Boeing needs to modernize.

[Gary R.]

I think Airbus has pulled ahead of Boeing mainly due to the fact that Boeing is too consersative to adapt as fully to all that technolgy had to offer and also due to the massive socialistic subsidies that the EU poors into Airbus Industries.  But, the fact does remain that Boeing needs to evolve its product line or else it will go the way of Douglas and Convair.  What a slap in the old American pride it would be if Airbus were ever to absorb Boeing the way Boeing did Douglas.  Boeing rested way too long on it's laurels and and a product line that is 15 plus years old.  Yes, even older than that discounting the 777.  They need to incorporate advance possible into the 7E7.  Hopefully for Boeing, the basic 7E7 airframe will lend itself well to up-sizing so as to give Boeing a product with the Airbus advantage of carrying the same type rating for all variations of the 7E7.  That is a huge convenience for both airlines and pilots and Airbus enjoys the same from the A-310 through the A330.  Boeings only two shared type rating are the 767/757.  Boeing also might want to consider a totally reworked version of the 747 possibly to include a full length second deck.  The Sonic cruiseer project also would have been worthwhile for them to pursue because any plane that could offer 20% faster oceanic crossings for the same economy as a standard airliner would be a hot commodity indeed.  Either way, Boeing needs to impliment the engine management, fly-by wire, and avionics suite available and standardize all their cockpit layouts as much as possible.  And, they need to do all this and still out prive Airbus.  Maybe then they might regain number one.

[ozzy72]

I wouldn't say that Gary, its just Boeing have been working harder on their short-haul market of late, whereas Airbus are pushing for bigger, cheaper long-haul flights.
Both the 7E7 and the A380 are class leaders, it'll be interesting to see who buys whats...

Ozzy

[Hagar]

As I've said before, competition is good for the industry & customer alike. It's not healthy for one company in any line of business to be top of the pile for too long. Monopolies can easily get complacent & careless which inevitably leads to mistakes. A little competition keeps people on their toes.

[Craig.]

The 777 is fly by wire and is at the top of technological tree right now. Dont be fooled by the roll out of the A380, that Boeing is behind or in trouble because they arnt. The 7E7 will blow everything out of the water in terms of how advanced it will be. Boeing are not worried about the comminality aspect that airbus have, its not the huge deal that its made out to be. The sonic cruiser was too expensive and inefficient. The 747 is being looking into for redevelopment, but no full 2nd deck, again really not worth it, bigger isnt always better. Everyone seems to think this A380 is like a new god in the sky, how it will bring about a change, they forget to mention, that few airports are ready for it, costing millions in upgrades.

[chomp_rock]

And not to mention, not a single one of the worlds top 5 largest airlines have ordered the A380!

[Craig.]

whos the top 5? i thought virgin would have been in there same for air france who have.

[Nexus]

And not to mention, not a single one of the worlds top 5 largest airlines have ordered the A380!

Not really strange, since those usually have the most modern fleets, but wait maybe 7-10 years and I think even they will follow  :)
And besides that doesn't mean anything, just read the history of the 737...  :)

Craig, can you give me a COMPLETE list of the 7E7's features that will supposedly blow everything else away? I hope you aren't fooled by those bleedless engines  :)

[eno]

There's alredy some big hitters in the running for buying the A380. Virgin are buying 6.. Quantas and Singapore airlines are buying and several others have expressed interest.

[Craig.]

new electrical systems, new cockpit systems, its hard to give a list as it isnt finalised. I go on what they are giving in their reports. the full composite materials for the body, new wings. Remember with the bleedless engines they have to completely redesign everything that it will power.

[chomp_rock]

whos the top 5? i thought virgin would have been in there same for air france who have.

The top 5 are Delta, American, United, Northwest and US Airways.

[Craig.]

USAir? A company who if it wernt for the government loan would no longer be flying today. Sorry i am sure your right but i would have bet air france would have been above USair.

[Nexus]

Yeah, that kinda surprised me aswell?  :)

[beefhole]

Ugh, USAir, don't remind me

[Hagar]

And not to mention, not a single one of the worlds top 5 largest airlines have ordered the A380!

Hardly surprising if these are US owned airlines.

[Woodlouse2002]

And not to mention, not a single one of the worlds top 5 largest airlines have ordered the A380!

I think the fact that the top five largest airlines are all american has something to do with that. America is hardly famous for choosing european goods over their own.

Edit: I see Hagar was quicker on the button than I.