Firstly, a committee in the UK has dismissed a complaint by Airbus over a Boeing claim that the 747-8I is 8% more efficient than an A380. Airbus said Boeing crammed too many seats in their plane to make it an apples to apples comparison. They might have a point, but still, my question is "who cares?". Fleet managers aren't making decisions based off advertisements like this, and most of the public (and press) can't tell a 747 from a 737. Much ado over little.
Secondly, for the second time in a few days, line 1463 (RC604) VQ-BRH has been scheduled to return to KPAE from Pinal Airpark where she's been stored for six months. If this flight actually happens this time, it looks like AirBridgeCargo might be finally ready to take delivery of another frame. That would be wonderful.
UPDATE: Line 1463 en route to KPAE!
Here are pictures of 787 line 21 (ZA176) JA-823J for Japan Airlines taking off on a B1. As you might know I have a special place in my heart for planes that sit around a long time before flying, and this one sat for something like four years since leaving the final assembly line, so I'm unofficially poaching this event from All Things 787.
Secondly, for the second time in a few days, line 1463 (RC604) VQ-BRH has been scheduled to return to KPAE from Pinal Airpark where she's been stored for six months. If this flight actually happens this time, it looks like AirBridgeCargo might be finally ready to take delivery of another frame. That would be wonderful.
UPDATE: Line 1463 en route to KPAE!
Here are pictures of 787 line 21 (ZA176) JA-823J for Japan Airlines taking off on a B1. As you might know I have a special place in my heart for planes that sit around a long time before flying, and this one sat for something like four years since leaving the final assembly line, so I'm unofficially poaching this event from All Things 787.
Regarding the advertising issue, clearly the decision makers are not the targets of these silly ads (on both sides).
ReplyDeleteHowever, what really counts are what the actual performance figures are. One interesting quote I saw from the Aviation Week article was this:
"However, one airline industry source with detailed inside knowledge of performance data for both aircraft on comparable routes and layout standards says there is hardly any unit cost difference between the 747-8 and the A380. Even so, that data does suggest a trip cost advantage for Boeing in excess of 20%, the official says. Unlike the unit cost figures, which appear to be off for both the Boeing and Airbus claims, the trip cost level would be relatively close to what Boeing markets for its largest aircraft."
If that is accurate, and the improvements come in at the tail end of this year as expected, those numbers should only improve.
Perhaps many airlines have been sitting on the sideline waiting for more hard data like this to come to light? One can hope at least. :-)
If it weren't for that pesky 777X! :)
DeleteHeh, true. Going just by Boeing's own numbers, there is still a 60 passenger difference between the 9X and the 8i. Like all things, it is yet to be seen how an actual airline will actually configure a 777X. Boeing's recent statements and their continuing investment into improving the 747-8 lead me to believe that they see it having a place in their lineup even after the 777X is on offer.
DeleteTime will tell if they are correct. As I said above, getting more detailed numbers on performance is good, and one can hope that the continual improvements prove Boeing correct.
"... most of the public (and press) can't tell a 747 from a 737. Much ado over little."
ReplyDeleteDarn right!
"... line 1463 (RC604) VQ-BRH has been scheduled to return to KPAE from Pinal Airpark ..."
But how come they just sent VQ-BRJ there a few days ago:
http://kpae.blogspot.com/2013/08/paine-field-august-1.html
I'm guessing the contracts are detailed regarding delivery order. If I were Boeing I'd want the customer to take their frames in order of them being built as much as possible, so if the customer does bail on their order Boeing is left with the newest frames to resell. There have been exceptions but I think that usually falls on Boeing conceding due to specific issues, like not being able to get older frames ready in time (like Cathay's B-LJC and B-LJD).
Delete