797. The Plane That Never Was.

I like the idea of the 2-3-2 seating plan! No need to share the same row when the two of us are flying!

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I'd have thought Boeing predicted just how many models they'd produce in their existence a long time ago.

Nice article, I too lament the demise of a potential new mid-size design. My main complaint is that, regardless of whether they build a new design or shrink the 787, Boeing is somehow unable to have a replacement for the 757. It's not like the 757 end-of-life caught them by surprise. I suppose they just thought a very efficient stretched 737 (i.e. the MAX) would take it's place.

Shame.. with gas prices so low.. the current desert stockpile like the 757s look alot more appealing..

Call me optimistic, but the 797 (aka NBA or Next Boeing Airplane) will be the 737 replacement on a truly clean sheet design. 3+3 Economy and 2+2 seating up front, but with a better fuselage shape so there's more cargo room, better overheads, and...drum roll...more room for fuel. Give it a size bracket that starts at or slightly above the MAX8's seating capacity, and stretches out to halfway between the 752 and 753. Longer legs to suit the 752 and hence all of the cramping factors that have burdened the 737 (squirrel cheeks on the nacelles to hide the auxiliaries, engine placement challenges that drove Boeing to do MCAS). Done right, it gives them the upper hand on Airbus in the short-haul sector, long/thin sector, and nudges them to a place where their product family is 777/787/797, even if I do shed a tear that the 747 will go away (don't ruin my dream!) after the UPS frames are built (I swear Cargolux wants 40 more nose loaders before the line shuts down).

They already have type-rating commonality between 777 and 787. Could they extend it to 797 with a clean sheet design and create true fluidity across a fleet?