Rumors, rumors. That's all we seem to get regarding 747-8 orders right now:
- Emirates - Boeing says they're in sales talks with Emirates to sell them 747-8Is. I have a feeling that, like me being in relationship talks with Kate Upton, this is a one sided discussion.
- Asiana - They still fly 747-400 Converted Freighters, and four passenger 747s. While the passenger jets are most likely getting replaced by the "Big Boned" A380, they're reportedly in talks to replace the freighters with 747-8Fs.
- China Airlines - The Taiwanese national carrier is starting to retire their 747-400 fleet this year. They have 31 total active frames, including 18 freighters and 13 passenger frames (including the last 747-400 passenger frame, delivered in 2005 and not even ten years old yet). The passenger frames are being retired for 777s starting at the end of the year, and losing first class. However, they might still order some 747-8Is and Fs to replace some of their long haul fleet. A lot of their 400s, however, are very young (less than twelve years old), and they've already parked three other freighters at the twelve year mark, so my feelings on this are mixed.
- Centurion Air Cargo - They're expanding their fleet with 747-400Fs and supposedly some 747-8Fs
- Lufthansa - I'm hoping for a top up order soon, maybe around the delivery of line 1500. The only evidence I have for this postulation is A.) earlier rumors about a 20th frame back in the order books, and B.) some excitement has to be made of the 1500th 747 being delivered.
- Transaero - Still reported to be negotiating for four more 747-8Is (for a total of eight).
- Turkish - They've mentioned they're considering them before, and their relationship with Lufthansa gives me hope they'll order some 747-8Is after hearing how great they are from their German friends. Maybe they'll join in with Lufthansa on an announcement at the 1500th delivery ceremony. If it happens you'll call me brilliant!
- Delta - After the CEO downplayed four holers, the only hope is that he's bluffing for a lower price from Boeing.
- Etihad - They're still operating one 747-8F (via Atlas ACME) and they haven't said no to the 747-8I yet.
- United - United loses hundreds of millions every quarter anyway. Might as well buy a few 747-8I and fly them half empty! That was a joke!!
Lets crowdfund one and then turn it into a restaurant.
ReplyDelete300 million... that's only about 3 bucks per reader!
DeleteSo will it be Burgers OR Chinese Food?
ReplyDelete3rd Silkway's frame painted with Bermuda registration:
ReplyDeletehttp://paineairport.com/kpae10507.htm
I'm thinking that possibly could be the first frame, re-registered. The second frame is in storage, and there are still two unpainted freighters at KPAE, one of which would be this theoretical third Silkway frame. Developing...
DeleteYa, it is kind of unclear at the moment if it is a re-registration or one of the GECAS frames. I guess we need an up-to-date panorama or overview of the flightline, unless you have seen it today with the newly registered SW frame. :-)
DeleteFirst article (that I've seen) regarding the delivery of D-ABYP this weekend.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/06/27/boeings-1500th-747-not-your-mothers-jumbo-jet/11397925/
The article is decent, and contains links to a picture gallery that has a bunch of photos of inside the factory, as well as close ups of D-ABYP. He also talks to some LH execs, but that info is not in this article, so perhaps there will be another story.
There is also a link to a video in there that contains an interview with Eric Lindbald, as well as showing the factory at work! His answers give some of the usual information, but one thing that is different that I noted was that he talks specifically about interest in follow on orders from existing customers. That is on top of the usual ongoing sales campaigns that they always mention.
Was just making a post about these. Thanks for the headsup!
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