A380 Vs 787e

[britmaveric]

ONE IS BIG AND FAT with all the polish of a portly dowager. Critics describe her as a “dinosaur”. The other is sleek and quick, and capable of long outings, but derided as incontrovertibly “plastic”. Who would you pick for a snog or, in this case, a transpacific flight? With the successful rollout of the Airbus A-380 behemoth, the gloves have come off as Boeing cries foul and prepares for the arrival of its very own B-787 “Dreamliner”.

http://www.smarttravelasia.com/AirbusVsBoeing.htm

Interesting read for those curious about both planes.

[cdnvic]

There seems to be alot of knives out for the A380. Horror stories about airports being swamped when one lands and offloads it's passengers (same effect as when two 767s land), and if its an airport that can't handle two 767s at once no airline is going to send an A380 anywhere near there.

The A380 will do well, and at the expense of 747s who are nearing retirement. Boeing is belatedly trying to play catch up with its new version of the 747.

The 787 will also do well, as there are hundreds of 767s due for retirement soon, and the dreamliner's reletively cheap $125million US price tage makes it about half the cost of a 777 or 747.

I see both doing transpacific routes, with the size of the hubs determining which one you get. LAX-Bkk wiil probably get A380s where SEA-Bkk will more likely get 787s.

I'm not taking sides, I'm looking forward to both.

cv

[britmaveric]

Most likely have more chance riding the 787E don't thing any of the yanks airliners have bought any a380(s) yet.

Boeings had high orders from Asia for the 787E especially China, so you most likely are correct with that theory.

[Sir Burr]

These two planes are not in competition with each other. They are designed for different routes and uses. Both will do well.

[Sir Burr]

don't thing any of the yanks airliners have bought any a380(s) yet.

That's because the A380 is only viable for international flights. The US airlines that do fly international, like AA, United, Delta, NW Orient are either just coming out of Chapter 11 bancruptcy, or are broke because of their huge under-funded pension obligations.

[lomatopo]

Airbus have announced the A350 to compete with the 787.

Airbus is pushing the concept of the A380 on short, fat routes. Note that there a lot of intra-country (Japan, China, India) high-density routes serviced with large aircraft.

Some American carriers do have high-ish density international routes (UA: SFO/LAX-SYD, ALL: nnn-LHR, nnn-NRT) where the A380 might be applicable, but the investment in deploying a new aircraft ( training, pilot certification, maintenence, etc.) might not be justifiable for a fleet size less than, say, ten total aircraft?

I've got no knives out for the A380, I think it will be ultimately successful, but it will not be able to fly BKK-LAX direct, non-stop. About the only thing that could possibly put a crimp in forecasted demand for air travel would be some sort of cataclysmic event?

[cdnvic]

I wonder if Airbus will ever come out with a shortened version like Boeing did when they chopped the 747-100 into the 747SP. The lighter, less draggy aircraft got longer range, while still carrying more passengers than its rivals. If Airbus does the same you could have an aircraft with 747-400 capacity, but A340-500 range. That IMO would be a much better idea than the 800-1000 seat stretch version.

cv

[chanchao]

With the A380 being double deck all the way I wonder if it's as straightforward as with the 747-100 (VERY short upper deck) to just chop some length off and actually improve drag/range.. Chances are you just end up with something blimp-like.

[britmaveric]

The photos of the 787E inside look really nice, so does the A380. I agree it will be a win win situation all around.

Still waiting for the teleporter though!!!

Edited November 17, 2005 by britmaveric

[think_too_mut]

Airbus have announced the A350 to compete with the 787.

Airbus is pushing the concept of the A380 on short, fat routes. Note that there a lot of intra-country (Japan, China, India) high-density routes serviced with large aircraft.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's for local routes, with the seats made for average Japanese or Chinese or Indian bodies.

Thai had the contractrors who made the seats (for their 767s) but had to replace them all. Too many complaints.

[cdnvic]

With a range of 14,800km, I'd hardly call it a short range aircraft. Thats 600km longer than the longest range 747 out there.

cv

[flightcrew1]

The photos of the 787E inside look really nice, so does the A380. I agree it will be a win win situation all around.

Still waiting for the teleporter though!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Photos look great yes. But you can bet your bottom dollar that upon delivery to the the airlines that buy or lease them they will not look like that. Being a flight attendant for over 20 years I laugh when I see see these mock ups with lounge areas and wide economy seating. Remember it's all about making money and squeezing as many seats as possible on to the aircraft. Sure Business will be very comfortable and First very plush but it is now. Remember the majority of you travel economy so comfort level will remain the same.

[socalbro]

I read an article saying that the A380 may have things such as small restaurants, internet shops and the frightening thought on an on board casino.

Just what I need - lose all my ###### money before even arriving at my destination. At least with a plane this size I should manage to catch the next flight home at least...although the wife may not be thrilled me at that point.

And certainly I could win back all my money on the way back home...right?

[OZONE]

The photos of the 787E inside look really nice, so does the A380. I agree it will be a win win situation all around.

Still waiting for the teleporter though!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Photos look great yes. But you can bet your bottom dollar that upon delivery to the the airlines that buy or lease them they will not look like that. Being a flight attendant for over 20 years I laugh when I see see these mock ups with lounge areas and wide economy seating. Remember it's all about making money and squeezing as many seats as possible on to the aircraft. Sure Business will be very comfortable and First very plush but it is now. Remember the majority of you travel economy so comfort level will remain the same.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

any advice on where I can see both plane inside & out?

[Levent]

Airbus' big advantage is that the cockpit layout on all airliners is so similar, that pilots need only minimum conversion training to fly another type. Mainly for getting used to the different size and weight of the plane, and handling systems for four engines instead of two for example.

I saw the A380 fly at the Paris Air Show this year; it's a remarkable plane and I wish Airbus all the best in getting succesful with it. Also I wish Boeing all the best with the 787, and I am looking forward to fly on both.

As an aviation enthusiast, the introduction of any new airplane is a major event for me.

[cdnvic]

any advice on where I can see both plane inside & out?

Go to the photo search engine at http://www.airliners.net/ you can pick all different kinds of views, cabin, cockpit, air to air, etc.

cv