Pictures of Etihad A340-500

edwin · Post by **edwin** » 09 Apr 2006, 12:40

poor airbus makes me feel sorry for them, but its good that boeing has a lead on some model planes such as the 777 737 and maybe who knows 787

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 09 Apr 2006, 19:14

I'm not sure you could say Airbus has a lead with the 737. Seems to me the A320 family has won more orders than the 737, especially in the past 2 years, and has successfully made an inrod in Boeing's low cost territory with that aircraft.

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 09 Apr 2006, 21:34

Airbus currently has a lead in the short-medium range market with the A320. But Boeing is doing way better in the long range market with the 777.

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 09 Apr 2006, 22:37

Read my post and you'll see it's not in contradiction with yours. I didn't write that Airbus was doing better than Boeing in the 777-A340 market. That would have been stupid.
I wrote that Boeing does not have a lead with the 737. That's all.
But since we're at it, I think you should be more specific when adressing the long range market, since it's made of several segments.
The A380 is also in the long range market and is undeniably leading (vs the 747-8 which has yet to book an order for its passenger version).
And so is the 787-8 and it's leading too.

edwin · Post by **edwin** » 09 Apr 2006, 23:05

yes true airbus is leading the short haul market, but boeing is catching up, the current 737 new generation model outruns the A320 such as speed, fuel, quieter, higher and so on.... i find boeing has done a good job at it.

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 09 Apr 2006, 23:44

What do you mean, "the current 737NG"? The 737NG has been around for nearly 10 years now. It sold better than the A320 during the first 5 years, mainly thanks to those exclusive provider agreements signed with American and Delta Airlines, which needed to replace their fleets of ageing 727s and older 737s, and low cost carriers.
But the A320 has been definitely selling better over the last 2 years.
The A320 beats the 737 in other aspects: a much larger cargo hold, roomier cabin (ask the FA how they like working in the cramped galleys of a 737) and better DOC.
In the end, both are excellent at what they were designed for: being a medium haul workhorse. Otherwise the leasing companies of the world wouldn't have placed comparable orders for both aircraft.

edwin · Post by **edwin** » 10 Apr 2006, 11:11

Boeing is looking into creating the Y1 model which is the follow up of the 737 model. Is the Y1 a complete different model or the same design with new enhancements

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 10 Apr 2006, 18:29

Very little is known about Project Yellowstone 1 (the 787 was Yellowstone 2 and the future replacement for the 777 is dubbed Yellowstone 3) except it should make extensive use of composite materials and would need new, more efficient engines.
Just like Airbus, Boeing is not in a hurry to launch a replacement for the current 737NG, which still sells pretty well (the 320/737 have a comparable market share, with a slight advantage for the 320 lately).
If they announce the official launch of the Y1 orders for the 737 will ineluctably dwindle. The problem was different with the 767 replacement, since the 767's market share had fallen below 30%.
I believe both companies want to continue making money with their existing products, since the development cost have long been amortized.
Once one starts, the other will have to follow suit by launching a competing aircraft. So I guess they are playing wait and see while getting their R&D departments ready for a quick start.
Plus, CFM and IAE are not quite ready yet either with new engines.
Don't you think so?

edwin · Post by **edwin** » 10 Apr 2006, 19:40

yes i do agree thank you for the information, but i dont think you have quite answered my question, is it a new design ? or is boeing going to stick to the old design

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 10 Apr 2006, 20:53

edwin wrote:yes i do agree thank you for the information, but i dont think you have quite answered my question, is it a new design ? or is boeing going to stick to the old design

If you mean Y1, I'm sure it'll be a new design. The 737 has been around a long time.

@Sas MD80: Airbus certainly has a lead with the A380 above the 747-8, thats true, but in the market of currently produced aircraft, it is 115 orders for the 777, versus 15 for the A340. Also the 787 also has a lead on the A350.

edwin · Post by **edwin** » 10 Apr 2006, 23:02

Thank you for ur reply

i hope the 747-8F catches up on orders coz it would be sad seeing the 747 going out of production....

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 11 Apr 2006, 00:26

@fokker_f27
I agree with you of course.

@edwin
You're right, the 747 is a beautiful machine (though I find the MD-11 sleeker), and I hope it hangs around for a long time.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 15 Apr 2006, 04:25

I love the MD 11, i was very sad to see it go out of production

:(:(

SAS_MD80 · Post by **SAS_MD80** » 15 Apr 2006, 10:51

In my opinion McDonnell Douglas produced the best looking airliners. I love the elegance slimness of the MD80, and the MD11 is also one of my favourites. I think it's the best looking widebody. The 777 looks boring in comparison, it looks too plain, too much like an overblown 737. Recently I saw a FedEx MD11 on approach and it was a splendid sight to see it with its third engine and impressive winglets.
I was just as sad as you to see it go out of production.i