The Boeing 787 has set new records for both speed and distance for the airplane's weight class, according to a Boeing statement. “The sixth 787, ZA006, powered by General Electric GEnx engines, departed from Boeing Field in Seattle at 11:02 a.m. Dec. 6 and set the distance record for its class (440,000-550,000 lbs.) with a 10,710 n. mi. (19,835 km.) flight to Dhaka, Bangladesh, with credit for 10,337 n. mi. (19,144 km.). This record had previously been held by the Airbus A330 based on a 9,127 n. mi. (16,903 km.) flight in 2002,” Boeing said.

Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) has unveiled its new premium economy class and upgraded economy class seats on its long-haul flights from March 2012(ATW Daily News, Aug. 25). The first aircraft featuring the seats will be a Boeing 777-300ER, which will enter service in March on the Hong Kong-Toronto route.

Computer rendering of A320neo in JetBlue livery. Courtesy, Airbus JetBlue Airways has selected Pratt & Whitney engines to power its recently ordered fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft, becoming the first US customer for PurePower engines (ATW Daily News, Oct. 28).

FedEx revealed Thursday it has placed a firm order for 27 Boeing 767-300 freighters valued at $4.74 billion at list prices, but also has deferred delivery of 11 777Fs.

A glut of new orders in an uncertain economy raises questions on aircraft pricing.

The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, the latest passenger version of the popular widebody, won FAA certification Wednesday; the first of the type is slated for delivery to Lufthansa (LH) early next year (ATW Daily News, Dec. 6).

BOC Aviation entered into a sale and leaseback transaction for four new Embraer 195s, the lessor's first such transaction involving Embraer aircraft. The aircraft are on long-term lease to Brazil's Azul. Two have been delivered and two are scheduled for delivery by the 2012 second quarter.

Japan Airlines 787-8. Courtesy, Boeing The first Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner rolled out of Boeing’s paint hangar in Everett, Wash., Tuesday night. The aircraft will be used for JAL’s new Tokyo Narita-Boston route and will be delivered early next year. According to Boeing, the airplane's livery features the iconic new brand mark on its tail.