Boeing's new line ... fuel efficient 737s

Lots of headlines these days about the big battle between Boeing and Airbus for commercial airline supremacy. They all center on fuel efficiency. The issue is, what does it mean to you – the folks upon whose favor the airlines’ fortunes rest?

Here’s the essence of it: to keep fares reasonable, airlines are demanding increasingly fuel-efficient aircraft. That’s why Airbus is touting its A320neo, the re-engined version of the widely-used A320 narrowbody workhorse.

Now comes word Boeing will be battling the neo with its own re-engined iteration of the venerable 737. Boeing contends its airplane will be more fuel-efficient than the competition’s, with a16 percent lower fuel burn than the current crop of twin-engine narrowbodies (i.e., the A320 proper), and four percent better burn than the competition’s “future offering.” That would be the A320neo.

The new “seven-three” will be powered by CFM International’s LEAP-1B powerplant.

Those CFM LEAP-1Bs should constitute a real leap forward according to Boeing. Take a fleet of the new 737s and compare them to a fleet of 100 of today’s must fuel-efficient aircraft and the savings are significant – both in terms of fuel consumed and CO2 emitted. Boeing says a 100-airplane fleet of new 737s will emit 277,000 fewer tons of carbon dioxide per year and save nearly 175 million pounds of fuel each annum. That equates to $85 million in cost savings. Multiply that kind of fuel savings over the common 20 year-plus lifespan of a typical airplane and you’re talking real money. Again, the math helps airlines keep fares within reach – not to mention being kinder to the environment.

Look for these new Boeings to start flying the line in 2017. The company says, so far, five airlines have committed to take delivery of 496 LEAP-1B-powered 737s.

The 737 has been around in one version or another since the middle 1960s. Over the years Boeing has won orders for over 9,000 of the ubiquitous flying machines.

Story by Jerry Chandler

(Image: swanksalot)