Orders fly in for Boeing

Boeing and Continental Airlines announced that Continental has converted 12 of its existing orders for Next-Generation 737 jetliners to 737-900ERS.

The announcement follows a Continental decision last August to become the first airline in the Americas and the first two-class carrier to order Boeing's newest and largest-capacity member of the 737 family, the -900ER. With this conversion, Continental now has orders for 24 737-900ER jetliners.

According to Boeing, the 737-900ER offers lower operating costs per trip and lower operating costs per seat than the A321, which is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) heavier.

The 737-900ER's enhanced performance is attributed to a series of aerodynamic and structural design changes that include: strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid and enhancements to the leading and trailing-edge flap systems, which provide the 737-900ER higher takeoff weight capability and increased range than the base model.

Boeing also announced this week that Nakash Group of America has ordered two of its 787-9 Dreamliners.