Boeing vs Airbus

[Nexus]

Oh darn
How come I'm always the one who never gets it??
Never!

[Craig.]

Oh darn
How come I'm always the one who never gets it??
Never!

I think this whole thread is impossible to really take seriously anymore.

[Nexus]

Off topic and out of line - as always.  ;D
But what the hell....
At least we're consistent!

[jb2_86_uk]

I am english but, going aginst the trend in this thread, my loyalties stand firmly with boeing. they are a more established company and having all the facilities under one roof (metaphorically guys...) is a definate positive. Sure, Airbus' plants are scattered all over Europe - France, UK, Germany & Spain, which although good for the EU, is uneconomical and has lead to some serious design blunders. I cant find it anywhere on the net, but I remember a few years ago, some parts didnt fit correctly since, if i remember rightly, the designers were using different sets of tolerences on drawings in different countries. It wont happen again Im sure, but it does highlight the problems with manufacturing an aircraft in several countries. For this reason I think boeing have the bestter set-up

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

I believe the A340 holds the record for the longest non-stop passenger flight, Newark - Singapore. I read in a magazine that people paid several thousands of dollars just to be on the first flight, and then to return on the same plane on the return leg! crazy!

JB

[Nexus]

A380 had to get a new tailfin, it had a length error of 6mm
Could've happened anywhere with a  totally new production.

Boeing transports their 737 fuselages by train to the assembly line, for the record.

[Hagar]

I am english but, going aginst the trend in this thread, my loyalties stand firmly with boeing. they are a more established company and having all the facilities under one roof (metaphorically guys...) is a definate positive.

This hasn't been the case for a long time. Aircraft manufacture is global these days.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has shipped components for the 500th Boeing 777: the aft fuselage from its Hiroshima Machinery Works, and the tail fuselage and entry doors from its Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works. The company has been supplying Boeing with components for the 777 since 1993. The plane has been in service worldwide since 1995.

MHI participated in the 777's development as a risk-sharing partner in an international collaborative project also involving Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries.

Together the Japanese companies contribute a 21% share of the aircraft body, with MHI responsible for approximately 50% of the combined Japanese contribution. http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/myb/myb100.html

Boeing, Sukhoi, Ilyushin initiate regional jet feasibility study

22 June 2001

Boeing, Sukhoi Civil Aviation, and the Ilyushin Design Bureau have said they will begin a cooperative effort to determine the feasibility of jointly designing, manufacturing, certifying, marketing, selling and servicing a new regional jet for global operations.
http://defence-data.com/paris2001/pagepa1114.htm

[Mictheslik]

I believe the A340 holds the record for the longest non-stop passenger flight, Newark - Singapore. I read in a magazine that people paid several thousands of dollars just to be on the first flight, and then to return on the same plane on the return leg! crazy!

JB

I originally said that the A340 held the record, but a delve deep into the internet archives revealed that the Airbus intranet hasn't been updated for a long while and the 777-200LR has recently beaten it by an hour or so.  

Oh well

.Mic

[jb2_86_uk]

I stick by my opinion that Boeing is an 'in house' operation whereas Airbus is a collaberation between several countries. I appreciate that parts are brought in from other countries, such as electronics or hydraulic systems, but the majority of design, manufacturing and construction of the aircraft is done In the US. Whereas the components built for airbus in the UK, Spain and Germany are bits such as whole wing assemblies or entire fuselage sections! Which are then transported to France to be assembled along with the French built parts. The only advantages I can possibly see from this strategy are creating more jobs in the EU and strengthening the community as a whole. Does this out-weigh the very public blunders and economic costs of transporting these huge bits of aircraft thousands of miles across Europe?

[quote]


I originally said that the A340 held the record, but a delve deep into the internet archives revealed that the Airbus intranet hasn't been updated for a long while and the 777-200LR has recently beaten it by an hour or so.

[Chris_F]

Well, I'm an American, I work for a Brittish company with its fortunes tied (in part) to Airbus.  So what will win out, my nationalism or my pocket book?

I'm a Boeing guy, but not because Boeing is an American company.  I like Boeing because they are focusing their products away from the hubbing strategy and towards more direct to destination stuff.  In the long run I think this will be the strategy for airlines simply because customers don't like connecting flights (I know I don't).

Boeing is also the more "Lean" company of the two.  I, being a Lean Manufacturing guy, appreciate seeing things like the 737 assembly line, where they were able to cut their floorspace requirements in half while increasing production rates.  Keep that material flowing!

Also, I grew up hearing the word "Boeing", so there's a certain romantic connection that I just don't have to the term "Airbus".  To me, "Airbus" is just a company which makes flying busses.

Still, my financial success is tied in part to Airbus's financial success, so I wish them well.  As others have said, competition improves the breed.  And there are a ton of great things Airbus has done (although I'm not enamored by the A380 as I'm not a fan of hubbing).

Another Boeing plus: their aircraft come as default with FS9!

[Hagar]

I stick by my opinion that Boeing is an 'in house' operation whereas Airbus is a collaberation between several countries. I appreciate that parts are brought in from other countries, such as electronics or hydraulic systems, but the majority of design, manufacturing and construction of the aircraft is done In the US.

It's a lot more than a few components. Further to my previous comment I found this interesting article. Sums it all up really. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12652775/site/newsweek/

[quote]The ultimate manufacturing race

[C]

It's a lot more than a few components.

Indeed, most of the 787's major structures will be manufactured by foreign engineering companys and not by Boeing at all...

777-200LR has recently beaten it by an hour or so.  

...with a complement of 23 "passengers" who were from the press and Boeing...

[Mictheslik]

Another Boeing plus: their aircraft come as default with FS9!

That wouldn't have anything to do with Microsoft being American would it?

.Mic

[dcunning30]

That wouldn't have anything to do with Microsoft being American would it?

.Mic

Oh yea, Microsoft and Boeing are conspiring to jointly dominate the real-world and simulated aviation world!   Since Boeing needs a little help in it's world domination activities, I wouldn't be suprised if FSX ships without a stock Airbus.  

[Drake_TigerClaw]

Boeing, because a B-52 can beat up an AirBus. And its American.

[Nexus]

Boeing, because a B-52 can beat up an AirBus. And its American.

Ah, that's the most sophisticated answer today.