Airbus A350 - Rival for 7E7

[No Smoking]

From: Commercial Aviation Today, 13 December 2004

Airbus Unveils A350

With approval from its shareholders, EADS and BAE Systems, to begin making firm commercial offers for its new Airbus A350 long-range twin-engined jet, Airbus on Friday unveiled formal details of its new model -- which it is dubbing "sisterships" to its A330s.

Due to enter service in the first half of 2010, Airbus says its A350 will complement the existing Airbus A330 and A340 product line. Offering a maximum of operational commonality with the current A330/A340 line-- including common type rating with the A330 -- the A350 will complement the A330-200 and -300 line, offering extended range in similar seating categories.

"The long range market is becoming more segmented in terms of size and range. Airbus has listened to its customers, who were interested in the medium-size category with greater range to complement their current Airbus widebody families," said Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard. "We are now in the unique position to satisfy all airlines’ demands in the long range sector, from the 250 seater to the high-capacity A380."

Airbus estimates the market for aircraft in the 250-300-seat category at some 3,100 new aircraft over the next 20 years, of which Airbus aims to get at least 50 percent.

The A350 will be offered in two versions. The A350-800 will typically seat 245 passengers in a long-range three-class configuration and have a range in excess of 8,600 nm/15,900 km. Seating 285 passengers in a similar configuration, the A350-900 will have a range of more than 7,500 nm/13,900 km.

The A350 was developed to deal with Boeing's proposed 7E7 model. As proposed, the 7E7-9 aligns with the A350-900, offering a three-class layout for 257 passengers and offering a range of 8,300 nm. Boeing's 7E7-8 is much smaller, with 217 passengers in a three-class layout and a range of 8,500 nm, while the proposed 7E7-3 stretch seats 289 passengers in a two-class layout but is optimized for just 3,500 nm.

Airbus says the A350 models will benefit from technologies, materials and manufacturing processes used on the A380, and will draw from composite wing design. Although eligible for a choice of engines, the initial A350s will be powered by two new-generation General Electric GEnx 72A1 engines, which are targeted at providing a double-digit improvement in fuel efficiency.

[Macdoo]

Well building on a proven product line should keep Airbus in front of Boeing who are having to build the 7E7 from scratch.
Hopefully a quick differences course will see us set for the future. I'm sure that Airbus will maintain their new dominance for a good while to come.

[No Smoking]

From: Commercial Aviation Today, 22 December 2004

Air Europa Becomes First Airbus A350 Customer

Airbus yesterday announced that Air Europa of Spain has become the first airline to commit to Airbus' new A350-800. Air Europa has signed a memorandum of understanding for 10 of the long-range aircraft, with options on an additional two. They are due to be delivered between 2010 and 2012.

Air Europa has selected GEnx engines from GE Aircraft Engines for the aircraft and will configure the aircraft in 300 to 330 seats. As part of Air Europa’s plans to renew and expand its current fleet in the interim, it has signed a contract to receive one A340-200 leased from Airbus in 2005 and intends to lease two new A330-200s in the spring of 2006.

"This commitment will without doubt be a key element in the complete renewal of the Air Europa wide-body fleet, making it one of the most modern fleet on the continent and allowing our company to continue with its growth strategy," stated Juan Jose Hidalgo, executive president of the Globalia Group and parent company of Air Europa.

The Airbus order will significantly expand Air Europa's long-haul fleet. The airline currently operates six Boeing 737-400s, 21 737-800s and five 767-300s.

[Obi-wan Kenobi]

And how many orders for the 7E7?

[No Smoking]

Boeing had a headstart on that one, so the gap is very wide at the moment. Remember Boeing lost out on the doubledecker program, because their experts didn't see much demand there. Instead, they opted for the 7E7 whilst Airbus went for the A380.

[No Smoking]

From: Commercial Aviation Today, 3 January 2005

Continental, Vietnam Airlines Order Boeing 7E7s

Boeing last week announced two end-of-year orders for the company's new long-range jet, the Boeing 7E7. Continental ordered 10 of the aircraft, along with developments for its 737 and 757 fleet, and Vietnam Airlines ordered an initial eight 7E7s.

Continental is the first major U.S. carrier to announce plans to acquire the 7E7, scheduled to enter service in 2008. Boeing and Continental Airlines announced an agreement calling for delivery of the 7E7-8s beginning in 2009. The 7E7 order, which will be finalized early this year, is valued at approximately $1.3 billion at list prices.

"The 7E7 is simply a game changer," said Gordon Bethune, Continental Airline's outgoing chairman and chief executive officer. "It will position Continental for significant international growth from our New York and Houston hubs over the next decade."

Under the terms of the agreement Continental also will lease eight Boeing 757-300s starting in 2005, and will accelerate the delivery of six Boeing 737-800s into 2006. The 757s will be delivered beginning in July.

Vietnam Airlines and Boeing announced that the airline will take four 7E7-8s during 2010. The value of the airplanes is estimated at $500 million at list prices.

Vietnam Airlines becomes the eighth announced customer for the 7E7, which was launched in April 2004 with an order of 50 airplanes by ANA of Japan. Customer announced orders and commitments for the 7E7 now total 126 airplanes, including 56 under firm contract.

Vietnam Airlines plans to use the 7E7-8 to expand its route system and to replace some existing airplanes. The airline has not made an engine selection.

I heard on the grape vine that First Choice have ordered the 787. I can't find anywhere official to clarify it though.

[Oxygen Thief]

From the Boeing website...

"Blue Panorama and First Choice Airways became the first European 787 Dreamliner customers in July 2004."

First choice bought 6 of them.

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/background.html

Thanks OT. I think they have snubbed RR and gone for the GE engine. Only time will tell I suppose.