Boeing renames new "Dreamliner" 787

WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (AFP) - Boeing on Friday formally renamed its new "Dreamliner" jetliner the 787, dropping its initial designation as the 7E7.
"We used 7E7 to highlight the airplane's dramatic efficiency advantages," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"All those advantages and more continue with this official model designation for the airplane."
The move follows a succession of Boeing passenger jets that began with the 707 and includes the 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777.
The model designation comes at the same time the company announced orders from the China for 60 of the airplanes.
"Incorporating the 8 at the time of the China order is also significant because in many Asian cultures the number 8 represents good luck and prosperity," said Mulally.
Tradition at Boeing has been that airplanes in development are given a letter designation and at time of launch are given a number. The 757 started life as the 7N7, for instance. The 767 was the 7X7 and the 777 was the 767-X.

01/28/2005 20:38 GMT - AFP