BOEING AND DELTA AIR LINES CELEBRATE BOEING 767-400ER

Boeing and Delta Air Lines today will celebrate the delivery of the airline's first Boeing 767-400ER (extended range) airplanes - the first new airplane certified in the 21st century. Delta was the launch customer for the airplane, and has ordered 21 of the 767-400ERs, with options on an additional 40 airplanes.

The newest member of the 767 family is a 21-foot (6.43 m) stretch of one of the world's most popular jetliners, the 767-300ER. The Boeing 767-400ER boasts a new-look interior that received wide customer and passenger acclaim during the recent world tour of the 767-400ER. For passengers, the new interior provides a much more spacious feeling and deeper stowage bins, which can accommodate more bags.

"Years of survey data show that passengers in every class of service, and in every market prefer the Boeing 767 family over competing models," said John Quinlivan, Boeing vice president and general manager, 767 Program. "This new design gives passengers even more reason to prefer this jetliner."

The airplane also features a new "all-glass" flight deck. The flight deck and interior features are consistent with the family approach used across the Boeing commercial airplane fleet.

Sized between the Boeing 767-300ER and the Boeing 777-200, the Boeing 767-400ER also features aerodynamic improvements, including innovative new raked wing tips, increased takeoff-weight capability, improved electrical and air-conditioning systems, and an all-new main landing gear.

"The 767-400ER is a perfect fit with Delta's fleet," said Mac Armstrong, Delta's executive vice president of operations. "The airplane has the capacity and range necessary for our heavily traveled key domestic long-haul markets. While offering many enhanced flight capabilities, the airplane also shares many common features with other Boeing airplanes in Delta's fleet." Armstrong said these commonalities reduce Delta's costs of training, operations and maintenance.

"We're pleased that Delta is expanding its 767 fleet with the newest member of the 767 family," said Seddik Belyamani, executive vice president - Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group. "We are continuing to improve and expand the 767 family to maintain market leadership."

Delta plans to use its Boeing 767-400ERs within the continental United States beginning Oct. 1 between Atlanta and several Florida locations. It will introduce the airplane in service to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Maui and Salt Lake City by the end of the year. The 767-400ERs will replace Delta's L-1011s on high-volume domestic flights. The twin-engined 767-400ER has much lower operating costs than the similarly sized three-engine L-1011. Two 767-400ERs will be delivered to Delta during August, and three additional 767-400ERs will be delivered in September. Delta will receive 12 Boeing 767-400ER jetliners by year's end.

Delta's 767-400ER configuration seats 287 passengers in two classes: 36 in first and 251 in economy.

The Boeing 767-400ER has the same pilot type rating as the 767-200, 767-300, and a common rating with the 757-200 and 757-300 airplanes. Pilots qualified to fly these airplanes are now qualified - with minimal instruction - to fly the Boeing 767-400ER. Airlines that operate both jetliners have greater flexibility in assigning flight crews and adapting to changing markets. Delta operates a fleet of more than 100 767s and 113 757s.