Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets today announced five new commitments for orders, sustaining the momentum for a program that's now sold out through 2005.

In addition, Boeing Business Jets has placed six airplanes from the existing fleet with new customers, increasing its year-to-date placement and sales activity to 11.

"The interest in the BBJ during what has been a very challenging business environment underscores the value customers place on the airplane's comfort and flexibility, and its reliability, payload, range, and customer support," BBJ President Steven Hill said during a media briefing at the National Business Aviation Association's 57th annual Exhibition & Convention in Las Vegas.

Since the program's 1996 inception, 91 of the high-performance Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 derivatives have been sold. These latest order commitments came from customers in India, Asia, Africa, Russia and the Middle East.

Boeing Business Jets continues developing new technologies that enhance the comfort and productivity of owners and operators. The program soon expects U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval to reduce cabin pressurization to a more comfortable altitude equivalent level of 6,500 feet.

"With our lower cabin altitude modification, we will enhance an already great flying experience. Passengers arrive at their destination more relaxed, more refreshed and ready to go," Hill said.

Providing unsurpassed levels of space, comfort and utility, the BBJ cabin offers 807 square feet (75 square meters) of space, nearly three times the interior space of competing models with similar range capability. The BBJ 2 offers 25 percent more cabin space and twice as much cargo capacity.

There are currently 78 BBJs in service around the world. The fleet has generated more than 121,000 flight hours to date and 49,000 flights, with an industry-leading 99.9 percent dispatch reliability.

More information about the BBJ