Boeing vs Airbus summary
Fallout starts for Boeing over 787 delays
In a departure from previous practice, Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed 12 orders for the A350-900, presently under development by Airbus and thought to rival, if not outshine, the B787 in terms of operating cost and performance.
Until now, it was considered almost impossible for Airbus to break the Boeing monopoly that they have enjoyed with Ethiopian Airlines, but the ongoing and further delays for the delivery of the B787 Dreamliner – now often dubbed “Boeing’s nightmare” – seems to have tipped the scales for ET to take steps to remedy the situation.
However, Boeing still got an order for 5 B777-200LR, presently the manufacturer’s largest twin-engine jet and a proven performer vis-a-vis the ageing B767s, which Ethiopian is keen to phase out to save on operating costs.
No information has been received yet from Kenya Airways, also wanting to replace their B767 fleet, on which way they intend to go over their delayed B787 order, but it is worth noticing that both airlines also operate approved maintenance organizations dedicated to Boeing aircraft, which would make a complete switch to Airbus models rather more challenging.
However, as Qatar’s CEO said last week, it is time for Boeing to get serious now or else “heads have to roll.”
No information could be obtained, however, about the fate of the Ethiopian Airlines order for the B787 – whether a formal cancellation notice had been issued, if the order had been deferred, or if the B777 order was a trade off between ET and Boeing.
Airbus has now sold just below 500 of their latest addition to their aircraft family, although the A350 has also been dogged with delays, although not as substantial as the one’s encountered by Boeing with their B787.
Comments
I think the latest A350 design is a sensible and intelligent choice.
It seats more than the 787 and not quite as much as the 777 - so its divided two markets.
A350 will have similar if not better performance than 787 but can seat more pax. A350 will be more technologically advanced than 777 and in the streached varient of A350-1000 it should have slightly less capacity than a 777 but with vastly improved performance and efficiencies.
Airbus are doing to Boeing what Boeing done to Airbus when the 777 was introduced over the A340.
Go Airbus!
Compare the A350-900 Airbus which we Might, see at the end of 2013, but no volume will be delivered prior to 2014 if everything...works...and flows well.
to the Boeing 787. Hundreds of 787's will be in the air prior to that time.
Problems, issues? yes, but it's composite construction, and even ventilation system, outshines anything that the Behemoth 380 has. Emirates couldnt fill their 380 out of JFK, so they moved it to Toronto (where it's not doing bad in peak season) but is as welcomed by locals as a local druggist welcomes a new Walmart SuperCenter.
The 787 is delayed, but it will be one of the most innovative planes of this century ! Worth the wait !
Ethiopian Airlines' purchase is signifigant for the reasons given, and highlights where their confidence is now placed (or rather, is not placed)
Correction about the a350 being "dogged by delays" - nothing of the sort has occurred. There are no signs yet of any of the same dreamliner-scale problems. There's still a fair chance the a350 will fly and be delivered on time!
The author seems to have been thinking of time spent on pre a350XWB designs? These are analogous to the concepts Boeing put forward prior to launching the 787 as we know it, and shouldn't be included when calculating program delays. If they were, these programs would regularly be delayed by 6-10 years!!
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