Boeing, SAS Agree to Exercise Options for Two Next-Generation 737s

SEATTLE, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that SAS Scandinavian Airlines has exercised options for two Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners. The airplanes will strengthen the 737 fleet of SAS Scandinavian Airlines to support growth on domestic and intra-Europe routes. The airline will equip the airplanes with fuel-saving Blended Winglets. The order was recently posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site attributed to an unidentified customer.

"SAS has ambitious targets to strengthen its position on the Northern European market. With these additional airplanes we can increase frequencies and add routes to our network, thereby serving our customers even better," said Mats Jansson, president and CEO of SAS Group. "We have a long history of being environmentally conscious, so we're delighted with the significant emission-reducing improvements of the 737 family." The SAS Group has a fleet of 88 Boeing 737s.

"The 737 has undergone continuous improvements to meet evolving market demands. As well as being the most high-tech, most reliable single-aisle aircraft available, the Next-Generation 737 has environmentally progressive features such as fuel-saving Blended Winglets and lighter-weight carbon brakes," said Marlin Dailey, vice president Sales, Europe, Russia & Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The lighter-weight carbon brakes are available on all Next-Generation 737 models from 2008 as a no-charge optional feature.

The 737-800's market success is confirmed by air finance investors, who consistently rank it as the most preferred airplane due to its wide market base, superior performance efficiency and lowest operating costs in its class. The 737 family is the most successful commercial airplane family in history, with more than 7,000 orders. As of Sept. 30, Boeing has nearly 1,800 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 worth more than $125 billion at current list prices.