2002

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SEATTLE, April 15, 2002 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has finalized a firm order from Midwest Express Airlines for 25 Boeing 717-200 airplanes with options for an additional 25. Midwest Express, ranked the No. 1 domestic airline by the 2001 Zagat Airline Survey, announced in April of last year its intent to order 20 717s for its long-term fleet modernization program.

The estimated list value of the firm order for 25 717s is $940 million, with monthly deliveries scheduled to begin in February 2003 and continue into 2005. Total firm orders for the Boeing 717 are now 162, including this new order. The 717 has more firm orders than any other jetliner in its class, validating Boeing's December 2001 decision to commit to the airplane following a detailed economic and market evaluation.

"This order is a huge vote of confidence in the capabilities of the 717 airplane," said Toby Bright, Boeing Commercial Airplanes executive vice president -- Sales. "Finalizing this order -- in fact, increasing both the number of airplanes ordered and the rate of delivery -- shows faith that the 717 is the right airplane for Midwest Express' long-term business plans."

Midwest Express, based in Milwaukee, initiated revenue service in 1984 and currently operates a fleet of 35 airplanes, including 23 DC-9s and 12 MD-80 airplanes. In 2000, Midwest Express carried 2.1 million passengers. The airline will use its new 717s to expand capacity on existing routes, to launch new service to cities not currently served and eventually to replace existing DC-9s. The Midwest Express 717s will have 88 seats.

"Acquiring the Boeing 717 aircraft is another significant step in our efforts to enhance our brand by emphasizing our professional, attentive and comfortable product and service," said Timothy Hoeksema, chairman and chief executive officer, Midwest Express Airlines. "Speeding up delivery has many benefits because it will allow us to replace our DC-9 fleet more quickly with state-of-the-art, more fuel-efficient aircraft."

The Boeing 717-200 is the only new 100-passenger short-range jetliner in revenue service today. It makes effective use of the latest technology, resulting in low operating costs. The 717 produces the lowest noise and emissions, offering big-jet passenger comfort and breakthrough simplicity in design. Two advanced Rolls-Royce BR715 engines power the 717, making it the quietest airplane in its class.

"This is a great match: an award-winning airline choosing the best short-range, high frequency 100-passenger airplane in the world," Bright said. "The 717 is going to provide the high value to Midwest Express that it is demonstrating with other airlines around the world."

Since taking to the skies in 1984, Midwest Express Airlines has earned its reputation for "the best care in the air" by providing passengers premium service at competitive fares. The airline is known for offering passengers personal attention, two-across, wide leather seats, fine food served on china with complimentary wine or champagne, and baked-onboard chocolate chip cookies on select flights.

LONG BEACH, June 18, 2002 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] delivered its 100th 717 jetliner during a special ceremony today at the company's final assembly facility at Long Beach, Calif.

"I congratulate the 717 team . . . you're way ahead of the competition by delivering 100 superior airplanes while the competition is still in development," said Jim Jamieson, executive vice president of Airplane Programs at Boeing. "Your world-class performance helps to make the 717 a real winner."

The 100th production airplane went to launch customer AirTran Airways, bringing the carrier's 717 fleet to 37 airplanes, with 13 additional deliveries scheduled this year.

"We are pleased to take delivery of this Boeing 717," said Joe Leonard, chairman and chief executive officer of AirTran, which provides daily departures to 38 destinations in the United States. "It's a fantastic airplane, and passengers frequently call and tell us to put them on a 717."

Leonard said the 717 is 24 percent more fuel efficient than its DC-9s.

"With its lower operating costs, excellent reliability and overwhelming passenger acceptance, the 717 plays a key role in keeping costs low at AirTran," he said.

In addition to AirTran, other customers present at the event included Bavaria International Leasing, Hawaiian Airlines, Midwest Express Airlines and QantasLink. A number of 717 supplier-partners also were on hand to celebrate the program milestone. Among them were Alenia, Honeywell and Rolls-Royce.

Midwest Express, the newest 717 customer, takes delivery of its first airplane in February 2003. It has ordered 25 airplanes with 25 options.

The Boeing 717, designed for airline profitability, is the best selling airplane in the 100-seat market, with a total of 162 orders and 112 other customer commitments. The 717 is being operated on four continents by seven airlines.

"The journey to get to the number 100 airplane has been challenging," said Jim Phillips, vice president of the 717 program, during the celebration. "But we have achieved this milestone by working together as a team. Now it's time to press on to number 200 and beyond." Courtesy: Boeing

SEATTLE, Oct. 16, 2002 -- Bangkok Airways has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation and Boeing Aircraft Trading to lease two additional 717-200 jetliners.

"Sukhothai" and "Luang Prabang" -- the designated names for Bangkok Airways' third and fourth 717s, respectively -- are scheduled for delivery later this month, just in time to enter passenger service prior to the busy holiday season.

