Odds and Ends: A320 Sharklet tests better than forecast; Emirates and A350-1000

Back to work: Airbus flight tests reveal that its Sharklet is one-half percent better on long-range operations than had been forecast. . The company revealed that the A320 Sharklet 4% better fuel burn than the current airplane on… Read More

United’s 787s delayed, but nobody is saying why

There appears to be a lot of focus on delays in delivering the next Boeing 787s to United Airlines–which has received one–but neither Boeing or United is saying what’s behind the delays. (Update, Dec. 1: one of the… Read More

Boeing & SPEEA: shifting work brings its own hazards–and costs

Boeing & SPEEA: As we routinely do when it comes to trying to understand rhetoric of two warring parties (usually Airbus and Boeing but in this case SPEEA and Boeing), we reach out to third parties. We asked… Read More

Is Boeing Chicago misreading the SPEEA mood–as it did IAM 751 in 2008?

There have been many articles this week detailing the increasingly contentious, evolving situation in the contract negotiations between Boeing and the engineers union, SPEEA. We’ve previously written that this wasn’t going to be a love-fest. And it isn’t…. Read More

Odds and Ends: Why aircraft are late; catching up to Boeing

Why Aircraft Are Late: Boeing 747-8, 787, Airbus A380, A400M, A350, Mitsubishi MRJ, Comac ARJ-21, Sukhoi Superjet and probably Comac C919, Bombardier CSeries and Irkut MS-21–all late. It’s the new normal. Ernie Arvai at AirInsight takes a look… Read More

The mid-size, twin-aisle battle

The mid-size twin-aisle battle While a plethora of new entrants are nipping at the heels of Airbus and Boeing in the single-aisle market, the battle in the twin-aisle segment is strictly between the two behemoths. The two OEMs… Read More

Albaugh retires, replaced by Ray Conner

Update: 8:00am PDT June 27: The Seattle Times has a detailed story, including indications why Albaugh chose to retire. Original Post: In shocking news, Boeing announced that Jim Albaugh is stepping down as CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes… Read More

Boeing comments on 787 delamination, delivery expectations

Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, today commented on the delamination issues on the 787 and the effect on deliveries and production going forward. He spoke at a JP Morgan conference. there are several stories that can… Read More

Boeing reports 2011 earnings, estimates for 2012: just 35-44 787 deliveries

Boeing reported its earnings for 2011 and its estimates for 2012, including delivery estimates for the 787–which were surprisingly low. Boeing forecast 70-85 787/747 deliveries this year, with half (35-44) being 787s. This is will below Wall Street… Read More

Readers’ vote: What’s the most momentous event of 2011?

What do you think was the most momentous event for the following companies in 2011? And what do you predict for 2012?