Friday, November 11, 2005

Imagine 12 Hours Flying Without a Drink

A Boeing 777-200LR has set a new world record - 12,000 miles non-stop - flying between Hong Kong and London-Heathrow, East-about. I think the record is for a twin engined aircraft. A fantastic feat and really takes the battle to Airbus. Someone has it right - either Boeing smaller more frequent and nimble or Airbus with their A380 megatruck. I'll back the Americans.

The twin engined aircraft will be able to fly non-stop London-Sydney or New York-Sydney. However it would have been a dry flight - the proving flight was for PIA (Pakistan International Airways) last time I looked, they served non-alcoholic drinks only in deference to their muslim tradition.

Cheers.
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are not carrying out a reasonable comparison - the competitors for the Boeing 777 are the Airbus A330 and A340 not the A380. Boeing does not have an equivalent to the A380.

SB

2:58 PM
Too Right and Having A Blast said...

I agree in part - my post was really at the generic level of comparing the strategy of Airbus with their efforts going into the A380, mega trunk hauler, and the Boeing diversification into smaller, direct links (and away from the B747 design which has worked well for 50 years). I think designs like the B777 LR and the B7E7 have a little more business subtlety.

3:55 PM
Anonymous said...

OK - but Airus has the A350 lined up as a B787 killer and they are now talking about scaling up the B747 to try and keep some of the market against the A380. I did not realise that they had sold 5000 A320 until checking Wiki. Also Airbus has 53,000 staff vs boeings 153,000 though that includes all the Mil stuff I suppose. Boeing got well caught out by Airbus so its interesting to see how good their response will be over the next few years. And the big question does the market slot Airbus are aiming at with the A380 actually exist!

SB

4:08 PM
Anonymous said...

I think Hong Kong to London would have been more like 18 hours, no?

4:53 PM
Too Right and Having A Blast said...

I think the issue is the aircraft is a twin - over a very long distance. Probably had jet stream with them - at least trans-pacific.

6:47 PM
Rob Good said...

I like 4 engines. The 747 has been around since 1969 which is 36 years not 50. Boeing has just approved the 747-800 or Advanced. It will be a competitor to the A380. I am not 100% on the A380. I am a bit weary of Airbus. The 777 is a great plane, but over that length of time, I feel more comfortable with 4 engines.

2:34 PM
Too Right and Having A Blast said...

Agree totally. I was refering to the design - I think the 747 started design in the 50's (as indeed was that other classic Concorde). B747 went into commercial operation in 1969 with PanAm. I agree with you as regards AirBus - never liked any of their their aircraft - can still images of the A320 flying gently into the forest on its maiden airshow (with a load of disabled childeren on board) and a nonchalant/nonplussed french driver in the left hand seat.

2:59 PM

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