Boeing vs Airbus

[C]

like I said, its close then.
Airbus have said themselves it needs a complete redesign,

That may still happen with the Boeing yet...

[Mictheslik]

That may still happen with the Boeing yet...

There's always hope

.Mic

[Craig.]

That may still happen with the Boeing yet...

Boeing were smart enough to make their planes adaptable. They have already made some big changes with little disruption to the big picture,

[C]

Boeing were smart enough to make their planes adaptable. They have already made some big changes with little disruption to the big picture,

Until they decided to use an all new technique to make the 787... Which isn't going without any problems...

[Craig.]

Until they decided to use an all new technique to make the 787... Which isn't going without any problems...

In your profession you should know, new technology never works first time Or at least not when a bunch of men in suits with no more engineering experience than me with a set of lego blocks get hold of it.

[dcunning30]

Boeing were smart enough to make their planes adaptable. They have already made some big changes with little disruption to the big picture,

That's true.  They bowed out earliy on when they saw SST transports weren't money makers, as the Soviets and the British and French continued on with their SST's.  They also designed the 747 with cargo transportation in mind when they considered a finite market for passenger transportation.  Recall, they were forward thinking in that there's wasn't hardly the market to air cargo like there is now.  In both counts, they were spot on!

[C]

That's true.  They bowed out earliy on when they saw SST transports weren't money makers, as the Soviets and the British and French continued on with their SST's.

Did they forsee the oil crisis of the 70's then...

[Woodlouse2002]

What really counts is that with the A380 Airbus actually have a plane that can fly and is currently being produced to sell to several airlines that have brought them.

The 787 is still just pretty pictures and talk and even the new Beluga 747 designed to carry the parts is still only a drawing last I saw. As for the 747-800, thats even further behind the 787 aside from the fact that the base 747 is already around.

[Craig.]

right now woody, the A380 with its delays that keep popping up, it could be finally in service around the time of the 787

[Woodlouse2002]

Yes, but at least it's a real aeroplane. Not a drawing.

Especially not a drawing with a load of specs written underneath it designed to make people with money say "wow, that's going to blow all the competition right out the water!"

[Craig.]

it was though 15 years ago. Its taken them long enough. The 787 is now in full size section mock up. Should be an airframe ready to fly by the end of next year if I remember correctly, cant remember the in service date but I think its 2008/09. when you consider it was only last year this plane was designed, and all the new materials and construction methods, if they can get within this time frame it'll be an impressive feat.

[dcunning30]

Because a plane is a drawing with a load of specs at a particular snapshot in time does not mean it won't be a real airplane at another snapshot in time in the future.

Just like an airplane with a series of production setbacks during a particular snapshot in time doesn't mean it won't eventually deliver either.

[Nexus]

Craig, I'm actually looking more forward to the single aisle battle.  :)

Airbus has clearly won that battle considering their first single aisle airliner completely trounced the 737 classic, and Boeings 737 NG was still unable to beat it. That's quite a feat. Not just to beat 1 generation of aircrafts, but the next one, aswell.  :)

Work with the A32X and 737 replancements will be in full scale when Airbus is done with their A380/350 projects and Boeing has launched the 787 and 748/ cargo plane.
I think we'll see the next generation in around 10 years.

[born_2_fly]

I thought the 777-200LR holds the record for longest flight of a passenger aircraft....

But the A380 will NOT replace 742s, Boeings own 748 will replace those

Wouldn't be so sure about that. No aircraft is going to be 'replaced' with the A380, as no aircraft comes close to it ATM. Even the 748 won't be in the exact same league.

With the A350 however, no-one expects it to rock the aviation world, its just another twin medium-long haul heavy, nothing special. And yeah, Airbus scrambled to bash something out to compete with the 787, they were in much the same position as Boeing with the A320, the 737 NG never competed, and if you care to notice, only loyal boeing customers with a large 737 fleet are still buying. And even some of them are going to Airbus.

Think about Air Asia for example, they had all 737, and are moving to A320's. Also Spirit, and now US airways, they are getting rid of AW's old 737's.

So basically, don't hedge your bets on A or B at the moment.

Cheers,
Alex

And guys, dont go comparing the A380 to anything. There is nothing like it.

[Brett_Henderson]

I hope they're both around, successful and prosperous for a long time. If one ever did drive the other out of business... the airlines and ultimately the flying public would suffer. Competition is a good thing.