BA (IAG) orders A350

[markis10]

After a thorough selection process, International Airline Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as part of the airline’s on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy.


IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots that could lead to firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is in a position to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.


The choice of the A350-1000 follows British Airways’ decision in 2007 to buy 12 Airbus A380s, the first of which will be delivered this summer. Operating the A380 and A350 together delivers real value to the world’s leading airlines because it allows them to match aircraft capacity to traffic demand on any route.

http://www.airlinereporter.com/?attachment_id=19753

 

[Flying Fox]

So they are splitting their orders between the A350 & B787.

http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8646879/ba-announces-a11-7-billion-airbus-order

 

[A330]

I think BA has enough routes to justify a 787/350/380 fleet. They must have found that the 744 is too much plane for many of its routes (hence the relatively small 380 order). The 350-1000 is for routes with a similar demand to the 744, and the 789 for routes where the Y cabin is too large.

 

[Flying Fox]

I think BA has enough routes to justify a 787/350/380 fleet. They must have found that the 744 is too much plane for many of its routes (hence the relatively small 380 order). The 350-1000 is for routes with a similar demand to the 744, and the 789 for routes where the Y cabin is too large.

I was thinking that the combination was a bit messy in that they are getting A380s for heavy routes.

For lighter routes, I would have thought 787-8 & 787-9 & 787-10s (if & when they get launched) OR 350-900 & 350-1000. Keeping these combos BA should be able to maximise fleet commonality.

Alternatively, they could look at 777-X since they already operate 777-200s & 777-300s.

 

[lovestotravel]

Well the 777-X isn't launched yet neither is the 787-10 and given the track history of the 787 if I was an airline I'd be going with the Airbus product at this stage

 

[simongr]

Well the 777-X isn't launched yet neither is the 787-10 and given the track history of the 787 if I was an airline I'd be going with the Airbus product at this stage

A380 delayed two years

A350 delay google search yields 365,000 results.

 

[oz_mark]

A380 delayed two years

A350 delay google search yields 365,000 results.

787 delayed three years

787 delay google search yields 7,340,000 results

 

[simongr]

Yes - pretty poor results by both airlines. I don't think that the fact that Airbus were only delayed one year less than Boeing when comparing the A380 and the 787 is a compelling argument to go with Boeing. The A350 is already delayed so that is two consecutive new aircraft delayed. The 777 wasnt delayed.

Frankly if buying new aircraft I would be assuming that they would be delayed by one year as a minimum.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes - pretty poor results by both airlines. I don't think that the fact that Airbus were only delayed one year less than Boeing when comparing the A380 and the 787 is a compelling argument to go with Boeing. The A350 is already delayed so that is two consecutive new aircraft delayed. The 777 wasnt delayed.

Frankly if buying new aircraft I would be assuming that they would be delayed by one year as a minimum.

BA recently converted some 787 options to firm orders, so they are spreading it around a bit.

 

[Flying Fox]

Frankly if buying new aircraft I would be assuming that they would be delayed by one year as a minimum.

Totally agree. It seems like both manufacturers are over-promising and under-delivering with regards to EIS.

Makes me realise the amazing job Alan Mulally did with 777 EIS!

 

[A330]

I was thinking that the combination was a bit messy in that they are getting A380s for heavy routes.

For lighter routes, I would have thought 787-8 & 787-9 & 787-10s (if & when they get launched) OR 350-900 & 350-1000. Keeping these combos BA should be able to maximise fleet commonality.

Alternatively, they could look at 777-X since they already operate 777-200s & 777-300s.

I think BA is diversifying the long haul fleet to avoid a situation recurring where they are stuck with a large fleet of aircraft that most competitors have phased out. Kind of like hedging their bets. There will likely be routes where 789 performs best, and others where 35J performs best. The 380 was almost a necessity due to LHR's congestion.

 

[Berlin]

787 delayed three years

787 delay google search yields 7,340,000 results

Love it!

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes - pretty poor results by both airlines. I don't think that the fact that Airbus were only delayed one year less than Boeing when comparing the A380 and the 787 is a compelling argument to go with Boeing. The A350 is already delayed so that is two consecutive new aircraft delayed. The 777 wasnt delayed.

Frankly if buying new aircraft I would be assuming that they would be delayed by one year as a minimum.

Well the 787's battery problem sure isn't going to help short-term sales.....

Spreading the risk is a much smarter move, plus as I said the other aircraft are not even officially available to order. Also given that Emirates are talking about 275+ of the 777X, I'd say that the aircraft is going to be what EK want :shock:

 

[mannej]

Well the 787's battery problem sure isn't going to help short-term sales.....
:

Well the 380 did have engine and wing spar issues very early on did it not.?

 

[lovestotravel]

Well the 380 did have engine and wing spar issues very early on did it not.?

Yep, but there is no competitor for the A380, you want the best large aircraft you get the A380

For mid-size medium-long haul it's 777/787/A350's so there is a choice between Airbus and Boeing

I personally don't see the 787-10 launching if Boeing launch the 777X although I am not sure of the range/payloads, so they may be totally different

 

[Berlin]

Well the 380 did have engine and wing spar issues very early on did it not.?

... and it surely didn't help its short-term sales!

 

[mannej]

Yep, but there is no competitor for the A380, you want the best large aircraft you get the A380

For mid-size medium-long haul it's 777/787/A350's so there is a choice between Airbus and Boeing

I personally don't see the 787-10 launching if Boeing launch the 777X although I am not sure of the range/payloads, so they may be totally different

Technically there is the 748...

 

[Awesom Andy]

Technically there is the 748...

I would think that anyone needing an ultra large aircraft would've gone for the A388, and those who needing a 744 replacement would've gone for the 77W with better efficiency.

 

[markis10]

Well the 777-X isn't launched yet neither is the 787-10 and given the track history of the 787 if I was an airline I'd be going with the Airbus product at this stage

Already up to 102 orders with BA, UA and SQ now on board:

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