Looking ahead to 2014

Here’s what to look for in 2014 in commercial aviation. Airbus A350 XWB: The high-profile A350 XWB program continues flight testing this year. Entry-into-service has been a sliding target. The program is running about 18 months behind original… Read More

Outsourcing focus of Boeing report, but misses bigger picture; IAM vote aftermath; Boeing’s 2013

A long article (10 pages when printed) discusses the pitfalls Boeing had by outsourcing so much work on the 787. This much is not new. The point the article raises–transferring technology and the potential decline of US aerospace… Read More

Qatar swaps A319neo to A320neo; just 29-39 orders remain

Qatar Airways has swapped its order for the A319neo in favor of the A320neo, leaving just 29-39 orders remaining for the smallest version of the neo family. Qatar became the first customer for the A319neo when it placed… Read More

Vote for the Top Commercial Aviation stories of 2013

This is self-explanatory. We’ll publish the results December 31. Feel free to nominate other stories in Reader Comments.

Odds and Ends: EMB, BBD split AA order; WTO on Airbus subsidies; IAM, Boeing bargaining; KC-46A

EMB, BBD split American order: Embraer took the lion’s share of the long-awaited order from American Airlines for regional jets. EMB won 60 firm orders and 90 options for the E-175 and Bombardier won 30+40 CRJ-900s. Flight Global… Read More

Assessing the Air Canada 737 order: factors that likely played a role

How did Boeing win the Air Canada mainline 150-200 seat jet order when only a couple of weeks ago Flight Global reported the Airbus won the deal? We, too, heard that Airbus seemed to be the favorite, but… Read More

Air Canada snubs Airbus, orders 737s; keeps some of Embraer portion open

Air Canada snubbed Airbus with its mainline jet fleet renewal and ordered up to 109 Boeing 737 MAXes. The initial order is for the 8 and 8 MAX, with the ability to swap for the 7 MAX. The… Read More

Odds and Ends: From EADS’ Investors’ Day; Illinois and 777X; Air Canada; LOT gets $33m from Boeing

From EADS’ Investors Day 1: Airbus parent EADS is having two days worth of briefings for aerospace analysts. Here’s initial news coverage from Day 1: Reuters: EADS strategy stresses Airbus Reuters: EADS IDs new dividend policy, A350 target… Read More

Key events Dec. 10-12: Boeing, EADS, Air Canada

There are some key events to follow today through Thursday: December 10: The Requests for Proposals for the site selection of the 777X are due into Boeing today. Media will be trying to find details, but Boeing certainly… Read More

Embraer E-Jets in focus

Embraer reported its third quarter earnings October 31 and disappointed the market with results that missed targets, resulting in a share price decline and some downgrades by analysts. Fewer commercial E-Jets and business jets were delivered than expected… Read More