Spirit AeroSystems, the world’s largest aerostructures company

A feature report. By Bjorn Fehrm March 15, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: Spirit AeroSystems is the world’s largest aerostructures supplier, with main facilities in Wichita (KS). I visited Wichita early March and was given a guided tour of the… Read More

Boeing 737 MAX 10 analyzed

By Bjorn Fehrm Note: Boeing’s “soft launch” of the 737-10 MAX at the ISTAT conference in San Diego a week ago met with some sharp criticism by lessors and some others. Within hours, Boeing scheduled a conference call… Read More

Engine OEMs diverge on technology for next generation

March 7, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Representatives of the four major commercial engine manufacturers have divergent views of the next round of engine development, either for the Middle of the Market/New Mid-range Airplane (NMA) or New Small Airplanes… Read More

Boeing Services expansion wise, necessary move

Subscription Required Introduction March 6, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg wants the company to participate in the aftermarket aircraft services business and set a goal of $50bn in revenue in the coming years. He looks… Read More

Long-haul cost differences

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription Required Introduction March 2, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The single-aisle, long-haul operations are on the increase. The new re-engined Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX generations are good for destinations of up to 3,000… Read More

CSeries trans-Atlantic capability

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription Required Introduction February 23, 2017, © Leeham Co.: We previously described how new generation engines make the Boeing 737 MAX 8 a trans-Atlantic aircraft. The MAX 8 is smaller than the Airbus A321LR, but… Read More

Ryanair: cheapest and most profitable airline in Europe

By Bjorn Fehrm February 22, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: Ryanair is Europe’s airline with the lowest fares. And it’s the most profitable, despite growing faster than even the Middle East carriers (growth needs money). It’s time to dive deep… Read More

Pontifications: Boeing’s long-term message doesn’t resonate

Feb. 20, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing’s long-term messaging that all is well isn’t resonating with a number of industry analysts and observers. To be sure, today and in the short-term, Boeing’s stock is on a steady upward… Read More

Norwegian’s risky fleet expansion

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription Required Introduction February 15, 2017, © Leeham Co.: In our review of Norwegian Air Shuttle last week (Norwegian from now on), we pointed out the company’s relatively weak balance sheet. It’s considerably weaker than… Read More

Long, bitter history precedes union vote at Boeing Charleston today

Feb. 15, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing’s touch-labor workers at its 787 assembly plant in North Charleston (SC) will vote today on whether to become represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM). It’s a vote with huge… Read More