Originally Posted by
Caveman
It seems as though Boeing can only do one thing at a time.
While Airbus was turning out development on multiple new concepts the last 15 years....what did Boeing do exactly besides the 787? Stretch a 73? Re-engine the 74?
They are 10 years behind, hope Boeing can catch up.
He makes a valid point. The 777 has largely been a success story from the beginning....which was in 1994. The 777-300ER was a successful growth of that record.
I was surprised by the developmental difficulties Boeing had with the 747-8, and 767 Tankers. Both had significant buffet and minor flutter problems...and they were just changes to mature designs. Neither one of these airplanes will crack 200 sales.
The 787 pushed some boundaries, and is now making successful inroads...but efforts to be cheap backfired.
By most accounts, the stretch 737s have taken the concept too far, with too many design compromises. (Ie, approach speeds/tail strikes).
Yes, the freight market is nearly all Boeing, and mostly 767s, 777s, and 747-400s....in other words, airplanes designed in the 1970s or 80s.
The only successful NEW airplane in the last ten years got off to a poor start.
And their best-seller is a 50-year-old design, with a cockpit frame that is 64 years old (Dash-80).