Is the tide ready to turn for the Bombardier CSeries? Following a nine month delay, the CS100 Flight Test Vehicle #1 took to the air September 16. It’s flown only twice since and has been undergoing ground vibration… Read More
Posted on October 21, 2013 by Scott Hamilton
Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor. Allan McArtor believes there will always be a market for the Very Large Aircraft (VLA), but he’s not surprised Boeing cut the production rate of the 747-8. McArtor, who as chairman of Airbus… Read More
Posted on October 20, 2013 by Scott Hamilton
Russia’s Irkurt claims its MC-21 mainline jet, a direct competitor to the Airbus A320/321neo and Boeing 737-8/9 MAX, will be some 10% more economical. Irkut claims the MC-21 will be up to 23% more efficient than the current… Read More
The rivalry between Airbus and Boeing intensified in recent weeks with Airbus landing another major order from a previously exclusive Boeing customer, LionAir. Boeing announced another major order just a day later, Ryanair, retaining exclusivity with this customer…. Read More
Hawaiian commits to A321neo: Hawaiian Airlines has committed to the Airbus A321neo, contingent on new employees contracts setting rates for staffing the aircraft. The A321neos will be used on Hawaii-mainland services. This validates Airbus’ design of the 321neo… Read More
Posted on January 7, 2013 by Scott Hamilton
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
Posted on August 29, 2012 by Scott Hamilton
Reuters has this interesting story from Airbus and a focus on selling the A320ceo (Current Engine Option) to fill in production slots in 2015-17 (2013-14 slots are sold out) while waiting for the A320neo (New Engine Option) production… Read More
Posted on March 7, 2012 by Scott Hamilton
Aviation Week has an interesting story asking whether airframers truly listen to customers when designing airplanes. The question is not an idle one. Airbus and Boeing constantly say they do, but Airbus is getting loads of flak from… Read More
During yesterday’s tele-press conference by Boeing with a program update for the 737 MAX, 737 chief program engineer John Hamilton frequently said the MAX has a 7% operating cost advantage over the A320neo. He also touted the advantages… Read More
Posted on November 4, 2011 by Scott Hamilton
AeroTurboPower has an interesting piece looking at the fuel burn and cash costs of the 737-900ER vs the A320neo and A321neo. The post is noteworthy as an independent analysis to Airbus or Boeing. Boeing, of course, claims the… Read More
Posted on August 31, 2011 by Scott Hamilton