TR From UK - England, joined May 2001, 952 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1502 times:
I was wondering why CX ordered both types. In the 2 class configuration A330s have 44 Business and 270 Economy while B772s offer 45 Business and 291 Economy. I am sure that no (sane ) compagny would order two different types of aircraft from different manufactures because of ONE extra Business Class seat and 21 Economy seats! I know that CX was one of the airlines in Boeing 777 planning group which might be why a limited number of aircraft was ordered. But so was Qantas and that compagny never ordered the 777! So what is the reason as it make no sence from a cost-conscious point of view??
Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1278 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1455 times:
Moreover they are both of the medium range version so they should serve the same market (I think).
It would have had more sense to order A330-300 and B777-200ER or A330-200 and B777-200.
The Coachman From Australia, joined Apr 2001, 1411 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1335 times:
My theory is that CX were interested in the B777-300, which, after all, they were the launch customer for. To operate a decent-sized fleet and thus justify their inclusion in the CX fleet, IMHO, they decided to buy some B777-200's. They have 5(? - or is it 4?) -200's and 7 x -300's. That's a fleet of 12, which is fair enough given CX's total fleet is about 65 aircraft.
Now, the A330 is interesting. They announced the A330 order before the B777 one, and they originally wanted 10 with options for 10 more. They were going to be the launch customer for the RR Trent engined A330. Now, for long, thin routes, the A340 makes perfect sense in combination with the A330, especially when both models are the -300, which share the same fuselage, pilot ratings etc.
CX needed the B777-300 to replace their B747-200B and B747-300 aircraft. In fact, dare I say it, because of CX's requirements, the 773 is made the way it is, being part of the team etc. Boeing hadn't really offered the -200ER versions until CX was committed to the A340-300E.
My prediction for CX is that the B747-400 will be replaced by the A340-600, of which it is looking more likely it will be the launch customer if Virgin defers and the B777-300ER will also be ordered thus leaving them with 2 aircraft types (B777 family and A330/A340 family) and some of the lowest costs in the business. I think this dual A330/B772 philosophy will actually in the long-run bring more cost-savings to CX because both products have possible replacements for the 744.
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From UK - England, joined May 2001, 952 posts, 
) compagny would order two different types of aircraft from different manufactures because of ONE extra Business Class seat and 21 Economy seats! I know that CX was one of the airlines in Boeing 777 planning group which might be why a limited number of aircraft was ordered. But so was Qantas and that compagny never ordered the 777! So what is the reason as it make no sence from a cost-conscious point of view??
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