Boeing Explains Why It’s Taking Its Time on ‘797’ Business Case

Boeing Co. doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to move along plans for a new family of mid-range jetliners dubbed by observers as the “797” -- even as some long-time customers grow impatient and a rival Airbus SE plane gobbles up sales.

Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing’s chief executive officer, gave a peek into the complex calculations involved in building the business case for what Boeing calls the NMA program, for New Mid-Market Aircraft. The Chicago-based planemaker plans to make a decision next year on whether to launch the program, with a possible commercial debut in 2025.