplane's performance, allowing the airplane to fly up to 212 kilometers (115 nautical miles) farther than it otherwise would. On flights longer than 2,778 kilometers (1,500 nautical miles), blended winglets can reduce fuel burn by up to 3.5 percent.

Noise is another important environmental issue. Blended winglets can reduce an airplane's takeoff noise and allow it to climb away from airport areas more quickly.

France's Snecma, in a joint venture with General Electric of the United States called CFMI, supplies the 737-700's CFM56-7 engines. Those engines meet community noise restrictions well below Stage 3 limits and below anticipated Stage 4 limits.

With an all-new wing and updated liquid-crystal displays in the flight deck, the 737-700 is the most advanced-design technology airplane in the single-aisle jetliner market.