Boeing 2014 orders: 1,550 gross, 1,432 net

Update, 8:45am PST: Boeing sent us this breakout of 777 and 737 orders: 777-300ER: 49 777 Freighter: 14 777X: 220 737 MAX: 891 Original Post: Boeing received 1,550 gross orders and 1,432 net orders in 2014, one of… Read More

Turboprops’ future is OK but not great as ATR corners market

Subscription Required Introduction Jan. 5, 2015: Conventional wisdom suggests that turboprops are making a bit of a comeback because these remain far more efficient for routes up to 400 miles than jets, particularly at high fuel prices. Even… Read More

Odds and Ends: AirAsia 8501, PNAA Conference, FWIW

Jan. 2, 2014: AirAsia 8501: Our friend Geoff Thomas has an interesting commentary about the AirAsia 8501 story. Also, an Airbus A330 pilot for a major US airline, offered these observations about QZ8501. A Linkedin profile suggests this… Read More

Odds and Ends: Wrapping up 2014 in the news

Dec. 31, 2014, just under the wire: 2014 is over and there was some news unrelated to the loss of AirAsia flight 8501: Bombardier: The company received a firm order for 24 CRJ900s from an unidentified customer (we… Read More

AirAsia update, Dec. 30: Key questions in the investigation

Dec. 30, 2014: With the apparent discovery of the main wreckage of AirAsia Flt 8501 in about 100 ft of water, recovery of the airplane and its black boxes should be a relatively straight-forward operation. Our previous posts… Read More

Top 10 Leeham News stories of 2014

Dec. 30, 2014: This was a highly active news year. Airbus launched the A330neo and A321neoLR. Boeing firmed up more than 200 orders for the 777X. Emirates canceled 70 A350 orders, a record cancellation when no customer collapse… Read More

World’s dud airliners: a poll of your choices

Dec. 29, 2014: Now’s your chance to vote on what you think are the world’s dud airliners. Here are the parameters: Post World War II. A commercial airliner that entered service–not a prototype or a concept or a… Read More

Odds and Ends: Why radar tracking is insufficient; 787 and batteries; 777 Classic sales

Radar tracking: This story from the Financial Post in Canada explains why radar tracking of airliners is insufficient and a better way is necessary. This also explains why better, more accurate coverage can save the airline industry gobs… Read More

Airbus/Boeing duopoly single-aisle is safe well into 2030 decade

Subscription Required Introduction Dec. 28, 2014: Two challenges to the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in the 150-220 seat single-aisle sector move forward in development in 2015, but neither is in a position to be a threat for… Read More

AirAsia A320 disappears en route in bad weather, but weather won’t be only area of investigative focus

Dec. 28, 2014: Weather will be a prime area of focus by investigators of the disappearance of AirAsia flight QZ8501. The flight, an Airbus A320-200 manufactured in 2008 and powered by CFM 56 engines, deviated from its intended… Read More