From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

George Sherwood wrote:
> As I said when the A-380 was launched, airlines are beginning to re-think
> the economics of the aircraft.  Unfortunately this is from this weeks
> Aviation Week and not online without a subscription.  In an article about
> the new 747-8 they write:
>
>   "The 747-8 only offers an additional 34 seats over the 747-400's 416
> capacity, but it has significantly greater reach, with a design range of
> 8,270 naut. mi.
>    What could play into Boeing's hands is skepticism among some A380
> customers about the aircraft's economics.  Although Airbus is hoping some
> of its current A380 customers will soon start to exercise options for
> additional aircraft, an Air France/KLM planner is skeptical.  The carrier
> has bought 10 A380s and holds options for four, but the planner says the
> airline is starting to have doubts about the operating economics of the
> mega-transport, finding few routes where employing the aircraft makes
> sense.  However, that attitude may not translate into 747-8 orders.
> Instead Boeing's 777, for which Air France is already a major customer,
> could benefit."
>
> IMO opinion only the start.  I still haven't seen resolution of the wing
> loading problem and how much later will be the first deliveries.  So how
> many years will it take to reach the break even point?
>
> George

Nah they said all this wrt the 747.

In fact they also said it wrt to 707 as it needed such long runways &
so few places had such long runways etc.

Adam

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