The geographic breakdown of Boeing's airline customers has changed from historical patterns. Traditionally, about one-third of Boeing's airline customers were based in the United States. But through the first quarter of 2008, U.S. airlines account for less than 11 percent of Boeing's record backlog of unfilled orders. Customers in Asia and Australia, meanwhile, make up about 35 percent.
Assembly of the 777 Freighter tested its builders in ways never imagined. But the team worked together to get the first airplane through the factory and onto the flight line—all according to schedule—with minimal impact to other airplanes being built.
The Boeing Portland facility in Oregon has become a world-recognized expert in machining huge hunks of metal are machined into airplane parts. Since 2006, the site has hosted some 16,000 visitors from companies such as Nike, Toyota and Mitsubishi, who come to learn the best practices honed by employees there.
