Boeing delivers Qantas’ 75th 737 and FedEx’s 1st 777 Freighter, both with meaningful names

Qantas 75th Boeing 737Yesterday, Boeing and Qantas celebrated the arrival of the 75th Boeing 737 in the Australian carrier’s fleet. Qantas which has been flying Boeing 737s since 1986 specified special 2.5 meter high blended winglets, which further reduce fuel burn, thereby increasing range and payload.

Since this aircraft will be deployed on the trans-Tasman Australia New Zealand route, Qantas aptly named the aircraft Jean Batten to honour the spirited New Zealand aviator who broke numerous flying records in the 1930s.

Today, Boeing delivered to FedEx Express, the world’s largest cargo carrier, its first 777 Freighter. This is Boeing’s ninth 777F delivery but the first to a U.S. based global freight carrier.

FedEx Express First Boeing 777 FreighterFedEx Express has a very touching practice of naming its aircraft after the children of its employees. The new 777F is named Saad, honouring the son of FedEx’s New Jersey based input auditor Kashif Zia. Incidentally, the very first Federal Express plane to take to the skies – a Dassault Falcon 20 – was named Wendy, honouring the daughter of company founder Fred Smith.

In the FedEx Express operation, the 777 Freighter can fly 5,800 nautical miles (6,675 statute miles, 10,740 km), an increase of 2,100 nautical miles (2,410 statute miles, 3,890 km) versus the airline’s MD-11 Freighter fleet. The FedEx 777 Freighter has a revenue payload capacity of 215,000 pounds (97.5 metric tons), a 37,000-pound (16.7 metric tons) increase over the MD-11 Freighter.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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