Boeing, Panama's Copa Airlines Announce Order for Two Additional 737-800s

SEATTLE, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Copa Airlines, Panama's flagship air carrier, announced an order for two more Next-Generation 737-800s, bringing to 15 the number of 737-800s the airline has ordered this year. The order is valued at $152 million at list prices.

"The Next-Generation 737 plays a major role in achieving our goal of offering our passengers world-class service, the most extensive route network in Latin America and one of the youngest fleets on the continent," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. "With these aircraft we will continue to consolidate and strengthen our leadership position in the Latin American airline industry, providing our passengers a truly attractive product and our company a highly efficient aircraft with superior economics."

Including this order, the airline has 29 Next-Generation 737s remaining to be delivered. In July, Copa placed an order for 13 airplanes.

"Copa is a valued partner and continues to demonstrate the positive contribution the Next-Generation 737 makes to an airline's bottom line," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Copa has selected Boeing's signature Sky Interior for its 737s on order, featuring new 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that will provide passengers with a greater connection to the flying experience. The new airplanes also will benefit from performance enhancements expected to result in a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements.

The Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most technologically advanced airplane in its class. It flies higher, faster and farther than previous models and competitors. In addition, its flight deck features the latest liquid-crystal flat-panel displays and is designed to accommodate new communications and flight-management capabilities.

Copa was the first carrier in the Americas to incorporate Blended Winglets on its 737s. All of its Next-Generation 737s use the distinctive curved wing ends, which improve fuel efficiency and lift while reducing engine wear and carbon dioxide emissions. Copa also was the first in the region to order Next-Generation 737s with the Vertical Situation Display system, which provides pilots with an easy-to-understand flight-path view.

Copa operates from Tocumen International Airport in Panama, a time-saving hub on long routes between the United States, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. It flies five of the world's longest 737 routes from there -- to Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Sao Paulo and Los Angeles -- thanks to the 737's exceptional range.

Source: BOEING