Boeing’s New 797 Will Be Built In Washington

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Boeing has just reached a massive new tentative agreement affecting over 33,000 Boeing employees In its statement on the deal, Boeing revealed it plans to build the much-anticipated 797 mid-sized airliner in Washington. The proposed New Midsize Airplane (NMA) has been touted for around a decade, but these are the first concrete plans for the project

Boeing 797 to be built in Washington

In a news release on September 8, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope stated,

” Just as important, this contract deepens our commitment to the Pacific Northwest. Boeing’s roots are here in Washington. It is where generations of workers have built incredible airplanes that connect the world .”

In the video message to employees, Pope went on to say,

” And it’s why we’re excited that, as part of the contract, our team in the Puget Sound region will build Boeing’s next new airplane. This would go along with our other flagship models, meaning job security for generations to come. It’s a big commitment to you and to our community. “

BREAKING: Boeing’s yet-to-be-launched 797 will be built in Western Washington.

“we’re excited that, as part of the contract, our team in the Puget Sound region will build Boeing’s next new airplane. “ https://t.co/gfgsFEkI44 https://t.co/aoPX6iSadO

— Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower) September 8, 2024

“Boeing’s next new airplane” is believed to be the Boeing New Midsize Airplane, colloquially referred to as the Boeing 797. It is unclear when the aircraft will go into production, although the statement does suggest that Boeing is pursuing its development and expects to eventually bring it into service

Boeing’s 797 New Midsize Airplane

The so-called Boeing 797 remains a concept airliner aiming to fill the ‘middle of the market’ segment – a void partially created by the Boeing 757 being taken out of production. Boeing assessed that the market size was large enough to pursue development work in 2015. By 2017, multiple airlines expressed interest in it (estimates placed demand as between 2,000 and 4,000 airframes).

It is thought that the aircraft would be a twin-aisle aircraft with two variants (a 225-seater with a 5,000 NM range and a 275-seater with a 4,450 NM range). This would replace the now-aging Boeing 757, and if built, it would offer significantly (40%) lower trip costs. However, in January 2020, as Boeing reeled from the fallout of two fatal 737 MAX crashes, it was reported that these plans had been put on hold.

Later, in 2020, there was speculation that Boeing would change the design to a short-haul narrowbody that was only a little bigger than the Boeing 737. This debate was triggered by former Airbus Americas president Barry Eccleston (who has been critical of the program). The aircraft is expected to cost up to $25 billion to develop. Reports in 2022 suggested its development would be delayed until new engines mature, and as of 2024, its status remains unclear.