[wk4bush2004]

The A380 is not going to sell nearly as well as Airbus thinks it will. It's too big and most airports can't take it. I even have doubts if it will fly.

Boeing's strategy is much better---the 787 is the way to go.

Airbus has already sunk $12 billion and counting into the A380. If we can prevent them from getting the launch aid, then we can keep the A350 to a standstill and let the 787 gain momentum.

[Kenny Bunkport]

[Rokke]

Well, if it is anything like the test cruise of their nuclear carrier, I won't be surprised to hear the engines fell off shortly after takeoff. And we won't even mention the tail.

[speedy]

Wouldn't you just love to wait for your luggage from a full 555 seat flight?

[Yo-Yo]

Oh it'll fly alright. And it will be very successful on a select few long range routes where landing slots are at a premium and current flights are almost always full. Many Asia-U.S. routes come into play.

The A380 may be most successful, however, as a freighter.

[Jeff Head]

That's a big aircraft.

It will fly for sure...whether it will catch on and be usable at the world's airports is another thing. As I read it, they are trying to capure the major long haul market and working specifically with those airports.

We shall see.

[Jeff Head]

More:

[Jeff Head]

[gridlock]

APRIL 25: Airbus SAS, the world’s largest planemaker, on April 27 will conduct the first test flight of the double-decker A380, which will top Boeing Co’s 747 as the biggest passenger plane when the aircraft enters service in 2006.

That's what it's all about. Those 11 words. They have 12 Billion into this project, just so they can say those 11 words. That's over a Billion Dollars a word.

This is a typical government operation. Somebody gets a grandiose idea, and it just takes on a life of it's own. Until the money tap is shut off, the idea cannot die.

To pay off over 300 planes, Airbus will have to make $40,000,000 profit of each unit. List price is estimated at $230,000,000, so they are projecting to recover 17.5% on each and every aircraft to cover development costs. Actually more, since the much of the sunk cost was spent long ago, and will have to be repaid with interest.

[AmishDude]

I was thinking "spruce goose" too. I think it'll get off the ground, though.

[July 4th]

State aid for the A350 may not mean a damn bit of difference. The 787 has had some serious success over the past month, and it may be enough that - even with state aid - it just makes no sense for a competitor. The Air Canada order today was HUGE.

Airbus now needs to build a plane like the 787 that takes advantage of ALL of the benefits from composites. The A350 was only a half-measure. They need to get back to the drawing board on this, because the 777 and 787 will start to eat away market share pretty fast.

[southernnorthcarolina]

The view from inside the A380...