New Boeing 7E7 concept art

[dmspilot00]

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/photos.html

What do you think?

I think it's ugly. Looks like a faulty 1970s idea of something futuristic.

 

[Swass]

I think it looks pretty cool, the way the windows are cut out is cool. It won't look like the concept if it ever get's put into production, just like concept cars you see at auto shows. I hope it does get the nod, we need to have some of the aircraft workers put back to work here.

 

[Flying Illini]

I think it's slick...but is it powered by a fuel cell?

 

[wickedpilot]

no discrimination

I'd fly it

 

[Cardinal]

Fugly, but not as fugly as that mercifully defunct Sonic Cruiser. If they want aggressive windows, Fairchild Dornier did a nice job on the equally defunct 728.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/225572/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/225575/M/

 

[dmspilot00]

Fugly, but not as fugly as that mercifully defunct Sonic Cruiser. If they want aggressive windows, Fairchild Dornier did a nice job on the equally defunct 728.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/225572/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/225575/M/

Yes, finally someone who agrees with me!!! I was getting nervous with all these responses from people who liked it.

I do agree that 728 looks pretty nice. The front looks kind of like a 757, which is probably the most modern-looking airliners out there (too bad how it looks like a stick from the side). I've seen those 728 pictures before and wished it wasn't defunct.

 

[Swass]

Those are some pretty sweet looking windows, I can dig it.

 

[Skyboss]

This is the kick in the pants aviation needs. Ignore the goofy windows, that's not happening. WHat will be nice... Same layout as a 767, but with 18.5" (Delta Business Elite Type) seats with 34" pitch.

 

[jarhead]

I wonder if Delta got their idea for the livery on the Song brand, from the artists conceptions at Boeing (tic)

 

[Typhoon1244]

I suppose it is ugly...but that's how evolution happens, isn't it. People thought the P-38 was ugly, too. And the Comet. And the Apollo L.M.

(I can do without the Epcot "Futureworld" interior, though...)

 

[Skyboss]

Makes you wonder if they saw something when they evaluated the 728Jet program. There was never any serious data released on the plane. I have a feeling that's what it will look like, at least on the nose.

 

[dmspilot00]

Since someone decided to dig up this post from 3 months ago, here is some more info:

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/9_25a/briefs/185177-1.html
What does Boeing have in common with Lancair, Cirrus, Liberty and host of other light plane and homebuilt manufacturers? A belief that composites help make better airplanes. The Chicago-headquartered aerospace icon announced June 12 that its 7E7 airliner -- if it's ever built -- will be made almost entirely of resin imbedded with graphite and graphite/titanium combined. A company news release said the decision was made after months of study and presentations from aluminum companies and composite manufacturers. "Composites offer us a variety of advantages, including better durability, reduced maintenance requirements and increased potential for future developments," said Mike Bair, VP in charge of the 7E7 project. The company also took dead aim at detractors' concerns about composite components -- maintenance and longevity. Since the first airplane parts were laid up using composites, detractors have pointed out there is no way of knowing what kind of structural changes (i.e. delamination and cracking) are taking place within a "closed" part. Boeing said it's addressing that issue with "structural health monitoring" on the 7E7. The company plans to embed sensors in the 7E7 that will "detect impacts and monitor structural integrity." Boeing says the system should help airlines plan and manage maintenance and also give them a constant picture of how the various structures are holding up. The company continues to shop the country, looking for states and communities that will offer the right incentives in exchange for a multibillion-dollar factory employing up to 1,200 highly paid people. According to an Associated Press story, Washington State, where almost all of Boeing's airliner construction now takes place, is the odds-on favorite with its trained workforce and about $3.2 billion in tax breaks on the table. There are no guarantees the airplane will ever be built, however. Boeing's board will make that decision by the end of the year, based on preliminary marketing efforts that are already under way.

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/9_30b/complete/185374-1.html
An engineer who has worked on most of Boeing's commercial aircraft programs will now head the new 7E7 Deamliner team. Boeing announced that Walt Gillette, who has worked at Boeing for 37 years, will spearhead the team to bring the company's 11th commercial-jet project to life. Boeing's board of directors will decide whether to go ahead with the program by early 2004, and if so, debut the aircraft in 2008, when we'll all see if the costs incurred in development of the jet can be offset by its sales. While the 7E7 enjoys Boeing's full optimism, the same can't be said for the older 757. The aerospace giant is debating whether to continue manufacturing the aging airliner, which was first introduced in 1982. Boeing has built 1,000 757s since its launch via Eastern Airlines but now has only 18 orders on the books. Of those, 11 are being delayed by Continental Airlines, after it disclosed a need to "renegotiate the terms of delivery" of those jets scheduled for delivery in 2005 and 2006. The airline claims the current state of the industry does not allow for the addition of jets within the next few years. However, Continental cannot pull out of a previous commitment, which calls for delivery of five 757s in June 2004. "The '57 is clearly getting to the end of its life," Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Alan Mulally admitted at the company's annual briefing for investment analysts in Los Angeles in May.

It would be sad to see the 757 go. Also, since this thread is about "looks" I have to say that to me the 757 looks much more modern and futuristic than the concept art for the 7E7, which to me looks more "retro."

 

[stillaboo]

Anyone know the economics of why the 57 is going to pasture? Efficiency, MX costs, market saturation, performance, what?

I always thought the 57 was a good fit for the hub-mid-sized metro routes. What's it being replaced with, 73's (like everything else)?

-Boo!

 

[Skyboss]

The orders have dried up, and the 717 has outsold the 757-300. Other than that, it's a fine plane. The 737-800/900 has also encroached on the 757-200 capacity. 757-300 is in line with teh 767 and the new bird. Why have two types when you could have one. Could be the carriers are real interested in the new bird and are just holding off.

I think we're looking at fewer Boeing planes:

737NG
7E7
777
747

Perhaps in 20 years:

7E7-100 (737 replacement) - 2015 - 100-150 Seats
7E7-200 (757 replacement) - 2012 - 150-200 Seats
7E7-300 (767 replacement) - 2008 - 200-250 Seats
7E7-400 (777 replacement) - 2018 - 250-300 Seats
7E7-500 (747 Replacement) - 2023 - 300-350 Seats

In those years, a majority of the aircraft begin to reach the end of their useful life.