Boeing Launches Son of BBJ at NBAA

To satisfy demand for a business jet even larger than its Next Generation 737-derived BBJ, Boeing Business Jets will launch a bigger BBJ in Atlanta this week. It will be a Next Generation 737-800 with slight structural changes to accommodate additional fuel tanks, BBJ president Borge Boeskov told Show News.

It was customer requests for more spaceboth in the cabin and in the cargo holdthat prompted Boeing to launch what it's calling the BBJ II.

"There are two reasons," Boeskov says. "First, we have had people who said they would like an airplane that can operate from Europe to the West Coast. You need all the auxiliary fuel tanks to get there. Once there are that many tanks in the belly there is not a lot of baggage space left. Second, there is more deck space on top."

The BBJ has 80 feet of useful cabin space, the BBJ II will have 100 feet.

"There is always a demand for something bigger and better," Boeskov says. "It was baggage space that drove us to this. And it is good marketing for people to have a step-up product."
Boeskov said he expects two out of every 10 BBJs sold to be a BBJ II, for an average of four or five per year. The price of the BBJ II will be $43 million, versus $35.8 million for the original BBJ. Range of the BBJ II will be 300 nmi less than the BBJ's range of 6,200 nmi.

With two business jets in its line, Boeskov believes it is only a matter of time before a BBJ III is introduced. For that aircraft, Boeing will likely move from the 737 to a larger aircraft.
"BBJ III, in my mind, is not another 737," said Boeskov. "Now we're getting to know our clientele, (which would like) another 2,000 nmi and bigger cabin.

"It could be a 757-200 body on a -300 wing. That would make an excellent executive aircraft. It would go 7,300 nmi if you do it right. Another (possible BBJ III) would be a 767-200; it would attain even greater range.

"But I would suspect the progression of the market would be a 757 direction. It has a super wing, is a great short-field airplane (4,500 feet to 5,000 feet) and has super-long range."
One thing that Boeskov knows for sure is that Boeing's 717 commercial narrowbody nearing delivery with AirTran will not be converted to business jet use. Application as a 50-person corporate shuttle aircraft is more likely.

"The 717 could make an excellent corporate shuttle," he says. "But for long-range executive transport it doesn't have enough range, speed or altitude. Nothing's happening that I know of" to convert the 717 to executive use, he says.

It's been the success of the original BBJ that has moved Boeing to expand its line of business jets. Boeing has not publicized any new sales since last NBAAthe figure remains at 46but Boeskov said there will be news of new sales this week in Atlanta. He also expects sales to get even better as finished BBJs begin making their way to market.

"When we actually have some in service, and people see how they're outfitted, you're going to see the dynamic change. People will recognize what space does for you. I expect sales to be the best between this NBAA and the next one."

Boeskov has been president of Boeing Business Jets since mid-1996. A native of Iceland, he has been with Boeing since 1965. Boeskov recently received an Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine Aerospace Laurels award for his efforts in establishing Boeing Business Jets.

As president, Boeskov has spearheaded a variety of manufacturing partnerships to keep the BBJ competitive. They include the Aviation Partners Boeing joint venture, which is building winglets for the BBJ and will design and build winglets for other Boeing commercial aircraft as well.

Maryland-based PATS was responsible for the STCs necessary for the BBJ's auxiliary fuel tanks, and, most recently, Boeing Business Jets brought onboard Delta Air Lines and GE Engine Services to manage maintenance for BBJs that go into fractional ownership under a separate partnership program with Executive Jet.