AC A340-500s almost a done deal

[High Iron]

J'ever notice that the two most common catch-phrases in business ( and this industry in particular are most often ( if not always ) overrated, overblown, and, just plain wrong?

1) "Big announcement". Intended purpose to make employees uneasy and thus more docile.

2) "It's a done deal". Wishful thinking under the guise of knowledge.

 

[hp-csr-phx]

Air Canada A340-500

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Air Canada A340-500

I can see Sandcastle taking out Rows 6 & 7 and put Economy seats in. The pitch in economy, shhhh, we'll keep that our secret, Sandcastle may just overlook it.

 

[nycbusdriver]

The Singapore version has seating of 64/117. Air Canada seats 42/225. Once the people in Tempe find out that there is a whopping 33 inches of pitch in coach, watch out for the US version that will seat 30/273.

Wrong! The US version will be 8/322.

Besides, getting those airplanes is not really going to happen. At least I won't believe it until US320Pilot says it is going to happen!

 

[PA18]

Oh please, tell me the entire pilot group is not going to bend over again for two shiny [used] airplanes....... :wacko:

I wish I could tell you that. But I'd probably be lying.

 

[slipnutwrench]

I have flown on Singapore Airlines A340-500's many times and with these aircraft they fly the longest non-stop routes in the world and in the history of air travel. EWR to SIA and SIA to EWR. Beautiful airplanes and they are the -500 is the longe range version. The -600 has more passenger capacity but cannot fly nearly as far. Nothing finer!! They make a 777 look like nothing.

Yea well I've seen an SIA A340 up on jacks in a hangar @ LAX. The landing gear came down on final no problem. Trouble occured when none of the landing gear doors opened!!!! What a mess!! Just imagine how much Airbus bent over SIA for the cost of all those composite landig gear doors?? So please don't compare any Boeing aircraft to a disposable, overrated, buy now (pay a lot for it later)easy terms, Airbus aircraft. Those Airbus prices sure look good on the bottom line from an accountants point of view.................that is for the first few years anyway. Don't worry, the bill is coming due at US Airways for all the 'buses we've had now awhile.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Getting the A340-500 may just be a stop gap plan till the A330-200's start coming online. Would make sense as not to let the international flights pass them by, if they are not already. 5-6 years ago US had more flights to Europe than CO, but now they are way ahead of US. Whatever they get, they will need two planes for each long haul route if they are gonna be over 11 hours. If they do DEL and TLV, that will be 4 planes, unless they operate 3x per week then they can get by on 1.

 

[delta777]

I have flown on Singapore Airlines A340-500's many times and with these aircraft they fly the longest non-stop routes in the world and in the history of air travel. EWR to SIA and SIA to EWR. Beautiful airplanes and they are the -500 is the longe range version. The -600 has more passenger capacity but cannot fly nearly as far. Nothing finer!! They make a 777 look like nothing.

While i may not be impartial, i don't think the new 777LR will "look like nothing" next to the A340-500. It will have a roomier cabin, due to the wider fuselage, and even more range than the -500, which is currently the longest range commercial airliner in the world. Still, the -500 would look damn nice in US Airways colors!

 

[High Iron]

Wrong! The US version will be 8/322.

Now THAT's funny!!

 

[Travelpro72]

YIKES! ! ! Those pics of the Air Canada A340-500 are horrible. All that green could gag a maggot. I sure hope they slipcover those seats with the new blue leather that makes your buttcrack sweat.

 

[SpinDoc]

WHATS UP MY FRIEND... THE RR ENG IS THE BEST. NOT LIKE THE PW THAT TAKES 1 OR SO QUARTS PER HR.

SpinDoc replies:

The RB211 on the B757 is an excellent engine. Why US did not purchase additional 757's with this engine when they had the chance, no one will ever know.

Yea well I've seen an SIA A340 up on jacks in a hangar @ LAX. The landing gear came down on final no problem. Trouble occured when none of the landing gear doors opened!!!! What a mess!! Just imagine how much Airbus bent over SIA for the cost of all those composite landig gear doors?? So please don't compare any Boeing aircraft to a disposable, overrated, buy now (pay a lot for it later)easy terms, Airbus aircraft. Those Airbus prices sure look good on the bottom line from an accountants point of view.................that is for the first few years anyway. Don't worry, the bill is coming due at US Airways for all the 'buses we've had now awhile.

SpinDoc replies:

Boeing offers a far superior airplane, but the initial ownership cost is higher than the Airbus. The only problem is, after the warranty runs out, the Airbus costs twice as much to repair and operate as a comparable Boeing product. Just like the EMB170/175/190 series, the Airbus is a throw away airplane. US will be lucky to get 20 years of service from the 319/20/21, and EMB170/190 before they have to be scrapped. A comparable Boeing can fly for 40 years.

 

[lpbrian]

I'm suprised USAirways would be interested in the A340-500; it's a gas guzzler. I'm sure they would have no problem finding them, as Thai, SIA and others are probably trying to unload them. Yes it's elegant looking, but impractical. In case anyone has not noticed, Airbus has not booked many orders for the A340 family lately.

 

[FlyDCJets]

I believe we still have A330-200's scheduled for delivery in 09 or 10,and A350's in 2013. However, neither Airbus or Boeing have any open new delivery positins for widebody aircraft now, so inorder to meet our international growth expansion, will need to aquire used aircraft.
Regards
DC

 

[luvn737s]

SpinDoc replies:

Just like the EMB170/175/190 series, the Airbus is a throw away airplane. US will be lucky to get 20 years of service from the 319/20/21, and EMB170/190 before they have to be scrapped. A comparable Boeing can fly for 40 years.

Why should US care? Let the leasing companies worry about how long they last.

 

[700UW]

It is called costs, overhaul, repair and replacement of the plane and its components, and down time.