SEATTLE – The Boeing Company in 2008 recorded 662 net commercial airplane orders, bringing its backlog of unfilled commercial orders to more than 3,700 airplanes.
The Next-Generation 737 remained the company’s best-seller, with 484 chosen last year. Demand for the new 787 Dreamliner also remained strong with 93 ordered, primarily by Middle East customers.
“While we clearly faced obstacles, 2008 also was a time of accomplishment,” said Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, who said that the 2008 order total was the eighth highest on record.
The twin-aisle 777 captured 54 orders from customers in Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. The 767-300ER (Extended Range) logged 28 orders, and the 747-8 Intercontinental added three to the orders list.
During 2008, 375 airplanes were delivered to customers worldwide: 290 737s (including six Boeing Business Jets), 14 747s, 10 767s and 61 777s.
Deliveries were affected by a strike that halted commercial production for several weeks.
