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Third quarter wrap: Boeing

Direct News Source

Oct-2013 The third quarter of this year brought us plenty of opportunities and challenges. And as our earnings report showed, we came out even stronger on the other end.

We booked 200 net orders in the quarter that increased our backlog to nearly 4,800 airplanes worth a record $345 billion. We also delivered 170 commercial airplanes in the third quarter, including 23 787s.

The big news of the day came with our announced production rate increases for the 787 program - beyond the 10 per month we're on track to achieve later this year. We'll be increasing the rate to 12 per month in 2016, and then to 14 per month before the end of the decade.

We're also quickly closing in on our 100th 787 delivery. The fleet is flying an average of 200 flights per day and has racked up nearly 43,000 revenue flights since entering service.

As we turn our attention toward the end of the year, we have more work to do. We remain committed to improving 787 dispatch reliability and have already implemented a series of component, software and spare parts placement improvements. But we won't stop until we meet our customers' and our own expectations.

We're also focused on reaching our delivery target of 635 to 645 airplanes-with greater than 60 of those being 787s. As we look forward, I invite you to take a look back at our third quarter highlights in this video -and below in pictures.

737

737 MAX 8 reaches firm configuration, completing major trade studies that define the airplane's capabilities.

Making room for the MAX in our Renton factory.

• As part of a complex series of moves to support rate increases and future MAX production, the production line for 737 wings systems and installation is relocated and reconfigured.

WestJet completes an order for 65 737 MAXs, bringing total MAX orders for the first three quarters of 2013 to more than 500.

TUI Travel PLC orders 60 737 MAXs, fulfilling a commitment announced in May.

Delta receives its first 737-900ER, one of 100 airplanes ordered in 2011 to renew its single-aisle fleet.

The first 737-900ER for Delta.

Alaska Airlines orders five 737-900ERs.

• Travel Service finalizes an order for three 737 MAX 8s.

Virgin Australia receives its 100th Next-Generation 737, a 737-800.

747-8

Silk Way Airlines orders two 747-8 Freighters as part of its effort to expand its regional and international operations.

• Certification flight testing continues on a package of 747-8 performance improvements designed to improve fuel efficiency by 1.8 percent.

This 747-8 Intercontinental takes to the skies to test a performance improvement package.

Cathay Pacific takes delivery of its 100th directly purchased Boeing airplane - a 747-8 Freighter.

767

FedEx Express takes delivery of its first 767 Freighter as part of its fleet modernization.

The first 767 Freighter for FedEx.

• The 59th and final 767 Freighter is delivered to launch customer UPS, the airplane's largest operator.

• KC-46A Tanker passes critical design review as Boeing and the U.S. Air Force validate the aircraft's final design elements. Assembly progresses on the first tanker as the second tanker enters assembly.

The first tanker begins to take shape inside our 767 factory.

Boeing partners with Uzbekistan Airways, AmeriCares and the Soglom Avlod Uchun Foundation to deliver medical supplies to Tashkent onboard the airline's newly delivered 767-300ER.

777

Lufthansa announces its intention to order the 777-9X; launch of the 777X family is expected by the end of the year.

The 777-9X in Lufthansa livery.

Turkish Airlines finalizes an order for five 777-300ERs.

All Nippon Airways orders three 777-300ERs.

• The Boeing Classic golf tournament opens with a flyover by a 777-300ER in Emirates livery.

An Emirates 777 performs a flyover during the Boeing Classic golf tournament at Snoqualmie, Washington.

787

• The first 787-9 completes a successful first flight, beginning a comprehensive flight-test program leading to certification and delivery in mid-2014.

Boeing employees cheer the 787-9 first flight.

Gorgeous air to air shot of Mt. Rainier.

• Second 787-9 joins the test program with the third 787-9 beginning final assembly.

Air Lease Corporation finalizes an order for 30 787-10 and three 787-9 Dreamliners.

China-based Xiamen Airlines finalizes an order for six 787-8s to enable future long-haul routes from Fujian to Europe, North America and Australia.

GE Capital Aviation Services finalizes an order for 10 787-10 Dreamliners.

Aeromexico begins operation of its first 787 Dreamliner after the airplane is delivered to International Lease Finance Corporation.
Aeromexico's 787 in flight.

Hainan Airlines takes delivery of the first of 10 787s.

Commercial Aviation Services

Boeing launches iPad maintenance apps that provide airline technicians with immediate access to manuals, part numbers and other data, enabling airlines to enhance real-time regulatory compliance, reduce flight delays and reduce operating costs.

Boeing launches 787 training in Miami, the largest commercial aviation training campus in the Flight Services network. Aeromexico and LAN Airlines are the first customers to train on the 787 suites in Miami.

One of two 787 flight simulators now located at our Miami campus.

• Airplane Health Management signs three new customers - China Eastern, Jetstar and Royal Brunei - and extends their contract with Aeroflot to cover 737s, bringing their customer total to 61.