A380 has “Lite” versions, too

The announcement by Airbus that it will offer Lite versions of the A330 and A350 families caused a much larger stir than we would have thought. As we previously noted, Boeing will offer a Lite version of the… Read More

Airbus seeks to increase Washington State supply business; aims for 13 A350s/mo

It was the first time that Airbus specifically participated in an event in Washington State exclusively designed to mate the fierce rival to Boeing with suppliers in a meeting intended to increase business opportunities in Boeing’s back yard…. Read More

Ethiopian 787 fire: the day after

Update, 12n PDT: The British Air Accident Investigation Board has issued its first press release. No apparent connection to the APU or batteries, but otherwise a standard we’re-working-on-it statement. Unrelated to Ethiopian: Fascinating animations of the Asiana Flt… Read More

Paris Air Show, Day 3: A320, 737 production rates of 50+ seen

Highlights from the show, as we see it: Boeing said the entry-in-service for the 737 MAX will be accelerated from the fourth quarter 2017 to the third quarter. Southwest Airlines of the USA is the first operator. Bloomberg… Read More

Paris Air Show Day 1

UBS has this easy-to-read Table of the orders and commitments announced on Day 1 of the Paris Air Show: The big news, of course, is the launch of the Embraer E-175/190/195 “E2” (second generation). The press release is… Read More

Airbus v Boeing on wide bodies

Airbus and Boeing don’t confine their comparisons to the A320 v 737. They are equally forthcoming in discussing the wide-body strategies. The pre-Paris Air Show briefings included contrasts in how Airbus and Boeing see the wide-body strategies. Airbus… Read More

Odds and Ends: A350 completes first flight-CSeries to come, with other program launches; passenger experience

A350 First Flight: given the time zone difference between Toulouse and Seattle, our readers are hours ahead of us in following first flight of the Airbus A350. As you could imagine, since it was overnight here, we weren’t… Read More

Odds and Ends: A350 pressures Boeing for 777X; the future of flight; FAA and 787; “one Boeing”

A350 Pressures Boeing: With the first flight of the Airbus A350 now scheduled for tomorrow (instead of today), Bloomberg News reports that the pressure is increased on Boeing to go forward with the 777X. The future of flight:… Read More

Odds and Ends: Evolution of the airline logo; Boeing 20 year forecast updated

Airline Logos: Mary Kirby posted this one. A bit off our usual beaten path, but we find this quite interesting. Speaking of airline logos: We just completed a series of flights on US Airways and asked in-flight and… Read More

Countdown to first flights for A350, CSeries

Lots of news stories as we countdown to first flight of the Airbus A350 and Bombardier CSeries. Airbus Eyes on A350: Wired A350 nears first flight: Wall Street Journal Taking on Boeing: AFP via Industry Week A350 flight… Read More