Looking ahead to 2014

Here’s what to look for in 2014 in commercial aviation. Airbus A350 XWB: The high-profile A350 XWB program continues flight testing this year. Entry-into-service has been a sliding target. The program is running about 18 months behind original… Read More

2013 Year in Review: 787 grounding was the top story

We’re back from what we had planned as a holiday hiatus. This was interrupted by the IAM-Boeing 777X contract issue, of which we felt compelled to initiate some special posts. This leads off our 2013 Year in Review…. Read More

The deeper, longer term implications of IAM’s Boeing contract vote January 3

There are deeper, longer term implications for the January 3 vote by IAM 751 members on the revised contract proposal from Boeing than have been discussed in the public domain. Contract extension to 2024 brings “labor peace,” but… Read More

Assessing the Air Canada 737 order: factors that likely played a role

How did Boeing win the Air Canada mainline 150-200 seat jet order when only a couple of weeks ago Flight Global reported the Airbus won the deal? We, too, heard that Airbus seemed to be the favorite, but… Read More

Air Canada snubs Airbus, orders 737s; keeps some of Embraer portion open

Air Canada snubbed Airbus with its mainline jet fleet renewal and ordered up to 109 Boeing 737 MAXes. The initial order is for the 8 and 8 MAX, with the ability to swap for the 7 MAX. The… Read More

Odds and Ends: From EADS’ Investors’ Day; Illinois and 777X; Air Canada; LOT gets $33m from Boeing

From EADS’ Investors Day 1: Airbus parent EADS is having two days worth of briefings for aerospace analysts. Here’s initial news coverage from Day 1: Reuters: EADS strategy stresses Airbus Reuters: EADS IDs new dividend policy, A350 target… Read More

Key events Dec. 10-12: Boeing, EADS, Air Canada

There are some key events to follow today through Thursday: December 10: The Requests for Proposals for the site selection of the 777X are due into Boeing today. Media will be trying to find details, but Boeing certainly… Read More

Airbus, Boeing production backlogs stretch to late this decade, early next decade

Airbus and Boeing production backlogs stretch to late this decade and into the beginning of next decade for most of their commercial aircraft, based on today’s production rates. We previously wrote about the waning sales of the 777… Read More

Boeing in Puget Sound after the IAM 777X vote: bleak, unless something changes

With the rejection last week by the International Association of Machinists Local 751of the Boeing contract offer that would have located the 777X airplane assembly and wing production in Puget Sound (Seattle), the inevitable question arises: What is… Read More

DXB13 Day 1: Airbus scores big orders, Boeing launches 777X

From the Dubai Air Show, Day 1: Airbus Emirates orders 50 A380s Qatar orders A330s Qatar would buy A350-1000 stretch Etihad Orders A350, A320 Boeing 777 Launched: Boeing New Airplane; Montreal Gazette, reporting from Dubai Aviation Week: 787… Read More