Bangkok Airways, dubbed by Time magazine as a "big little airline," plans to operate the new 717-200 jetliners on routes connecting Bangkok to Xian, China, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Samui, Thailand, and other future international routes. Bangkok Airways also will be flying the 717s to Phuket, a famed paradise island in the southern part of Thailand, beginning on Nov. 1 this year.

"We continue to expand our fleet and enhance our routes to this region's most distinguished and historical sites, because we always aim to better serve our passengers and provide them with memorable trips from beginning to end," said Prasert Prasartthong-Osoth, owner and CEO of Bangkok Airways. "The 717's big-jet comfort and quietness are major components in making this experience possible."

Bangkok's 717s are configured to carry 125 passengers. The Boeing 717 is the world's best-selling airplane in its class and is designed especially for reliable short-haul, high-frequency service. The twinjet makes efficient use of technology to drive down operating and maintenance costs.

Bangkok Airways is known throughout Southeast Asia as the first privatized airline in Thailand. The carrier currently serves 14 destinations in five countries. Courtesy: Boeing

SEATTLE, Oct. 23, 2002 -- AirTran Airways has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation to lease 23 additional 717-200 jetliners. All the airplanes are scheduled to be delivered by Boeing in 2003.

"The 717's durable design and advanced technology combine to make it an exceptionally efficient aircraft to fly," said Joe Leonard, chairman and CEO of AirTran Airways. "With its greater operating efficiencies, excellent reliability and overwhelming passenger acceptance, the 717 plays a key role in keeping costs low at AirTran Airways."

From its hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, AirTran Airways provides 388 daily flights to 40 cities throughout the eastern United States. The low-cost carrier was the launch customer of the 717 and is the largest operator of the airplane. AirTran Airways has received 46 of the modern twinjets to date and, by the end of 2003, will have one of the youngest fleets in the world.

AirTran Airways' 717s are configured to carry 117 passengers in big jet comfort. The 717 is the world's best-selling airplane in its class, with the most orders of any new airplane in the 100-seat market. The 717 is built especially for low-cost and reliable short-haul, high-frequency service

Courtesy: Boeing

SALZBURG, Austria, Oct. 30, 2002 -- A Boeing 717-200 passenger jet operated by AeBal S.A., a subsidiary of Spanair in Spain, arrived here today for the opening of this year's General Assembly of the European Regions Airline Association, or ERAA.

This is the first time a 717 is being showcased at the ERAA event, which brings together numerous representatives from European airlines, airports and companies.

"We are pleased to display and demonstrate for ERAA participants how the 717 brings the best to the 100-seat market," said Jim Phillips, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of the 717 program. "The 717 is right-sized for Europe and is ready now with all the advantages that customers need."

The 717 will be on static display at the Salzburg Airport on Tuesday, Oct. 1, starting at 6 p.m. A demonstration flight for ERAA officials, invited guests and the media is scheduled for 9 p.m. The airplane will be on display Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m., and then take airline presidents and other executives on a short flight. Jim Phillips is scheduled to conduct a 717 program media briefing on Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m., in the Press Center.

More than 100 of the clean and quiet Boeing twinjets have been delivered to customers on four continents. In Europe, customers include Aerolineas Baleares, Bavaria International Aircraft Leasing, Olympic Aviation, and Pembroke Capital Leasing.

The efficient 717 is specifically designed for short-haul, high-frequency, 100-passenger routes, making the airplane a perfect fit for the low-cost European regional airline market.

"The 717 offers superb seat-mile economics with unmatched reliability, revenue-generating capability, passenger appeal and environmental characteristics," said Jose Jaume, managing director and CEO of Aeolineas Baleares.

Two advanced BR 715 engines from Rolls-Royce Deutschland in Germany power the Boeing 717 and provide the lowest noise and emissions of any new airplane in its class. The 717's noise footprint is up to 12 times smaller than aircraft it will replace, and its emission levels are more than 50 percent below the 2004 International Civil Aviation Organization limits.

Alenia in Italy builds the 717's rugged fuselage, and Fischer Advanced Composites in Austria provides the airplane's spacious big-jet interior. Other European suppliers of components are based in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Final assembly of the 717 takes place on a unique continuous moving line at the Boeing plant in Long Beach, Calif.

The 717 benefits from a tradition of twinjet design excellence. It was the first commercial airplane to receive concurrent and cooperative certification from United States and European aviation regulatory authorities. The airplane has continued to record high fleet-dispatch reliability and low maintenance costs after three years of passenger service.

Boeing is committed to the success of the 717, which currently has more customer orders and deliveries than any other new airplane in its class.

Courtesy: Boeing

Dec. 19, 2002 -- AirTran Airways has received its 50th 717-200, a reliable short-range, high-frequency twinjet built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Long Beach, Calif. AirTran is the launch customer and largest operator of the 717. By the end of 2003, the low-cost carrier will have one of the youngest fleets in the world.

From its hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, AirTran provides daily flights to 40 cities throughout the eastern United States in 717s configured to carry 117 passengers in big jet comfort. The fuel-efficient 717 is the best-selling airplane in its class, with the most orders of any new airplane in the 100-seat market. Courtesy: Boeing