Special Dreamliner Announcement Tomorrow (3Apr07)

Lumberton · Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:57 am

Just out on Bloomberg. 10:00AM in Seattle.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...=conews&tkr=BA:US&sid=afrXMl6ZaHn0

What could it be? A delay? An order? Upping the production rate?

ordpia · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:02 am

order or upping the production rate seem most likely, any sort of a delay would normally be released on a friday as to mitigate its effect on stock price. The relaese talks about a photo op so perhaps they are showing off a new piece of the frame

Badge · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:12 am

That they broke the 500 mark

squad55 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:14 am

And if it was a delay, it wouldn't be a "special' announcement.....

Thorny · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:17 am

Official announcement of 787-10?

SEPilot · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:20 am

Maybe they've already assembled the first one and kept it secret (OK, April fools was yesterday...)
Big grin

imapilotaz · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:21 am

My money is on 787-10 and order for 787-10. They wouldnt have a photo op with "AA's Top Execs" for a big order, they would do a press conference in DFW, not in Everrett. You'd have a photo op with a mockup of the 787-10 and Bair.

CJAContinental · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:25 am

Quoting ORDPIA (Reply 1):
The relaese talks about a photo op so perhaps they are showing off a new piece of the frame

Hopefully

Quoting Badge (Reply 2):
That they broke the 500 mark

Probably

Quoting Squad55 (Reply 3):
Official announcement of 787-10

Quoting Imapilotaz (Reply 6):
My money is on 787-10 and order for 787-10

Unlikely

siromega · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:27 am

$20 on the 500 mark. I still expect the -10 at Paris in June, rollout in July, first flight in August.

aa1818 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:28 am

Quoting Thorny (Reply 4):
Official announcement of 787-10?

Somehow I think Boeing would attempt to drum up more rumours about that- like leaking potential customers etc. They've been quite quiet recently.

I suspect they have a new customer that is breaing the 500 mark and have reached another landmark in the production process such as joining two barells together or something!!!

AA1818

Stitch · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:38 am

Have the Dreamlifters moved anything from Spirit, yet? If so, I imagine it will be #001's fuselage (or a good portion of it) along with an announcement of the 500th confirmed order.

I too do not believe the 787-10 will be launched until Paris - though only if they have a nice orderbook - to counter QR's large A350XWB order.

BlueShamu330s · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:45 am

They're going to ditch the 744BCF in favour of Fed-Ex's cancelled A380F order to haul components around.

Oh, sorry, has April 1st passed already .....? stirthepot

Shamu

BOE773 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:48 am

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 5):

Or, they have already test flown one out of Dreamland, Area 51, and are ready to fly it into Paine Field.
After all, we have the Dreamliner and now the Dreamlifter.........so lets keep on dreaming big things.

CJAContinental · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:51 am

3 hours ago, but this could well have something to do with tommorows announcement:

http://www.e-composites.com/frontend/newspage.aspx?sno=3720

BlueShamu330s · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:54 am

Quoting BOE773 (Reply 12):
Or, they have already test flown one out of Dreamland, Area 51, and are ready to fly it into Paine Field.
After all, we have the Dreamliner and now the Dreamlifter.........so lets keep on dreaming big things.

For some on here, that might result in a wetDream, and not necessarily from a big thing !!! mischievous

Ok, I'll get my coat.................. shy

Shamu

sebring · Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:03 am

I'll bet on upping the production rate and here's why: Air Canada has a big 787 order in already, 14 firm, 46 options, first deliveries in 2010, but it has been agitating for earlier deliveries and plans to convert options to firm orders. I was told on the weekend at the 777-300ER delivery event in Montreal that the airline would have some significant news this week, "as early as Monday". Okay, nothing today so tomorrow still fits the profile. I assumed that whatever news they were going to announce, it wasn't entirely within their control. So just for kicks, I will assume it has to do with higher production rates, enabling AC to get some deliveries in 2009, coupled with AC casting light on converting options to orders.

brendows · Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:19 am

Quoting Stitch (Reply 10):
Have the Dreamlifters moved anything from Spirit, yet?

No, no major parts. Both LCFs have been sitting still for the last weeks, LCF#2 at Wichita, and I believe that LCF#1 is at Everett.

LTU932 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:17 am

Quoting Thorny (Reply 4):
Official announcement of 787-10?

I hope so, all combined with a launch order by LH and EK. Big grin

If not, then it's likely the announcement of breaking the 500 mark.

rj777 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:55 am

Maybe DL, AA, and/or UA are placing an order!

highflyer9790 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:41 am

Quoting RJ777 (Reply 18):
Maybe DL, AA, and/or UA are placing an order!

Ha i wish! probably broke the 500 mark, or something to do with an order. io still see the -10 annoucement at the paris airshow, then rollout and first flight as scheduled.

ikramerica · Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:00 am

Quoting CJAContinental (Reply 13):
3 hours ago, but this could well have something to do with tommorows announcement:

I'm sure it will be mentioned tomorrow.

