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Does Airbus need to make an aircraft larger than the A350-1000?
With the completion of the A380, the A350-1000 is the largest aircraft Airbus makes. Still it is not as big as the B777-9. Will/should they make anything bigger than the A350-1000? Like the A350-2000? Or an all new design? This is to compete with the B777-9
Re: Does Airbus need to make an aircraft larger than the A350-1000?
UAUA wrote:With the completion of the A380, the A350-1000 is the largest aircraft Airbus makes. Still it is not as big as the B777-9. Will/should they make anything bigger than the A350-1000? Like the A350-2000? Or an all new design? This is to compete with the B777-9
I don't think so, the 777X (which I believe has/will have better seat costs than the A35K) is having its own issues selling even without a direct competitor, a larger A350 would probably lead to a DC-10/L-1011 situation again. Airlines mainly want aircraft the size of the A359 and 789, the A35K is tagged onto that, but isn't a hot seller itself. I see no need for an outlay on an aircraft that probably wouldn't sell much more than 200.
Re: Does Airbus need to make an aircraft larger than the A350-1000?
I think Airbus is happy with where they stand with the A350-1000 vs the 777X. I don't know which has better seat costs in similar layouts, but the -1000 seems to weigh empty 155t versus at least 181t for the 777x. That seems a lot of dead weight to fly around next to your payload for 25 years. If 777x customers like SQ, LH, CX and EK start converting A350-900 orders into A350-1000's, we should worry about the 777x.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters1968/51394493893
I don't share the A350-1000 pessimism displayed by some. The A350-1000 seems to be the most efficient aircraft out there, it's fully certified and meeting/ beating it's performance targets. The seat capacity seems the right place to be this decade and many A350-900 operators could upgrade to the -1000 later on. Many (LH, SQ) have the conversion rights already.
The many 777-300ER operators have the choice to replace their fleets with significant lighter and more efficient, proven A350-1000s or bet the house the bigger, heavier 777x will be just fine soon.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters1968/51394493893
I don't share the A350-1000 pessimism displayed by some. The A350-1000 seems to be the most efficient aircraft out there, it's fully certified and meeting/ beating it's performance targets. The seat capacity seems the right place to be this decade and many A350-900 operators could upgrade to the -1000 later on. Many (LH, SQ) have the conversion rights already.
The many 777-300ER operators have the choice to replace their fleets with significant lighter and more efficient, proven A350-1000s or bet the house the bigger, heavier 777x will be just fine soon.
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- PolarRoute
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Re: Does Airbus need to make an aircraft larger than the A350-1000?
keesje wrote:the -1000 seems to weigh empty 155t
From what I gather, no a35k should weigh as much as 155t, just to be nitpicky.
It should be around ~150t according to Lifes' post here - viewtopic.php?t=1447519
Though I'm not entirely sure if he meant DOW or OEW.
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- eurotrader85
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Re: Does Airbus need to make an aircraft larger than the A350-1000?
In the current environment? No. However, let's assume we get back to normal, then eventually yes. Airport infrastructure won't keep up with growing pax and more capacity on metal will be needed. Sure this goes down the route was the A380 ahead or behind its day, but the idea that when BA are still trying to push out more and more pax across its slot constrained LHR hub, the 777-x and A350 are the answer to its problems once the A380s need to be retired, is fanciful. When Airbus designed the 351 it was with the view that the step up was the 388 in its portfolio. That's even how they pitched the WB order to BA which they lost to Boeing. Without the step up anymore, one will eventually be needed. But form and when are anyone's guess in this world.
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