Pontifications: Which airplanes are revolutionary or evolutionary?

Feb. 18, 2019, © Leeham News: Last week’s column about the revolutionary Boeing 747 prompted some Twitter interaction asking what other commercial airplanes might be considered “revolutionary.” I have my views. Let’s ask readers. There are also three… Read More

A380 launch aid in limbo at WTO, member states following program termination

Feb. 14, 2019, © Leeham News: Termination of the A380 program leaves unanswered Airbus’ obligation of outstanding launch aid from France and Germany. But apparently it removes any overhang of this aid in the long running trade dispute… Read More

Launching the NMA could mean new business model for Boeing

By Dan Catchpole Feb. 14, 2019, © Leeham News: Commercial aerospace’s super cycle is alive and well—and looks to keep going through the foreseeable future. Major suppliers and OEMs, and industry analysts at the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance… Read More

A simple solution to congested skies

By Dan Catchpole Danieljcatchpole[at]gmail[dot]com Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 14, 2019, ©. Leeham News: Flight delays cost the airline industry Traffic back ups are increasing–so much so that Airbus has invested in improving air traffic management to avoid congestion… Read More

Airbus ends the A380 program

Feb. 13, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus announced today (Seattle time, Feb. 14 in Toulouse) that it is terminating the A380 program. The last airplane will roll off the assembly line in 2021, for Emirates Airlines. Emirates cancelled… Read More

Boeing expects another banner year for customers

By Dan Catchpole Danieljcatchpole[at]gmail[dot]com Feb. 13, 2019, © Leeham News: Boeing Commercial Airplanes expects another banner year in 2019, Randy Tinseth, BCA vice president of marketing, said Tuesday at the PNAA conference. The airplane maker expects its customers… Read More

Supplier consolidation leading to unionization at some

By Bryan Corliss Feb. 12, 2019, © Leeham News: While Boeing is enjoying “labor peace” in its Northwest facilities, a couple of aerospace industry suppliers are in the midst of contract negotiations with the largest union representing aerospace… Read More

With CSeries, Airbus commands 78% of 100-150 seat sector

Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 11, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus acquired 50.01% of the Bombardier CSeries program last year. Boeing and Embraer Commercial Aviation received Brazilian government approval last month and now await a nearly-year long regulatory approval… Read More

Pontifications: The 747 revolutionized air travel

Feb. 11, 2019, © Leeham News: Few airplanes truly can be called revolutionary. Most are evolutionary. The Boeing 747 was one of those that falls into the former category. Just as the Boeing 707 revolutionized air travel, so… Read More

Boeing’s 777X analyzed, Part 3

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription Required Introduction February 07, 2019, © Leeham News: In our analysis series about the 777X, we have now come to the smaller member of the 777X, the 777-8. It’s what’s called a “cut and… Read More