Quoting Badge (Reply 2):
That they broke the 500 mark

Probably that combined with...

Quoting RJ777 (Reply 18):
Maybe DL, AA, and/or UA are placing an order!

An order from AA.

The reason they had UFO 787s (15) before was they only solidified the first 15. Expect that to be more like 30 or 35 at the announcement, plus options and purchase rights of the scope of the QF order. 787-8s would be my guess, since they have a big fleet of 763 and A300, which are similar sized.

The above is a complete guess on my part, but seems timely when combined with the 738 announcement (787s "confirmed" but no order that that time).

787-10 is a Paris Airshow thing, and AA may very well take those, too, but they can announce that at any time in the future based on their options. They do not want to be a launch customer for the 787-10. 787-10 would begin replacing 777s and they don't need to start doing that until 2015, and work for AA in that regard as they would be slightly larger. The more pressing issue for AA is replacing the 762/763 and A300. 787-10 in 3 class will have about the same seats as 787-8 in 2 class, similar to how they A300 and 777 work for AA now...

JAAlbert · Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:12 am

Quoting Sebring (Reply 15):
I'll bet on upping the production rate

Why would Boeing schedule a photo op for an announcement related to an increased production rate?

It's gotta be a new version of the airplane or a large order. I don't think assembling a few parts of the plane would warrant a press conference at this point. We've seen bits and pieces of the plane in various stages of construction so that can't be big news.

And who is Bair? What sort of announcement would a Vice President such as him be making? Would he be announcing a new order? What sort of conferences has he participated in, in the past?

etops1 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:23 am

how about an order from usairways for 20 787's scheduled for delivery in 2011. you never know.

ER757 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:25 am

Probably announcing that they've decided against the whole composite barrel idea and are going with Al-Li Wink

But seriously, maybe the recently rumoured VS order? SRB likes splashy events, thus a press conference/photo op?
Just a W.A.G.

AF022 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:49 am

There was some other chat here about 787-8HGW, maybe for QF? Is that possible, or total pipe dream?

11Bravo · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:09 am

I'll bet this is some sort of industrial production announcement as opposed to an order, perhaps the formal end of the Development and Pre-production Phase and the start of Full-scale Production. It might include final weight reduction results, planned production increases, or projected performance specs now that all the sub-assemblies have been built.

Boeing has been rather circumspect when it comes to 787 order announcements, even large ones, so I'm guessing this is something else.

On the other hand, it could be the 787-10 launch. Lots of folks think that will wait for Paris, or longer, but if they have a big launch order(s) and the development details are finalized, it may well be worth it to pull the trigger now. The extra four months, or whatever, between now and Paris could see several large 787-10 orders worth billions.

boeingfever777 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:15 am

Quoting Badge (Reply 2):
That they broke the 500 mark

A photo op for what? A balance sheet showing 500 orders? Confused

Quoting Thorny (Reply 4):
Official announcement of 787-10?

How do you photo an announcement? Confused

Aside from a few press pics.

Quoting Sebring (Reply 15):
I'll bet on upping the production rate and here's why:

Again they are scheduling a photo op.

Quoting RJ777 (Reply 18):
Maybe DL, AA, and/or UA are placing an order!

Doubtful... Boeing does not hype orders and schedule special announcements for carriers ordering a/c. If anything this would be done at Paris in June. Anyways DL is in not shape to place an order.

Quoting ORDPIA (Reply 1):
The release talks about a photo op so perhaps they are showing off a new piece of the frame

Best most well educated thought out guess that has been posted.

Devilfish · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:23 am

Could it be related to this?.....

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...-787s-as-it-revises-737-order.html

flydreamliner · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:33 am

It should be noted it states that the special announcement and photo op will be in a lobby, so I don't think it's to show off parts. The question, however, is this. If they were going to announce the launch of a new aircraft, would they do that at HQ in Chicago or at the Everett assembly site. Why are they doing there?

alexchao · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:41 am

Quoting FlyDreamliner (Reply 28):
It should be noted it states that the special announcement and photo op will be in a lobby, so I don't think it's to show off parts. The question, however, is this. If they were going to announce the launch of a new aircraft, would they do that at HQ in Chicago or at the Everett assembly site. Why are they doing there?

If Boeing were to announce a new 787 derivative, I expect them to announce it in Puget Sound. I don't see why they would announce it at Boeing Corporate.

Stitch · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:49 am

Well whatever airline puts the 787 over 500 might want to trumpet that fact - especially if it is a new customer (like VS or AA) - so doing it at PAE makes sense from that aspect.

Or perhaps SU finally decided once and for all on the 787 and the photo op is the actual signing ceremony to prove it really happened. Big grin

rj777 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:49 am

Quoting BoeingFever777 (Reply 26):
Anyways DL is in not shape to place an order.

