777 or A330 to replace Government 737BBJ?

[Awesom Andy]

I guess it really depends on what missions the plane will be on. But after all, a BBJ is adequate for flights to Asian partners. Flights to the middle east probably won't be all that frequent, however, so it will probably depends on whether they want the capability of reaching the US west coast without stopping. If they want to go to western Europe, they'll need a stop no matter what plane they have.

 

[maninblack]

I think it may be a size issue as much as range.

Showing up in a BBJ looks a bit small time compared to other government leaders too. It's a bit like rolling up in a hybrid Camry. We are a serious hydrocarbon burning country and our head of government should show the world we mean serious business when it comes to emissions.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I think it may be a size issue as much as range.

Showing up in a BBJ looks a bit small time compared to other government leaders too. It's a bit like rolling up in a hybrid Camry. We are a serious hydrocarbon burning country and our head of government should have a serious kero burner.

With a population of <23 million, it's not like we're exactly a big country... if anything, Australia is the lucky and smart nation, and decisions should be made in that sense rather than just throwing money into a black hole because it looks good.

 

[maninblack]

With a population of <23 million, it's not like we're exactly a big country... if anything, Australia is the lucky and smart nation, and decisions should be made in that sense rather than just throwing money into a black hole because it looks good.

Lucky yes. Smart, I'm not so sure.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Lucky yes. Smart, I'm not so sure.

We were smart not so long ago...

 

[DC3]

I think it may be a size issue as much as range.

Showing up in a BBJ looks a bit small time compared to other government leaders too. It's a bit like rolling up in a hybrid Camry ...

Go for the A380. That will show them that "mine's bigger than yours".

 

[Ansett]

What about the 787-9 would that be a feasable option

 

[Kieran2274]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

The only criticism that the article and the one it is based on makes is that the seats are uncomfortable. Or at least, the seats looked uncomfortable when the author received a tour of the aircraft a decade or more ago. The US Air Force uses the BBJ as the C-40B for senior military and government transport.

The VC-25s commonly used as Air Force One were designed in the late 1980s, so the BBJ design is a decade newer.

My completely uninformed opinion - buy a sleeper suite for the BBJs, let the press fly commercial if there's not enough room down the back, and as markis suggests charter an airliner if you're flying a big group somewhere unusual.

Depends on where you sit - the only 'cramped' seats, which really aren't (just leg-room is slightly shorter than Business, even though the seats are high quality Domestic Business types in White Leather), are in the media/hangers-on section in the back. Rest is 'Private Jet' quality space/luxury.

A 747 would have been problematic I thought because of noise restrictions (or is this no longer a problem?). It's why the former VIP fleet fell out of use.

 

[Kieran2274]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

Whatever they end up getting, I hope its a decision based solely on practical decisions rather than 'political' ones. The fact of the matter is that the Federal Government does need a long haul jet, because RPT isn't always an option. And if we have to have one, then I see nothing wrong with them being used to run the GG, PM, pollies and senior Defence contingents around when it makes economic and practical sense to do so.

That recent storm in a teacup over use of 34SQN aircraft was ridiculous - especially when people where adding in fixed (sunk) costs to 'comparisons'. What matters is additional costs - and if that component per person onboard works out less than the equivalent Qantas J/F fares then I see no problem with it (otherwise we waste a lot of cash on 'contingency' aircraft).

As to aircraft size/type, you have to limit selection to aircraft that would be able to land/take-off at nearly all airports (major and minor) just for flexibility reasons - which is why I doubt it'll be the A380 lol

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

The only criticism that the article and the one it is based on makes is that the seats are uncomfortable. Or at least, the seats looked uncomfortable when the author received a tour of the aircraft a decade or more ago. The US Air Force uses the BBJ as the C-40B for senior military and government transport.

The VC-25s commonly used as Air Force One were designed in the late 1980s, so the BBJ design is a decade newer.

My completely uninformed opinion - buy a sleeper suite for the BBJs, let the press fly commercial if there's not enough room down the back, and as markis suggests charter an airliner if you're flying a big group somewhere unusual.

some gov charters cant fly....there are other concerns ie security and comms.

 

[samh004]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

QF has plenty of options on the 787. Maybe the govt could do a deal with QF on that playing field issue and get a cheap sub-lease in return.

What about the 787-9 would that be a feasable option

I was thinking something along those lines too.

That said, how often does the Australian government need to travel beyond Asia?

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

I was thinking something along those lines too.

That said, how often does the Australian government need to travel beyond Asia?

TBH I would be happy if the current govt flew as far as they could and stayed there!

 

[spudseamus]

Re: Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

TBH I would be happy if the current govt flew as far as they could and stayed there!

And take the other mob who made the mess with them ! Lol!