Airbus cuts production of A380 by more than 50%

[Ripsnort]

I don't know if you guys can recall the conversations we had about 10 years ago regarding the A380 and the market direction Airbus was taking, and the 787 and the market direction Boeing was taking.

It appears Boeing was better at predicting what the future would hold for the future needs of the airline business. Mind you, Boeing has STILL not earned one dime from the 787 as of yet, but there is certainly no foreseeable cuts in production.

At this discussion some 10+ years ago, we discussed how these two model really don't compete against each other (and that is true) however Boeing never really answered the A380 challenge with the exception of upgrading the 747-8 at a low cost out of pocket, which it never did sell a lot of.

Today there are all sorts of competitors in the market, Bombardia, Embraer , China has a hat in the game, and even Japan is in the game with a 737-competing design.

This year's Paris Airshow hasn't set any ground breaking jet orders as it has in the past for Boeing and Airbus. Airbus tends to get more orders at the air show year in and year out consistently.

[JunkyII]

I'm looking forward to seeing where they go with buffering sonic booms in the next few years....would be cool to be able to fly to London from DC in a little over an hour.....without giving people heart attacks like concorde did

Anyone here ever fly concorde??? Wish I was old enough to experience that.

[Spikes]

The A380 is a marvel, however it just does not fit the needs of the market today. The A380 was released at the very end of a time where bigger was better, now with more and more fuel efficient options out there, those companies would rather go smaller it seems.

[Ripsnort]

The A380 is a marvel, however it just does not fit the needs of the market today. The A380 was released at the very end of a time where bigger was better, now with more and more fuel efficient options out there, those companies would rather go smaller it seems.

I agree with this summary. Boeing thought the same in 2004-2006. They really believed planes this size had 'seen their day' thus the direction they went with 787.

[wil3ur]

BREXIT!


 

[Zimme83]

I agree with this summary. Boeing thought the same in 2004-2006. They really believed planes this size had 'seen their day' thus the direction they went with 787.

I do not agree with you here, yes - Boeing built the 787 but they also built the 747-8 and are planning to build a larger 777 so Boeing is definitely into the larger aircraft market too. Airbus on the other hand is pushing hard in the mid wide body segment with both the 350 and an upgraded 330. This is the biggest segment and that why both Boeing and Airbus is putting the most effort there. A380 has a very small market and was more of a prestige project but it was no disaster, it has sold enough to bring the money back to the company and was also important for Airbus in order to learn how to build a composite aircraft.

[Ripsnort]

I mentioned above that Boeing did build the -8 for low cost, but again, there isn't much of a market out there. It still fell short of the super jumbo market that the A380 and Airbus thought the industry would go after.

After all, Jumbo's used to be Boeings bread and butter.

now the 777 is going to be stretched, but only under the seating plan of the 747-8 (which may eventually be freighter only or retired). I just saw a one hour presentation in our LEAP training last Friday by our director in product development for BCA. I am well aware what their plans are, unfortunately I can't share all of it. I would sure like to.

One thing Boeing has been good at since Donald Douglas killed the Model 247 with his DC-1, Boeing is good at forecasting what customer trends are (within the airline)

This much I can share with you since its public information:

Boeing aligned better than Airbus for future
https://leehamnews.com/2012/07/06/boeings-twin-aisle-product-strategy-provides-better-segment-coverage-than-airbus/

[Ripsnort]

Oh and 2 days early, Happy Birthday Boeing!
100 years!
I'll actually be in the air on one of the Classic Boeing planes (first envisioned in 1964, first flew in 1967, and is it's best seller today....the 737)on Friday so I'm dropping my Happy Birthday early!

[Zimme83]

A stretched 777 in the size of a 747-8 has a much greater potential of finding costumers, 2 Engines less means significantly lower cost.

What i miss in the Boeing lineup is a compeditor to the 321 NEO, they also have a Little hole were the 787-10 should have been. they have on the other hand a firm grip of the freighter market and the 777-300 is the king of the "Twin jumbos" so far. But overall both companies should have a Bright future with their new generation of Aircrafts.

[Zimme83]

I mentioned above that Boeing did build the -8 for low cost, but again, there isn't much of a market out there. It still fell short of the super jumbo market that the A380 and Airbus thought the industry would go after.

After all, Jumbo's used to be Boeings bread and butter.

now the 777 is going to be stretched, but only under the seating plan of the 747-8 (which may eventually be freighter only or retired). I just saw a one hour presentation in our LEAP training last Friday by our director in product development for BCA. I am well aware what their plans are, unfortunately I can't share all of it. I would sure like to.

One thing Boeing has been good at since Donald Douglas killed the Model 247 with his DC-1, Boeing is good at forecasting what customer trends are (within the airline)

This much I can share with you since its public information:

Boeing aligned better than Airbus for future
https://leehamnews.com/2012/07/06/boeings-twin-aisle-product-strategy-provides-better-segment-coverage-than-airbus/

(Image removed from quote.)

Although the 747-8i will most likely be out of the lineup soon, 40 of 51 ordered plane are delivered and they cannot go on like that for long.