Boeing Jets Founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington, Boeing Aircraft's business has expanded to include aerospace and defense products, including a merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world and the third largest contractor is the aerospace and defense sectors. Boeing’s origin dates back to 1916 when timberman William E. Boeing founded the Aero Products Company. In conjunction with Conrad Westervelt, Boeing developed his first airplane; a two-seat seaplane. By 1917, the company was renamed Boeing Airplane Company and primarily built “flying boats” for the US Navy during World War I. A diverse range of aircraft followed with trainers, pursuit planes, observation craft, torpedo planes and patrol bombers. Boeing has been a leading manufacturer of commercial jets for more than 40 years. Today, Boeing's primary aviation products are the Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 series of jet aircraft. Within that family of jet aircraft emerged the Boeing Business Jet. The Boeing Business Jet aircraft are variants of Boeing airliners for the private and corporate jet market. In 1967, the smaller, short-range 737 twinjet was the logical airplane to complement Boeing's 707 and 727 airliners. The aircraft typically seats between 25 and 50 passengers in customized, luxurious accommodations, include a bedroom, a bathroom with showers, a conference or dining area, and a living area. The Boeing Business Jet is built in partnership with General Electric. The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial airliner in history with more than 7,000 jet aircraft delivered. Updated in 1993, the Next-Generation 737 has a new wing design, increased fuel capacity and improved aerodynamics, leading to greater range and speed. The Boeing BBJ is primarily a 737 commercial airframe that has been modified for private jet service, including . The BBJ1 is based on a 737-700 airframe. The BBJ2 and BBJ3 are based on the 737-800 and 737-900ER series, respectively. Boeing supplies unfurnished BBJ airframes to DeCrane of Georgetown, Delaware for long range fuel tank installation. From DeCrane, the BBJ is flown to a completion centre for interior fit-out and exterior painting. The first completed BBJ was delivered in 1999, but like any Boeing jet, it requires longer runways than the typical private jet, limiting use to smaller airports. With headquarters in Renton, Wash., Boeing Commercial Airplanes has operations in more than a dozen cities and countries and employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries. New product development efforts are currently focused on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the 747-8. The company has nearly 12,000 commercial jetliners in service worldwide, which is roughly 75 percent of the world fleet. Click Here for News, Reviews, Images & Forums on Boeing Jets ***