Boeing Next-Generation 737 Performance Improvement Package Delivers on Promise to Cut Fuel Burn

Press release:

Customers validate improvements on package's first anniversary

RENTON, Wash., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers of Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Next-Generation 737 are validating the benefits of the industry-leading Performance Improvement Package (PIP), one year after the first airplane PIP airplane was delivered. PIP combines aerodynamic and engine performance improvements to reduce fuel burn by up to 2 percent and is part of the continuous innovation on the world's best-selling airplane. More than 420 Next-Generation 737s have now been delivered with PIP.

"The Performance Improvement Package has contributed to a remarkable fuel mileage improvement compared to the non-PIP airplanes," said Takeshi Katsurada, vice president of flight operations engineering for Japan Airlines. "We can validate its improvement through each delivery flight performance monitoring and also daily flight operations monitoring to the extent of more than 2 percent fuel mileage improvement."

Elements of the performance improvement package, provided at no charge to customers, have been gradually introduced on the 737 over the past year. They include aerodynamic-shaped anti-collision lights, streamlined slat and spoiler trailing edges, ski-jump wheel well fairings re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear, and enhancements to the CFM engine. A re-contoured plug and cutback nozzle completed the propulsion portion of the performance improvement package. The final element of the package, a redesigned environmental control system exhaust vent, is scheduled for mid-2013.

"These improvements are important for our airline customers," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The improved fuel savings are part of our commitment to deliver market-leading value to Next-Generation 737 customers. Improving fuel efficiency by 2 percent saves more than $120,000 annually on each airplane and reduces the carbon footprint."

Boeing began performance improvement testing in November 2010 with the goal of reducing fuel consumption by up to 2 percent.

"Our latest tests have shown that aircraft, which incorporate the Performance Improvement Package, provide flydubai with up to 1.6 percent reduced fuel burn over non-PIP aircraft," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai. "With a growing fleet, any savings we can make towards our fuel costs are positive from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to Boeing introducing the final part of the package, which will provide us with even greater fuel savings."

Boeing, American Airlines 737-800 ecoDemonstrator Airplane Prepares for Flight Test Program

Press release:

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed assembly of an American Airlines, Next-Generation 737-800 to be used as a flying test bed for validating environmentally progressive technologies. The airplane, known as the ecoDemonstrator, is being outfitted with advanced technologies and test equipment before it begins a month of intense flight testing in Montana.

The 2012 ecoDemonstrator program is a partnership between Boeing, American Airlines, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

"The goal of the ecoDemonstrator program is to accelerate integration of these technologies for more fuel efficient, quieter, cleaner, more advanced sustainable material solutions for the future," said Jeanne Yu, Boeing Commercial Airplanes director of Environmental Performance.  "Demonstration programs give us a platform for better learning about new technologies in application.  This helps us incorporate these technologies more rapidly."

American Airlines is loaning one of its new Next-Generation 737-800s to Boeing for three months to serve as the test bed for these advanced technologies.  Each technology being fitted on the airplane for testing has the goal of reducing fuel consumption, lowering noise, and testing the viability of sustainable materials. After testing, the airplane will be returned to standard configuration and delivered later this year.

Technologies on the 2012 ecoDemonstrator airplane will include improvements to wing and engine efficiency as well as fuel-saving flight trajectory methods. 

"At American, we are committed to investing in or participating in pilot programs to test new equipment, develop alternative fuels and partner with like-minded companies, such as Boeing, to support promising developments that help reduce our carbon footprint," said David Campbell, vice president of Safety, Security and Environmental for American Airlines.  "The ecoDemonstrator is a critical milestone in helping to advance technologies that can help us fly more sustainably with future airplanes."

The 2012 ecoDemonstrator is part of a multi-year program. In 2013, a wide-bodied airplane will serve as the test bed.  See details of the technologies in the fact sheet athttp://www.boeing.com/farnborough2012/ and click on "Backgrounders."

The FAA is participating in the 2012 and 2013 programs, providing funding for two of the technologies and sharing in the flight test costs.  The funding is provided through their Continuous Lower Energy Emissions and Noise program (CLEEN).