I am pretty much a dyed in the wool Boeing kind of guy. I worked on Boeing aircraft for years and as a student of aviation history I find the Boeing story fascinating. But there is no denying that AirBus also builds some great airplanes … and there is also (sadly) no denying the fact that Boeing really missed the boat on long-haul, high volume aircraft over the past 10 years. Boeing will quote you the party line that they are going to make all sorts of profit from the “Dreamliner” and their “new” features on the 747 lineup, but the term “whistling in the dark” leaps to mind.
The 787 Dreamliner is widely touted because of its speed … it will be faster than any other airliner. But Boeing’s current market leader, the 777 is the slowest of modern jets .. primarily because it attains its purchase cost and economy of operation lead by being under-powered. The 787 is pretty much a 777 with more plastic, fancier interior trim (which will never see airline service because it is pretty but not cheap) that has been given the power and hence the performance that th
e ‘econo-box” 777 lacks. And the hyped up 747-8? Folks, let’s face it … I love the 747 and it has been a fantastically good airplane, but the first one rolled out of the factory 30th September 1968. 1968 … what were you doing in 1968? Were you even a gleam in your daddy’s eye? This September 30th the 747 will be 39 years old! You can stuff in a new engine and reupholster the seats of a 1968 Ford Mustang too, but I doubt anyone world consider it competition for this.
Likewise, the A380 is going to revolutionize trans-ocean travel the way that the 747 did a lifetime ago. Fares will be cheaper … or at least hold the line against rising fuel prices, cabin comfort will be increased … more space and better appointments … and travel to the Philippines will benefit.
The first commercial flight of the A380 will be from Singapore to Sydney, Australia on October 25/26th. If you want to get on it, you can join the auction for first flight seats on www.ebay.ph . I’m eagerly awaiting the first Philippine A380 destination flights.
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You obviously know little or nothing about airplanes or the airline industry. Aerodynamic improvements over the last 39 have been very small, and all are incorporated on the new Boeing 747’s. But don’t write off the 747-800, Boeing’s latest model, as obsolete junk. It carries 467 passengers (just 22 fewer than the Emirates A380), and at 250 feet long and 64 feet tall, it’s not exactly tiny. It’s 11 percent more fuel efficient than the A380. The difference in speed among aircraft is marginal, efficiency, especially now that fuel prices are so high is where the Boeings shine, and the Airbuses flounder. Next is comfort. I know few people who prefer an Airbus over a Boeing. In fact the airplane you malign, the 787 (20% more fuel efficient than similar models), Forbes writes “According to Boeing, the 787 is the result of over a decade of focus groups and scientific studies to gain a better understanding of passenger comfort and how the design of airplane interiors can make flying a more pleasant experience. If Airbus made comparable efforts, we are hard-pressed to find the evidence.” I do a lot of air travel, and I cringe when I see it is on an Airbus.
And this is all from a company without huge government subsidies.
I could go on and on, but I think you better stick to writing about things you have a little knowledge about. I have no idea what that might be, but it certainly is not airplanes .
@Mike Planchak: Hello Mike. Wow, I must have rubbed anerve for you, eh? Lost money on your Boeing stock or something?
You’re entitled to your pinion, but you, nor no one else, is allowed to make comments like this one. I went ahead and let it go through so the rest of my readers can see for themselves just how rude and nasty some of the comments are here. Why, I don’t know.
I don’t know you, nor do I know anything about your background, but I do know you are absolutely unclear on the concept of attacking facts you feel may be in error rather than the person expressing them. The idea that you would come to my blog … my ‘home’ if you will, and tell me what I can and can’t write about is a bit much. I have been a pilot for more than 40 years now, I’ve been flying on tans-oceanic flights since the mid 1960′s, and I’ve even been part of the government source selection team for several Boeing contracts, so I think I know a little more than the average bear. But more importantly, no matter what I know, you have quite a nerve to come here and speak to me in that way. My prescription for you is, go start your own blog and hold yourself out for public review … you’ll find it an interesting expereince, although I hope you don’t get too many readers like yourself.
Good day, sir.