Boeing and Airbus are the major players in the aircraft manufacturing community. Both have produced a number of aircraft models in recent years. Below are some very simple profiles of some of the more recent aircraft.
B787- Long range, mid-size, wide body and seats 210-290 passengers. It is currently in service. The big thing that separated this one from its predecessors is its fuel efficiency. Boeing claims it used 20% less fuel than other aircraft. It is also the first major airliner to utilize composite materials for most of its construction. Read more about the Boeing 787 on their website.
A380- Long range, double deck, wide body and seats 525-853. It is currently in service. It is a large aircraft and has more floor space than the 747. It was designed to break the monopoly Boeing had on the large aircraft market. Read more here.
B747-8- Long range, wide body, and seats 467-581 passengers. It was originally supposed to start deliver in October 2011 but was delayed. As a result of this delay, aircraft should begin delivery in 2012. It is the newest generation of the B747 family and is designed to fit a need in the community for an aircraft tat seats in the 400-500 range. Read more here.
A350-Long range, wide body, and will seat 270-350 passengers. It is currently in development. It is modeled after the A330. It is expected to be more fuel efficient than the B787 and enter service in 2014. Read more here.
Based on the current aircraft in the market and the status of the industry, It is my opinion that Boeing will take the lead in commercial jet manufacturing. I believe the industry is moving toward more frequent fights carrying fewer passengers. Boeing has a fuel efficient aircraft already on the market (not 2 years away) and has really targeted their production to smaller more efficient jets.
Comac is another manufacturer currently trying to make their debut in China. They are currently developing an aircraft due in 2016 called the C919. I do not think Comac will ever be a direct competitor with Boeing and Airbus. A big part of the aviation community is the public perception. Products coming from China do not have the best track record when it comes to safety. Also, When it comes right down to it, the aircraft currently produced and in development seat fewer aircraft than those produced by Airbus and Boeing.
Agreed on the public perception part regarding Chinese aircraft. I wouldn't want to fly on one, nor pilot one, personally. I'm a bit partial towards the US and other countries and are relatively opposed to Chinese aircraft only because it seems like -everything- comes from China. Their quality is poor, there's a lot of corruption, it's essentially the counterfeit-capital of the world, etc. Honestly, the last thing I want to hear about is multi-million dollar aircraft undercutting the domestic market. Free trade and all, -ok-, but I wonder if the US would actually allow American companies to purchase Chinese aircraft, considering Boeing is a golden-nugget of the US economy. They probably would in the short run, but in the long run, half a century (or a full century) from now, i'm not so sure.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the perception of Chinese aircraft. However, for the time being it is being manufactured with a large number of parts and systems from the U.S.-including engines, and from around the world. I have to wonder if this will better their public perception. At the same time though it is a little bit scary how much cheaper they can offer their aircraft than Boeing, Airbus, Canadair, and Embraer. This of course is probably due to them being a government, highly funded corporation.
ReplyDeleteI really love the track record comment. Reminded me of that cheap toy you get on christmas that breaks on the first try or that expensive pen that leaked ink all over. "ooops" says China. In rebuttal I would have to say it seems Boeing is taking China under its wing to help their American reputation. According to a Shenzhen Daily article Boeing has made some contracts with COMAC to make some of their aircraft components. As Americans we like our traditions, but can we compete when this industry is internationally based.
ReplyDeleteRead the referenced article at http://www.szdaily.com/content/2011-09/22/content_6073736.htm
Agree with you on COMAC, I don't believe COMAC will ever compete with Boeing and Airbus and if they do it will be along way down the road. COMAC is focusing more on smaller aircraft and turboprops. I agree with the Boeing, I think that now that 787 is out and working Boeing will take off again since they've been on hold the past 8 years figuring out the 787.
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