Like heavyweight boxers preparing for the propulsion fight of the century, the two mid-thrust challengers—CFM International and Pratt & Whitney—are squaring off with new sets of critical hardware tests for their competing designs.

Boeing is advancing its 777 and 787 programs by shuffling duties for two veterans at its Everett, Wash., widebody jet factory. Vice President Larry Loftis has become general manager of the Boeing 787, where the emphasis is on production increases and the introduction of the airplane's long-range 787-9 variant into final assembly. He previously headed Boeing 777 production, which already is at the build rate Boeing wants the 787 to attain.

When an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER completed a Los Angeles-Auckland flight in December, it was the first time an airline operated under 240-min. extended operations (ETOPS). But the new 240-min. limit is no longer the edge of the envelope—330 min. is now poised to become the new ETOPS gold standard—ever since last November when Boeing received type design authority from the FAA to offer a 330-min. ETOPS “option” on the General Electric GE90-powered 777 family.

An agreement to cooperate on energy conservation and emissions technology research deepens Boeing's ties with China's commercial aviation establishment.

Like miners hitting a rich vein, Boeing struck gold when it began delivering Boeing 777s almost 17 years ago. Now, with advanced 777X derivatives under study for service entry around 2019, the manufacturer is looking to protect the family for the rest of the decade with a set of interim upgrades.

Multiple hiccups could delay entry into service of the twin-aisle airliner by a year....

New chief executives, like political leaders, traditionally are given a 100-day honeymoon period when they take the helm. For incoming EADS CEO Tom Enders, the honeymoon has ended 100 days before he even takes office.

The call by carriers to standardize composite training certification, techniques and material mounts by the minute, with the Boeing 787 an operational fait accompli, and the Airbus A350 waiting to take wing.