Bigger Passenger Carriers

In the late 1960s, Boeing produced new jet airliners for short – or medium-range flights—the 727 (1964) and the 737 (1968). These were smaller aircraft that were economical for airlines and able to operate from smaller airports.

After failing to win a government contract for a very large military trans­port, Boeing switched to building a giant passenger carrier. This new plane, the 747, had a distinctive “bubble” front, providing an upper deck for first-class passengers. It could seat about 400 passengers in its spacious main cabin, which was 185 feet (56 meters) long and 20 feet (6 meters) wide.

The 747 made long-haul flying much cheaper. Two 747 flights could replace up to ten flights by smaller airliners. Airport passenger handling facilities were strained at first, however, when

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BOEING AIRLINERS

Boeing’s family of commercial aircraft is designed for different routes. The vari­ous aircraft have ranges of between

2,0 miles (3,220 kilometers) and 9,000 miles (14,480 kilometers). A 777 can fly nonstop from New York to Jakarta in Indonesia. The seat capacities of recent Boeing models are:

• 737 up to 180 seats.

• 747 up to 416 seats.

• 767 up to 245 seats.

• 777 up to 368 seats.

• 787 up to 330 seats.

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two or three 747s landed at about the same time, unloading more than 1,000 passengers within minutes.

Boeing continues to build new airlin­ers. The 757, 767, and 777 were followed by the 787, the latest addition to the line. Each aircraft is designed to fit into a niche in the world air transportation market. Boeing also continues its research into new areas of aerospace through experimental aircraft, such as the X-43 hypersonic airplane.

SEE ALSO:

• Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

• Aircraft, Commercial • Aircraft, Experimental • Aircraft Design

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