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US airlines prep plane orders; AMR said to be close
(Reuters) - An avalanche of airplane orders from the largest U.S. airlines may be on the way, with at least four major carriers in talks to buy fuel-efficient narrow-body planes to renew aging fleets. AMR Corp (AMR.N), parent of American Airlines, is further along in discussions and is eyeing a large order for more than 250 narrow-bodies valued at more than $15 billion to be split between Boeing Co (BA.N) and its European rival EADS (EAD.PA) unit Airbus, sources close to some of the talks said. (www.reuters.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
american flying airbus guess there not american anymore :P
If Boeing doesn't win this contract, they will be gone by 2020...
As long as Airbus and Boeing have a different cockpit and require not only a separate type rating but SIM or training time to qualify, there will be headache. Being a Boeing man, I can't see why an Airline would want to run a mixed fleet. That being said, Airbus has got an exceptionally clean cockpit, and Boeing is going to have to realize that there is some serious competition in town, in a place where they have dominated for decades. Airbus is too big for them to buy out, like they did MD.
Boeing needs to quickly adapt the engineering for the 787 into a single aisle version of the 737 adding on the new fuel efficient engines. Most of the bugs to this type of manufacturing have already been worked out and Boeing is well ahead in the wing technology.
One size will not fit all....they need four sizes with identical cockpits equivalent to the AirBus family but the largest in the 230-250 passenger category but extended range to allow international flights on routes without heavy traffic loads. (the current B752 with winglets can now reach about 4000 NM). Lighter materials and more efficient engines are likely to make this a reality rather than a wish.
One size will not fit all....they need four sizes with identical cockpits equivalent to the AirBus family but the largest in the 230-250 passenger category but extended range to allow international flights on routes without heavy traffic loads. (the current B752 with winglets can now reach about 4000 NM). Lighter materials and more efficient engines are likely to make this a reality rather than a wish.
John: that may just be what they are planning and waiting on getting the 787 put completly to bed before jumping into a new project. If they apply that knowledge on a NEW 737, they will blow the A320neo out of the water, not only with a superior product, but by beating the delivery by years, IF THEY'LL MOVE.They have a good product in the 767-777 series and in the new 747 series. I think some engine work on the 767-777 series will suffice on those. Question will be on a new 737 is the cockpit. Will it be fly by wire or like the rest. I understand that the 787 is fly by wire. It will be interesting to see where they go.
@Joe: American already flew Airbuses before 2009 (they got removed). It was the A300 back then. Highly advanced for its time. Boeing can't re-engine the 737 again. The ground clearance is too low, and both the PW1000G and the LEAP-X are too big for the 737 to handle, while the A320 can handle both easier. Boeing's best bet would be to make a cheap, short-range, 100 seat 787. (or if they want to make JAL & ANA happy, a 787 with a very short range, but high capacity)