Graham Warwick
Airlines are being offered a version of the 737-based Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) that could be used to fly 50-60 all business-class passengers across the Atlantic.
The proposed 737-700ERX is "fundamentally a BBJ," John Roundhill, vice-president product strategy and development said at the show.
The ERX is a 737-700 fuselage mated with the wing from the -800. Extra fuel tanks mounted under the floor extend range to 7,400km (4,000nm), enabling the aircraft to fly "from the US east coast to Europe", says Roundhill.
Option
Airlines are being offered the option of fitting the BBJ's blended winglets, which would extend range by another 4%.
The major targets are airlines wanting to take their premium passengers off larger, mixed-class airliners and put them on dedicated "business express" aircraft.
Roundhill describes the aircraft as the "ultimate fragmenter", referring to Boeing's theory that airlines will use smaller aircraft to serve more destinations rather than buy a very large aircraft.
Airbus Industrie is chasing the same market with a version of its A319-based Corporate Jet.
The 737-700ERX would be "fairly straightforward" to develop, says Roundhill, and could be delivered within two years.
Other potential customers include inclusive tour operators, who could pack up to 138 passengers into the transatlantic aircraft. Another possibility is a mix of about 75 business class and premium economy seats.
Source: Flight Daily News
