Back on topic. I have a hard time choosing between Big Business in bed with the government, and unions in bed with the government.
It’s tough,why is the Federal Government involved at all?
“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.
