With the scheduled rollout of line 1496 (RC642) 4K-SW882 (tail number not confirmed) for Silk Way Airlines tonight, line 1500 (RC035) D-ABYP for Lufthansa should being final assembly imminently.
Of course this is just a stepping stone to line 3000.
Of course this is just a stepping stone to line 3000.
 |
| Line 1496. Photo by Matt Cawby. I want that banner. |
Any idea of the future Req. of Air China #1, routes? Seating?
ReplyDeleteAlso an interesting article.
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/the-truth-about-the-luxury-of-qatar-airways/
Well, the ATDB site still lists Transaero as having 8 current or planned. Perhaps something will be announced at the air show next week?
ReplyDeleteOne other interesting thing I found while browsing ATDB, it looks like Lufthansa has listed 20 747-8 current or planned again. Historically, it shows 21, so it seems that does reflect their previous cancellation of DABYE and then the (apparent) re-assignment of 1435 back to them.
Forgot the link: http://www.aerotransport.org/php/go.php?query=operator&qstring=Lufthansa&where=22264&luck=
ReplyDeleteInteresting that they show D-ABYV as being number 20 and no D-ABYE is listed. That really doesn't say they aren't taking 1435, but why would they skip D-ABYE and give it a new registration? With D-ABYE the registration for number 20 should be D-ABYU. How accurate is aerotransport.org?
DeleteCould have something to do with the type of refurb RC 021 was going to get, ie take it after the test program and get the standard as certified model or take it after PIP 1 and get all the mods for free. Mind you wouldn't that be a bit of a Frankenstein because RC 021 is an early bird and presumably its not at the correct as built weight straight from the floor like the new aircraft?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, D-ABYM went on a B2.
https://twitter.com/mattcawby/status/431165330648342529
Possible explanation, but I'd guess based off the early 787 refurbishment that refurb/rework wouldn't demand a new tail number. I would think that the new D-ABYV reg signifies they want a new frame, and not 1435. But that conflicts with some other evidence. Still hoping they take 1435.
DeleteI have my sincere doubts that they will unless the PIP excels in a profound way. If they cant sell it to LH, why not do what they did to those early build 787's and flog it off cheap? They should sell it to Air Canada, with a memo reminding them that this plane was actually designed to carry more than 400 people!!
DeleteI have an interesting theory about this RC 021 issue and the theory goes something like this:
DeleteWe know of the following announcements made:
~Project Ozark
~Further Weight reductions
~Continued Upgrades for the GEnx Engines.
At some point, these improvements will have to go to production.
Now what impact these have on performance has not been publicly released, so we wont know.
However, as a customer, one would be interested in these improvements and if one believes that the numbers collected during testing and development show a marked improvement, or maybe just 'a significant improvement' one would be interested to be in position to purchase the FIRST frame with all such improvements as standard. The usage of the the latest reg by LH (D-ABYV) may seem to suggest, that it is using its 'purchase rights' to secure the 1st of such Future aircraft, fitted with yet to be announced Improvement packages.
If this is the case then it makes more more sense to reject RC 021 as deliverable and replace it with an aircraft that will have significant advantages in terms of efficiency and range. What we might see in the future is RC 021 reemerging on the flight line to test these improvements even though we do not know what they are.
You have to remember that only Lufthansa has taken delivery of the 748I so far for commercial use, and if that is their investment, then it is in their interest to see continued improvements down the line. As for RC 021, if you look at it in this light, it may seem that she is already 'delivered' and working for the Airline that ordered her, just not in the way we would have liked to think.
I've speculated so much on this subject, I have more of a wait and see attitude now. I hope RC021 doesn't get relegated to a full time test machine.
DeleteSaudi Arabian are planning an RFP soon for 50 WB plus Narrowbody.
ReplyDeleteSaudia also took 2 748i from Atlas.
Also look at the no. of 744 they operate 17 airframes as pax and 7 cargo. For God's sake they even have 2 classics on the books.
Surely there is room for something here isn't there? Even if they don't go with Intercontinentals?
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DLH9923/history/20140206/2300Z/KPAE/EDDF
ReplyDeleteRC031 delivered.
Wonder If A Special Livery Is In Store For D-ABYP! So Excited To See Her!
ReplyDeleteThey have to acknowledge the milestone in some way or I'll be very disappointed.
DeleteInteresting. First time ( I believe) there are 4 Passenger 747-8s in final assembly at the same time.
ReplyDeleteyeah, and you can see starting around july there's going to be a long run of Internationals
DeleteIt is nice to see that the Boeing 747-8 aeroplanes are still in production.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed. Hope you enjoy the chart. Plane chart watching can be addictive!
Delete