In the s the RB. Variants of the RB. Following its first flight on 19 February , the Boeing is now entering a phase of intensive testing to achieve certification by December, in a total of about 1, flying hours.
The Boeing-owned first aircraft, illustrated here, was used for a preliminary airworthiness evaluation by the FAA at Paine Field, Everett, after making its first flight from Renton, and was then transferred to the Boeing Flight Center at Boeing Field, Seattle.
During March, flutter clearance was obtained in a record time of 14 hrs 21 min, and the second - in Eastern Air Lines colours - was airborne for the first time on 29 March. Three more s are destined to be used for the airworthiness programme.
At the time of writing, a total of Boeing s is on order for seven airlines, with another 56 on option. More than 1, s were produced between and Despite this, Boeing has yet to launch a suitable successor for the ageing type. The Boeing Company retains its position as the world's leading manufacturer of jetliners, helped by the introduction of the Boeing on photo and the Boeing At the end of the initial three-year lease, the aircraft may be swapped for a From until Air Transat flew a fleet of Boeing s.
It was then decided to replace them with Airbus As. The aircraft, which will shortly be joined by a second example, will be used to expand existing routes and to offer more international charter flights connecting to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.