Then why did they just order 777-200LR's?

sixtyseven · Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:52 am

So Sebring. You let me hang????

I have been praying for such a thing. I promised an "announcement", none came.

Give a brother some love.

Best,

Sixty

JFKPurser · Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:37 pm

I bet it's an AA 787 order. And a second 787 production line at Long Beach.

KFLLCFII · Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:47 pm

This will be 10:00am Pacific Time, I presume?

ebs757 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:48 pm

Im guessing an airline put them over the 500 mark...can't wait to here the news (American cough cough) I hope

boeingfever777 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:11 pm

Quoting RJ777 (Reply 32):
Then why did they just order 777-200LR's?

DL did not order the 772LR.

This is a conversion of an existing orders placed in the late 90's for (13) 772ER's. This is not a NEW order but merely a conversion of an existing order.

http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10478

MCIGuy · Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:14 pm

QF converts options for 7810.(?)

...or, could it be 788ER already, again for QF?

[Edited 2007-04-03 07:31:13]

alexchao · Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:42 pm

Quoting JFKPurser (Reply 33):
And a second 787 production line at Long Beach.

A second 787 final assembly in Long Beach would be very interesting.

gunsontheroof · Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:04 pm

Quoting RJ777 (Reply 31):
Then why did they just order 777-200LR's?

Quoting JFKPurser (Reply 33):
I bet it's an AA 787 order. And a second 787 production line at Long Beach.

Quoting Alexchao (Reply 38):

A second 787 final assembly in Long Beach would be very interesting.

How many times does this suggestion need to be shot down before it goes away?

Let's try this again...

BOEING HAS SOLD THE LONG BEACH PLANT TO A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER. THERE WILL BE NO SECOND LINE AT LGB.

PyroGX41487 · Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:06 pm

True, Alexchao, but it would be somewhat difficult to get the 747LCFs into LGB, I'd imagine...

n1786b · Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:41 pm

Quoting JAAlbert (Reply 21):

And who is Bair? What sort of announcement would a Vice President such as him be making? Would he be announcing a new order? What sort of conferences has he participated in, in the past?

With all due respect, if you are asking these questions, you obviously have not been paying attention to the ENTIRE 787 program. Let me put it this way, Mike Bair presented the 7e7 business case to the Boeing Board of Directors.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2003/q4/nr_031216g.html

and has been present at every important public event surrounding the program - give google a shot.

My guesses as to what will be announced today:

1. 787 reaching the 500 order milestone
2. MFG milestone of some sort (e.g. beginning of what Boeing considers the "final assembly")
3. Mike Bair appointed head of sales at Boeing Commercial Airplane Group
4. 787-10 launch

- n1786b

ikramerica · Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:47 pm

Quoting N1786b (Reply 41):
3. Mike Bair appointed head of sales at Boeing Commercial Airplane Group

Good point. Didn't Randy retire on Saturday? Or is it April 30th...

Then again it wouldn't be a Dreamliner announcement.

n1786b · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:09 pm

Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 42):
Then again it wouldn't be a Dreamliner announcement.

IMO it is when the VP involved in the program from the very beginning leaves and a successor is named.

Smart money is on the 500 sales milestone though.

- n1786b

SEPilot · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:35 pm

Quoting JFKPurser (Reply 33):
And a second 787 production line at Long Beach.

As I have pointed out on other threads, Boeing has announced that they expect to produce a completed 787 in 3 days. That translates to 28 per month working 5 days a week. THEY DON'T NEED A SECOND LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bottleneck is suppliers, NOT final assembly!!! The suppliers at this point aren't even close to providing enough parts for 28 per month.

zvezda · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:45 pm

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 44):
Boeing has announced that they expect to produce a completed 787 in 3 days. That translates to 28 per month working 5 days a week.

In theory, yes. In practice, it would be tough to exceed 20 per month with the one line even if all the suppliers could keep up. However, 20 per month is clearly enough to keep up with demand for the 787. There will never, ever be any reason for a second 787 line.

Arniepie · Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:54 pm

Since it seems to be involving a photo, what about a totally new house livery?

The one they have now is also used on some commercial airliners and with the introduction of this new milestone some new colors seem to be a good idea.

just a wild guess

SEPilot · Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:09 pm

Quoting Zvezda (Reply 46):
In practice, it would be tough to exceed 20 per month with the one line even if all the suppliers could keep up.

This is probably true; however, Boeing has done tough things before, and I wouldn't bet against their being able to do it. But since the suppliers seem to be aiming for about 16 a month it's totally academic at this point and as you said, probably forever.

Lumberton · Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:36 pm

Could Boeing be using a little "operational deception" here, under the guise of the 787 program, and launch the 737 RS?

flyabunch · Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:00 pm

Since several people have mentioned Virgin, does anyone know where SRB is right now? He is such a public figure, I would guess that his whereabouts would be fairly easy to come up with. Or if he cannot be located at all, maybe he is already in Everett.......

Mike

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