787 / A350

[North by Northwest]

Order should be announced by end of March...if not sooner!

 

[JFK777]

Nw decision brings more airplanes to the table then these two. Boeing would bring the 787, 777-200LR & the 777-300ER, different sizes for different missions flying up to 19 hours, DTW to Bangkok and anything in between; how much further does NW need to fly? All 3 work with the GE-90 or GENX engine. One engine family and only 2 engines per airplane.

Airbus brings the A350 and the A340-500/600. Why 4 engines when 2 will do the job? Then you have an Airbus A330 family with P&W engines and an A340/A350 with 2 or possibly 3 different engine combinations. More engines and different types, maintanence expense watch out. NW needs to buys airplanes from the countries it has always had ties to; Japan and the USA. The choice is obvious.

 

[Bigsky]

I would guess that NWA will be the launch customer for the A350. Eventually I could see them getting a handful of A380s to replace the B747-400s. NWA probably is going to be an all Airbus airline within a decade or two.

cheers

bigsky

 

[North by Northwest]

It is down to the 787/A350. The decision will be based on mission / performance / cost/ revenue. I personally have supream confidence in Northwest's engineers preferance.

 

[Bigsky]

NxNW. Agreed, I thnk the folks in engineering/marketing and the bean counters will all be adding their two cents in to the final decision. It does seem that as the largest US Airbus operator that the most logiclal decision would be to go with the A350. DO you know if it feasible to have pilots dual qualified on both the 330 and 350?

 

[Kev3188]

How much commonality will the A350 share with the rest of the "family?"

 

[Bigsky]

More info on the A350. As suspected, shares a common type rating with the A330.

Airbus A350

The Airbus A350 (Airbus response to the Boeing 787) is based on the A330, but with substantial improvements to boost range. It offers a maximum of operational commonality with the current A330/A340 line - including Common Type Rating with the A330.

New technologies used in the Airbus A350 are taken from other Airbus programs, mainly the A380. Airbus proven expertise in the development and application of composites and innovative new materials will be used to incorporate a high percentage of lightweight structural materials, such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and aluminum-lithium alloys. For example, the A350 wing will be largely manufactured using CFRP. Furthermore, the Airbus A350 wing will deliver exceptional low and high-speed efficiency thanks to cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques and the integration of ‘droop nose’ technology from the A380.

The Airbus A350 will further enhance Airbus’ reputation for providing the most comfortable long-range cabins in the sky, featuring solid-state lighting technology to enable maximum customization and passenger comfort, and full compatibility with the latest generation In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems. Cabin services will be controlled through the unique Airbus Cabin Intercommunication Data System (CIDS). Both versions of the aircraft may be fitted with spacious crew rest facilities for up to two pilots and eight cabin crew, facilities which have already proved successful on A340-500/-600 aircraft currently in service.

Airbus A350 time-line:

October 2004 - further information filtering through indicated that Airbus is planning two A350 variants, based on the fuselage lengths of the A330-200 (250 seats) and the A330-300 (295 seats).

December 10, 2004 - Airbus has received approval from its shareholders, EADS and BAE Systems to begin making firm commercial offers to launch customers for two new members of its wide-body Family.




Developing nation: Europe.
Manufacturer/designer: EADS - Airbus Industries.
Production line: Toulouse - Blagnac, France.
Type aircraft: Long-range airliner.
First flight: mid 2008.

First delivery: 2010.
Airbus A350-800
Cockpit crew: two pilots.
Passengers three class: 245.

Standard 2.24m x 3.17m pallets: 6.

Wing span: 60,3 m.
Fuselage length: 59 m.
Fuselage diameter: 5,64 m.
Height: 16,8 m.
Engines: - two General Electric GEnx 72A1 turbofans rated 311 kN.

- two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 is expected to be offered later.

Weight: - fuel: 150.000 Kg.

Max. take off weight: 237.000 Kg.
Max. speed: Mach 0.84.
Range: - max. range 15.900 km.



Airbus A350-900*
Passengers three class: 285.
Fuselage length: 63,6 m.
Height: 17,9 m.
Range: 13.900 Km.

From another article


The A350 is to be designed as a sister model to the A330, with similar flight deck and sharing the same pilot type rating, and, with a development budget of around four billion euro, is set to defy Boeing's high-tech 7E7 programme, which is costing twice as much. Assuming that there is sufficient customer interest, the A350 could enter service as early as the first six months of 2010.
* Generally similar to the Airbus

 

[North by Northwest]

Either will be a stellar addition to the fleet. I just assume fly across the planet in an A350 or a 787. For the A350 to incorporate the cutting edge tech. of the 380 is awsome. It goes with out saying that Boeing will create on of the finest most advanced flying ships ever with the 787. Northwest leaps ahead of the competition big time with either. Thank you my precious 9's.