Boeing and Alaska Airlines Partner to Make Flying Safer and More Sustainable

Rhea-AI Summary

Boeing (BA) and Alaska Airlines (ALK) have partnered for the 2021 ecoDemonstrator program, flight testing approximately 20 technologies on a new 737-9 to enhance aviation safety and sustainability. The project includes innovations such as a halon-free fire extinguishing agent and recycled cabin materials. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of air travel, addressing greenhouse gas emissions and noise reduction. Boeing is committed to making its aircraft compatible with 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Positive

• Partnership between Boeing and Alaska Airlines to test 20 technologies for safer and more sustainable aviation.
• Inclusion of innovations such as halon-free fire extinguishing agents and recycled materials.
• Boeing's commitment to 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, enhancing long-term sustainability initiatives.

Negative

• None.

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

FAQ

What is the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program?

The Boeing ecoDemonstrator program tests new technologies to enhance aviation safety and sustainability, with nearly 200 technologies evaluated since 2012.

What technologies are being tested in the 2021 ecoDemonstrator program with Alaska Airlines?

Technologies include a halon-free fire extinguishing agent, noise-reducing engine nacelle designs, and cabin materials made from recycled composites.

What are the sustainability goals of Boeing and Alaska Airlines?

Boeing aims to make its commercial airplanes capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, while Alaska Airlines is focused on reducing climate impacts.

How does the ecoDemonstrator program address greenhouse gas emissions?

The program collaborates with NOAA to measure greenhouse gas levels and tests sustainable aviation fuel that reduces life-cycle CO2 emissions by up to 80%.

When will the flight tests for the ecoDemonstrator program start?

Flight tests for the ecoDemonstrator program are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021.