Boeing Chokes On Its 797 and Says 2019

Winging It has long predicted a 2018 797 launch. The time window is just right for Boeing but its leaders have just now cleared its voice saying, "2019" for the 797 Goldilocks and will launch (hinted) in 2019 because its business case is not yet perfected for the 797. Winging It also believes a concurrent program for the 797 exists. 

In other words, the program has seven years before an official delivery date but in those seven years, Boeing would also concurrently resolve all financial planning concerns. Boeing does have its customers for a launch at this time. It also has its technological bundle for the 797 in a row. The design points are now relegated to an adjustment period where the eraser could change what launch customer would want for a refining design. An observer (Winging It) has no idea what has just occurred with the Boeing 797 prototype but only assumes it will hold 220-270 passengers and fly 5000-mile distance with full loads.

As mentioned before, CFM (A GE joint venture with Safran, jet engine builders) has let this little nuance out of its bag; "CFM" is ready to go with Boeing on a 797 "45,000 lbs thrust range". That is a major concern (having a new engine) for this airplane program and one more year waiting for a launch does not change the 2025 first delivery date but does allow Rolls, PW and GE; a shot of making a solid proposal during 2019. The concurrency has started with an engine builder already "concurrently" working an engine-up by Paris where development is farther along than the press would indicate. Expect an engine proposal coming forward, with Boeing accepting a single source jet engine. Rolls Royce is working at a high pace proposing a 797 jet engine by Paris Air Show, 2019. CFM is working and indicating it is ready for Boeing's 797 and GE is lurking while PW GTF is also a strong contender.

It could announce at Farnborough but won't announce because Boeing has backed down its new airplane development swagger as a corporate policy, thus avoiding all-new airplane woes experienced from the 787 experience. Airbus knows where Boeing is going and Boeing is not in the Airbus rearview mirror. Airbus needs to clean its windscreen several times a day from Boeing splatters at this time. The 797 is the biggest spatter for Airbus, which no wiper could possibly clean in time for the Paris Airshow. Boeing is going to have a huge widebody order book at Farnborough while Airbus will announce several hundred single-aisle A-320's orders. The dollar order value will favor Boeing at Farnborough and beyond.