Seattle Times: Airbus looking at A330lite

On the other hand Airbaus could also use such engines. PW seems eager to develop their turned down engine proposal for the 7E7 to fit on a new version of the 330.

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! 🙂

nah, just airbus trying to get some publicity.

Performance wise, boeing will have no threats against the 7E7 for some time. but, with the tactics of airbus’ sales team theres no telling.

That will have to be seen. Much depends on the enigines of the 7E7. If those “electric” engines will work, then the 7E7 will get a much bigger lead then without them.

On the other hand Airbaus could also use such engines. PW seems eager to develop their turned down engine proposal for the 7E7 to fit on a new version of the 330.

If Airbus amkes the “Light”…. that would be the studpidestmove by Airbus till date.

And how the hell do you know that Sandy?

Call it a hunch

I don’t think that is the case. If they want to draw away attention, then they can use the A380 to do so. Since that plane is now being assembled that will always be more interesting than a new project that is still firmly on the drawing board.

nah, just airbus trying to get some publicity.

Performance wise, boeing will have no threats against the 7E7 for some time. but, with the tactics of airbus’ sales team theres no telling.

I think this is just Airbus attempting to steal some limelight from Boeing and the 7E7.

I don’t think that is the case. If they want to draw away attention, then they can use the A380 to do so. Since that plane is now being assembled that will always be more interesting than a new project that is still firmly on the drawing board.

Well perhaps with some modifications to the winglets (like on long-range and short-range Dreamliners) it could work.

I think this is just Airbus attempting to steal some limelight from Boeing and the 7E7.

I have my doubts about it.

tenthije has got the right idea.

Ideally that is what they should do. What ever happened to the A330-100? It had a shortened fuselage, but with all the advanced A330 features. It was designed to replace the A310? The A300/A310 wing is overbuilt also, weight could be stripped out of those wings further I believe. Also, getting rid of the centre fuel tank int he A330Lite would save sapce and weight.

that was the A330-500 not the 100.

All very good points. I must say that in order to creat this new aircraft the wings will have to redesigned, making them lighter and smaller. Then, as has been mentioned, extra tanks and maybe other typical longhaul features can be removed or decreased in size and weight. But, even with this can it meet the expected 7E7 performance. And what about possible engines?

Looking forward to further discussion-

And another disadvantage of the A330 wing is that it is optimised for long distance. Hence it has a longer wingspan than required for a short/medium range plane. This span gives a more economic cruise in combination with more fuel capacity. On the downside, this makes the plane also heavier. On long stretches that is no problem as the economical cruise will cover the additional expenses (and then some). On short to medium distances however this is a problem due to the added weight!

Ideally not the A330 is updated, but the A300/A310 since they already have a shorter wing span and whose wing is even by todays standards quite economical. There is a very good reason why quality airlines like LH and AA are still operating the A300 with seemingly no end in sight! Slap on the trademark Airbus cockpit and new interior, new engines and perhaps some tweaking of the wings should do the trick.

The A300 is still being produced as a cargo plane so the production line still exists.

This would suit BA as a 767 replacement very very nicely…