737 MAX vs A320 neo: The debate continues

Here’s the next round in the continuing debate. Bernstein Research published this chart detailing how Airbus and Boeing differ on the performance improvements they predict. There is, of course, no way to know who is correct until the… Read More

787 surge line delayed by rework; 787-9 to use this line in 2013; 787-10 launch all but certain

Boeing is delaying activating the 787 surge line in Everett (WA), while rework on the first 65 787s continues. Steve Trimble of Flight Global has this report. Meanwhile, Bernstein Research, in a note issued today, says the surge… Read More

Odds and Ends: Sharklets, CAPA analyzes the Middle East

A320 Sharklet: Jon Ostrower has a detailed piece about the wing work needed to retrofit the A320 with sharklets and some thoughts about what this means for the neo. Dubai Air Show: The Center for Asia-Pacific Aerospace (CAPA)… Read More

787 certification expected this week

Bloomberg News writes that 787 certification may come August 26. In a superb article giving a current assessment of the program, Bloomberg cites Bernstein Research as estimating the first 1,000 airplanes will cost an average of $116m each…. Read More

Bernstein assess 787 profitability

Bernstein Research issued a report today assessing the Boeing 787 program profitability. Highlights: It appears unlikely to us that Boeing will deliver a positive program gross margin over an initial accounting block of 1000 airplanes, if production inventory… Read More

Airbus affirms A350-800 future, but skeptics doubt it

Airbus confirmed at the Paris Air Show what we reported two weeks earlier, and that is the A350-1000 was going to be rescheduled to allow Rolls-Royce and Airbus to tweak the airplane for more power, longer range and… Read More

Moving toward 787 first flight

A bit of a controversy arose this week when Bernstein Research published a report following the media briefing on the 787 program in which Bernstein predicted a delay for entry-into-service (EIS) from 1Q10 to 2Q10; a six month… Read More