797 another step closer for Boeing after Delta talks

Boeing
Boeing

New middle of the market airplane could be in service by 2025

Boeing’s new middle-market aeroplane, likely to be dubbed the 797, is another step closer to reality after talks with Delta Airlines.

The Seattle based airframer has had discussions with Delta with a view to them launching the aircraft. Delta is looking to replace around 100 of the ageing middle-market aircraft it has in the fleet.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Ed Bastian, chief executive of Delta said:  “We’ve had discussions with Boeing about being a potential launch customer”

For obvious reasons though, Atlanta based Delta Airlines cant commit to an order until Boeing officially gives the project the go ahead.

The new middle-market aircraft known as NMA or sometimes MOMA (Middle of the Market Airplane) would be built to replace 757 and 767 models in the 200-260 seat market and sit between the 737 Max 10 and the 787-8 in Boeings product line up.

In November last year, Boeing appointed former 777X chief project engineer Terry Beezhold has reportedly been moved to lead the project and also released a graphic at the Paris airshow which showed where the aircraft would fit in its portfolio.

Boeing 797 Paris Airshow

 

Sources close to the airframer have said that the new MOMA aircraft will have a range of around 5,000nm achieve trip savings of up to 40% compared to existing 757 and 767 aircraft.

Boeing is expected to get the aircraft into service in 2025.

About Nick Harding 2019 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.