SEATTLE, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Berlin-based German carrier airberlin celebrated this week the delivery of the first Next-Generation 737-700 with the new Boeing Sky Interior. airberlin received its first 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior in mid-February making the airline the first to operate both aircraft types with the new cabin design.

“The features of the new Boeing Sky Interior will provide increased comfort to airberlin passengers both on the 737-800 and on the 737-700,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are proud that airberlin is the first airline to take delivery and operate the new Boeing Sky Interior on a Next-Generation 737-700 model.”

Joachim Hunold, chief executive officer, airberlin said: “The introduction of the new Sky Interior is part of many comfort initiatives we are introducing throughout the airberlin fleet. This shows that we are placing even greater focus on the needs of business travelers and are making airberlin flights even more attractive. The Boeing Sky Interior is also a taste of things to come for airberlin passengers as the design is based on the interior of the Boeing Dreamliner.”

The sculpted sidewalls of the interior provide passengers with a feeling of spaciousness. New window reveals make the windows seem larger. Brighter and longer-lasting LED lighting can be programmed to provide a soft blue sky overhead or to create different effects during the flight. Larger stowage bins pivot down and out. Intuitive placement of switches and call buttons and improved sound quality are further features that enhance the passenger experience.

The delivery of the 737-700 with the new Boeing Sky Interior marks another milestone in the partnership between Boeing and airberlin that goes back to the carrier’s first flight from Berlin Tegel to Palma de Mallorca with a Boeing 707 in 1979. Today the second largest German airline is a valued customer for the Boeing Next-Generation 737 and also has an order for the fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner as a future addition to its fleet.

Source and photo: Boeing