Boeing is considering a wider "Next Generation" revamp of its 767 programme as it makes what appears to be a last push to launch the 777-100X, with proposals about to be made to Northwest Airlines. Boeing is already planing a longer range 767-400ERX derivative. Hints at more widespread changes to the -300ER and -200ER versions if the shorter 777 option does not go ahead. Plans include using of the newly developed 767-400ER flightdeck in all three versions, the same interior and possible revival of range extension studies already undertaken for the -300ERX/ERY and possibly enlarged to include the -200. The move could also include engine and wing improvements on a similar scale to those adopted for the NG 737 family.

What do you think?

Jeremiah Teahan

It will definately be interesting to see which way Boeing goes. I know that SIA has been very interested in the 777-100 and not as keen on the 767-400ERX.

Boeing's making a smart move here, in the instance the 777-100 doesn't go through. Airbus would be wise to reconsider the A329 idea (or at least a modernized A310) if the 767NG becomes reality.
The 767 would look *really* cool with RR Trents...
On the same note, so would the A310...

I'd love to see NW with 757s and 767s in their sharp c/s. That would also allow them to include MSP with DTW with their -PEK routes

I've been hearing some rumors about these planes from both inside and outside of Boeing, and they sound great. Greater range, new interiors, new flightdeck, new engines, larger wings, etc. Truly a good revamping.   My own prediction is that Boeing will go ahead with the 767NG program no matter what happens with the 777-100X. I particularly think a 767-300ERNG would sell like hot cakes! The only question would then be if the -400ERX actually makes it to production. From what I've heard, Boeing has had just about equal interest in the 777-100X and the 767-400ERX, so perhaps both models will wind up on the factory floor.

Hamlet69

I thought Boeing was already going forth with the 767NG program, as new 767-300's are being delivered with the "new" interior (and cockpit--?), as well as the 767-200ER's being delivered with the new cabin/cockpit of the 767-400.

F L Y 7 7 7 U A L

Boeing is already going ahead with the 757 and 767 conversion program which should be ready in about a year. Older 757s and 767s can be remodeled with the newcockpit and new interior. The 767NG will come out as will the 757NG. They will be wider, but not require any difference in equipment to load or things of that nature.

"[Become] wider"? What are you smokin'?

F L Y 7 7 7 U A L

An article was written in either FI or Air & Space about the new 757 being developed based as a Business Jet. During the past year Boeing had appearently found a way to widen the fuselage without making airlines change ground equipment. Essentially this is a basis of a larger "Family".

Yes, I think Boeing is going to launch a NG767 program anytime soon even if the 757 goes out of production in three years from now. That's what's gonna happen, the 757 will probably go out of production in five years from now and the 767 will continue to be built for many more years to come. Boeing has made a 767-400 already, although this one hasn't received many orders yet a new version is under study, the 400ERX. I would consider the current 400 as being part of the NG767 program.
Although Boeing isn't receiving anymore orders for the 200/200ER, it is certainly still available because the tooling required to build any version of the 767 is the same. They still built the 300ER and now the 400, so the 200ER could still be built.

This is my prediction: Boeing engineers are going to work on a new 767, the 500, which would have the exact lengh and seating layout as the 200 but the new technology involved in designing the 400 would be incorporated. In other words, the 500 would simply be a shortened 400. Think about it, the 767-200 is almost twenty years old, so major airlines like American and Delta should start thinking of a replacement. The 500 which I describe above would be the perfect replacement of the 200. If Boeing starts working on it now, it could roll out of the factory in three or four years from now and first delivery would take place in five years from now. I'm sure American would be interested in it (so would Detla) because they've been operating the 200 on long haul flights for a long time. American was in fact an early customer for the Boeing 767.

I really think the 767 has a long future, so does the 777. Boeing has been planning the 777-100 which would be a shortened 200 but it would have a very long range, close to 10000NM nonstop! So I wouldn't consider that one as a substitute of the 767-400 eventhough they could carry the same number of passengers and/or the same amount of freight. I agree with you when you say that Boeing will come out with a NG767 family whether or not the 777-100X will be built.

On the other side, Airbus is currently planning an A330-100 which could compete with the new 767 I described. The so called A330-100 could be designated as the A329 and it would also be designed to fly over 7000NM nonstop! The A330-100/200 is the replacement of the A310.

Any questions? Please don't hesitate to ask.  

Ben Soriano
Brussels Belgium

Why did you give the 757 only 5 more years of production? A widebody (767) cannot take the place (economically) of a 757 on a domestic route...

F L Y 7 7 7 U A L

The original plan for the 777-100X was to have 10,000nm range. However, with the advent of the 777-200LR, that plan has changed. Now, the -100X will have a range of approx. 7,500 nm, as this lowers its operating weight and thereby costs. The plane is more a long-range regional aircraft than an ultra-long haul one.

The current modifications Boeing offers on the 767-200/ER and -300/ER only cover the new interior, they don't offer a refit of the cockpit, as this would require considerably more effort and $$$. However, assuming they are launched, the 767-500 (-200ERX) and 767-600 (-300ERX) would have the -400's cockpit and avionics, as well as its wings, related systems, and of course, updated interior package.

If the 767NG gets launched, I can imagine a 757NG program would not be far behind, if not the same program. Larger, beefier wings (more range), higher thrust engines and the 767-400ER's cockpit would presumably all be included. However, they would NOT widen the fuselage. It's not really a problem with the airlines. The problem lies in Renton and Wichita, where the fuselages are made. The assembly jigs required for building up the fuselage panels are designed to accomodate a longer fuselage, but not a wider one. A wider fuselage would mean retooling the entire assembly line. This would add millions to the cost, and would pretty much throw the advantages of a derivative (cost effecient) out the window.

Hamlet69

FLY777UAL,
The subject of conversation is all about the 767. When I say that the 757 will probably go out of production within the next five years, I say PROBABLY. I didn't say certainly. I'm not saying it's formally true, this just is a rumor that has been going around for the last few days in this forum. And I was talking about the 757-200, because Boeing could also plan a new 757-400 which would be a 200 with the technology incorporated in the 777 design. Maybe the 757-400 will be the successor of the 200 in the middle of the 2000's, who knows? We don't know about everything that there is in Boeing's drawing boards. The future of the 757 was not in the scope of this topic.

Ben Soriano