Not One But Two Boeing BBJ 2s Bring Bigger Bizjet Benchmark

First flight of the first BBJ 2 was overshadowed by the more earthshaking 6.8 earthquake.

The first two Boeing Business Jet 2 aircraft were delivered "green" in the last few weeks and will soon be on their way to completion centers.

Aircraft No.1, with its undisclosed customer on board, was delayed on Feb. 28 by the 6.8 Richter scale earthquake that hit Seattle just 10 minutes before its scheduled departure. It finally took off on March 3 for Decrane Aircraft Systems Integration Group's PATS, Inc. facility in Georgetown, Delaware, where it and BBJ 2 No. 2 will have auxiliary fuel tanks and winglets installed before proceeding to completion centers.

"The delivery of the first BBJ 2 is another positive step forward for the Boeing Business Jets program," said Boeing Business Jets president Borge Boeskov. "In developing a family of business jets specifically designed to meet the increasing travel needs of global leaders, we've proven our commitment to the market.

"Our customers asked for increased cabin and luggage space, and that's exactly what we offer with the BBJ 2."

Announced in October 1999, the BBJ 2 is based on the Boeing 737-800 and is 19.2 feet longer than the 737-700 fuselage on which the BBJ is based. It has 25% more interior space and twice the luggage space of the BBJ.

Range is 5,750 nm. Boeing expects it to account for 25% of all BBJ orders.