SEATTLE, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and
Alaska Airlines [NYSE:ALK] announced today they are partnering on
the latest Boeing ecoDemonstrator program and will flight test
about 20 technologies on a new 737-9 to enhance the safety and
sustainability of air travel.
In flights beginning this summer, Boeing and Alaska will test a new halon-free
fire-extinguishing agent that significantly reduces effects on the
ozone layer, evaluate an engine nacelle designed to reduce noise
and assess cabin sidewalls made from recycled material, among other
projects.
"We have a long history of working with Boeing to advance
aviation technology, safety and fuel efficiency," said Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska Airlines' vice
president, public affairs and sustainability. "Alaska Airlines
flies to some of the most beautiful and geographically diverse
regions in the world and we are committed to finding ways to reduce
climate impacts across our network. This work with Boeing to
accelerate innovation on the ecoDemonstrator program enables us to
contribute to a more sustainable future for our global
community."
Since 2012, the ecoDemonstrator program has accelerated
innovation by taking nearly 200 promising technologies out of the
lab and testing them in the air to address challenges for the
aviation industry and improve the passenger experience.
"Boeing is committed to continually improve air safety and the
environmental performance of our products," said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president
and CEO. "We're proud to collaborate with our hometown customer and
other partners around the world this year to make flying more
sustainable."
In five months of ecoDemonstrator flight tests, Boeing and
Alaska will work with nine other
partners to test new technologies. After tests are complete, the
airplane will be configured for passenger service and delivered to
Alaska. The program's technologies
include:
- Testing a new fire extinguishing agent for aircraft that
significantly reduces effects on the ozone layer. This material is
intended to replace Halon 1301, which is no longer being
produced.
- Collaborating with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to measure greenhouse-gas levels in the atmosphere
to support the agency's climate modeling and long-term
forecasting.
- Evaluating acoustic lining concepts within the engine nacelle
that may reduce noise on current engines and will inform designs
for next-generation models.
- Recycling carbon composite material from Boeing 777X wing
production into a cabin sidewall panel. This durable, light
material would reduce fuel use and carbon emissions, and supports
Boeing's goals for sustainable manufacturing.
Boeing's current and future airplanes leverage a number of
technologies evaluated in previous ecoDemonstrator testing,
including:
- Advanced Technology winglets on the 737 MAX family that reduce
fuel use and emissions.
- iPad apps that provide real-time weather and other data to
pilots, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2
emissions. These apps complement digital analytics services Boeing
offers to help airlines optimize fleet utilization.
- A camera system on the new 777X that will enhance safety by
helping pilots avoid obstacles on the ground.
"Boeing put additional emphasis on sustainability in 2020 to
align with our stakeholder and business priorities as well as our
values," Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond said. "Through our collaboration
with industry partners, the ecoDemonstrator program is a great
example of our commitment to work together to make flying safer and
more sustainable for current and future generations."
ecoDemonstrator test flights are flown on a blend of
petroleum-based and sustainable aviation fuel. SAF is in regular
use today, reduces life-cycle CO2 emissions by up to
80%, and offers the most immediate and greatest potential to reduce
emissions over the next 20 to 30 years in all commercial aviation
markets.
In January this year, Boeing committed to make sure its
commercial airplanes are capable and certified to fly on 100% SAF
by 2030. The company also plans to work with regulatory authorities
and across the industry to raise the current 50% blending limit for
expanded use of SAF. Boeing's 2018 ecoDemonstrator 777 Freighter
made history as the world's first commercial airliner to fly on
100% sustainable fuel.
Learn more at boeing.com/ecodemonstrator.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops,
manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products
and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a
top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global
supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and
community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating
for the future and living the company's core values of safety,
quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.
Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120
destinations across the United
States and to Mexico,
Canada and Costa Rica. The airline emphasizes Next-Level
Care for its guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning
customer service and sustainability efforts. On March 31, 2021, Alaska became the 14th member of oneworld.
With the global alliance and Alaska Airlines' additional partners,
guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20
airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations
around the world. Learn more at newsroom.alaskaair.com and
blog.alaskaair.com.
Contact
Ivan Gale
Boeing Communications
+1 (571) 228-0974
ivan.e.gale@boeing.com
Paul McElroy
Boeing Communications
+1 (425) 283-7740
paul.mcelroy2@boeing.com
Alaska Airlines Communications
+1 (206) 304-0008
newsroom@alaskaair.com
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SOURCE Boeing