Boeing 777 returns to seven-per-month production rate

Workers rolled out the first Boeing 777 jetliner at the seven-per-month rate. The airplane, a freighter, will deliver to FedEx Express in June. This is the fourth time that the program has built the 777 at the seven-per-month rate. The program also built at this rate from July 1997 to February 1998, August 1998 to October 1999 and most recently from November 2006 to May 2010. As production rate increased, the program reduced production flow from 52 to 49 days from start to finish. Days of flow were removed in wing spar, service-ready wing and final body join areas. The flow reduction is attributed to increased productivity in those areas.