BOEING could be announcing in 12 months” time, at the Singapore Air Show, the go-head for MOM, or the ”middle of market” aircraft, and what is likely to be known as the ”mini triple seven” with a 210-250 seat capacity. Based on technology developed for the abandoned Sonic Cruiser the new aircraft would be twin aisle, seven or eight abreast in economy with seats 18.5” wide. With new engines Boeing would be aiming for a 20% increase in efficiency over existing aircraft of the same size. Cruise speed would be .85m, or about the same as the highly successful 777. Boeing says that the faster cruise speed of the 747 and 777 over the Airbus A340 works very much in its favour, increasing time available at turn-round. On a six or seven hour sector 30 minutes can be very significant and help increase utilisation of the aircraft.
http://www.boeing.com