If Boeing builds MAX 10, will customers come?

Subscription Required Introduction March 7, 2017, © Leeham Co.: If Boeing builds the 737-10, which appears increasingly likely, will customers come? This is always the multi-billion-dollar question for any aircraft and engine manufacturer. For Boeing, launching the 737-10… Read More

Pontifications: Boeing 737-9 roll-out–Nothing Special in the Air

March 6, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing rolls out its 737-9 MAX tomorrow. Last week, I received a call from one of the network/cable news organizations asking, What’s special about this airplane? The answer is: Nothing.

Pontifications: Alaska’s A321neo test drive

Feb. 13, 2017, © Leeham Co.: It was subtle, but it was there: Alaska Airlines will take the Airbus A321neo for a test drive. This will happen via its new sibling, Virgin America, which has 10 A321neos on… Read More

ATR targets Bombardier’s last stronghold: the USA

May 17, 2016, © Leeham Co.: ATR, the dominant manufacturer of turboprop airliners, last week undertook its first major marketing push in the USA in 10 years. The US has been the exclusive domain for passenger turboprop service… Read More

Alaska, Virgin confirm merger

April 4, 2016, (c) Leeham Co.: Alaska Air Group and Virgin America confirmed weekend reports that they reached a deal to merge. The replay of the Alaska webcast/conference call, with slide show, is here. Rationale includes what LNC outlined… Read More

Virgin America does have some attractive attributes

March 29, 2016, © Leeham Co.: A report that JetBlue and Alaska Airlines submitted bids to buy Virgin America spurs the thought: this isn’t as wacky as it appears on the surface. When news emerged last week that… Read More

Pontifications: Bad week for aerospace stocks

Feb. 1, 2016, © Leeham Co. Ouch. Boeing stock tanked about 10% last Wednesday when the company surprised analysts with unexpected news and below expectations 2016 guidance. Bombardier became a penny stock. What the heck happened?

Boeing earnings call: will Muilenburg be more forthcoming than McNerney?

See Scott Hamilton’s new column with Forbes on-line, It’s time for hard questions for Boeing. Jan. 26, 2016, © Leeham Co. Boeing’s earnings call tomorrow could have additional revelations about the 777 production rate and how its cash… Read More

Alaska Air’s brand refresh after 25 years

Jan. 25, 2016: Alaska Airlines announced its first rebranding in 25 years today, revealing a new livery and new logo font. The airline is in a fierce battle with Delta Air Lines, as the latter develops Seattle into… Read More

Pontifications: Qatar Air adds US service, US airlines ramp up whining

May 11, 2015: Qatar Airways is going to add service to three more US cities and the US airlines don’t like it. That’s too bad. We’ve heard this story before. First, it was the proposed deregulation of the… Read More