Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Actually they ARE in deep doo-doo, both short-term (operational screw-ups) and long-term (strategic screw-ups)...
They only had money to develop ONE next-gen airplane...and they blew it on that gigantic white elephant wich appears to have niche-market value only. I suspect euro-pride had something to do with that decision, ie desire to have the biggest airplane
Their solution to the upper mid-range was to warm over the 330 and call it the 350...well the industry didn't want old technology and now they have to go back and actually develop a NEW airplane to compete $$$$$$$$$$
Massive design delays on the A400M, the 380 production debacle (with canx orders), and the need to re-design the 350 are the elements of a perfect storm...the EU won't let them go BK of course, but they are in a world of hurt.
The A320 serise is the only thing they have going for them, but it's old technology
Several major airlines (including AA) are already showing signs of bypassing A320/737 technology and waiting for the NEXT gen narrow-body...who's going to have the technology and experience to deliver that? The same folks who are bringing you the 787...
Everyone talks about how wonderful this 787 is going to be.... ill believe it when it fly's. All throughout the JSF program EVERYONE thought boeing was going to win, they had experiance and new cutting edge technology...... guess what they took to big of a leap, it all fell apart and the US government went with Lockheeds more conservative existing technology aproach.
And I do believe that this composite construction on the 787 was the same idea as their JSF, which failed horribably. All the problems with the Boeing JSF appeared right in the middle of assembly when they relized they tried to make to many technological jumps at once. So once the 787 is ready to fly then I will believe the hype.
Yes the 320 is starting to become out of date, but boeing is just catching up to that technology now. Airbus has begun research into a new narrow body aircraft, as has boeing.... both sides have said its not practicle until new engines are developed.
On a side note, lots of people critisize airbus for the "bandaid" solution of the original 350........ is that not EXACTLY what boeing did with the 737NG line...