Posted on 11/12/2013 5:09:09 PM PST by mdittmar
“A little off topic. The new 777 is a replacement for the 747-400. Two engines and the same capacity.”
The replacement for the 747-400 is the 747-8i.
The new 777-X is Boeing’s answer to the A350-1000. Boeing tried to attack the 767-killer A330 with the long range 787. Both aircraft are 8-abreast seating but Airbus answered with the 9-abreast A350 right between the 8-abreast 787 and 777 with 10-abreast seating.
The 787 is a good aircraft for the Middle East carriers but to heavy for medium range operations. Operational Empty Weight (OEW) for A330-200 is lower than for B787-8 with nearly the same passenger capacity. An A330NEO would be a great challenge for the 787 on medium range operations.
Many airlines will replace their 747 with B777 or A350. Very few like Lufthansa selected the 747-8i. With the 777-9X so close to 747-8i Boeing killed its own product.
Back to the topic
The South Carolina plant does not so well:
http://home.foni.net/~kuttersegeln/aerostuff/deldateslog.png
(mind the logarithmic scale)
A skilled workforce is worth something. By shifting the entire 777-X production to somewhere else Boeing may add another product to the 7late7 series.
Well, that will surely put food on the table and a roof over your head.
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