Since Boeing have now got a -900 Boeing Airliner what will happen next? I know that then 737 is one of the strongest selling aircraft (A320 is first in its class aint it??) so will Boeing keep the 737 project running until they go Bankrupt (and Airbus win :D) or will they/are they going to introduce a new model, perhaps the 787?
By: KabirT - 21st January 2003 at 08:12
RE: 737 Family
Ren i was comparing it with A320 because thats the main flight….in Boeings next leap….i have no idea but i would say it will fit somewhere between the 737 and 757. About the cracked glass…i think thay already know well about that! 🙂
By: MSR777 - 20th January 2003 at 23:14
RE: 737 Family
Thanks Wys-Guess you’re right about when to go. Yes, I am not far from approach to 23-in the other direction on a clear day I can see the Barkway beacon and on similar days we are treated to the LHR traffic en-route CLN as well as the high level overflying traffic which I guess is ex Europe heading transatlantic and v.v, as well as flights from further North in UK heading all over.So all in all with Duxford,Luton and Mildenhall close by this is not a bad place to be-although a bit closer to LHR would be nice!
The future is bright-The future is Airbus!
By: wysiwyg - 20th January 2003 at 22:03
RE: 737 Family
I think there are relatively few points between the two that are apparant to the public. Possibly the only significant one is cabin width. What the public don’t understand is that the little Airbus can do so many things that the 737 can’t. For example – if desired it can use palletised cargo for faster turn arounds which the 737 can’t, it can land when the visibility is down to 75 meters when the 737 needs 200 meters, it can have a pair of 4 wheel bogies fitted to operate from rough strips which the 737 can’t, etc, etc. these things are not readily seen by the passenger but they give the operator the chance to give a higher level of service if they choose.
Interflug – glad to hear things have worked out for the best despite 911. I guess it’s better to leave early with fond memories than to stay longer and feel it could get you down. You must be near the approach path to R23 at STN.
By: EGNM - 20th January 2003 at 19:07
RE: 737 Family
well it’s a good job all this cracked glass isn’t on these higher tech glass cockpits of the A320s – hehehe
By: MSR777 - 20th January 2003 at 18:56
RE: 737 Family
Wys-I live about 10mls north east of STN-I am now happily in a career involving road transport/distribution,I enjoy this very much and its a new challenge,I dont miss doing shift work, in aviation as you prob know the only way to avoid that is to get a plum managerial type post so at the present time I dont envisage a return to it. I would be lying if I said that I did not miss it sometimes,after all 21yrs was a long time but I feel that that I was lucky enough to catch the”tail end” of the best years-at least as far as Stansted was concerned,so I am not bitter.I had some very good times and met some fantastic people-most of whom stay in touch and I travelled very widely,it was a good career and I would recommend it to anyone-Now if the right post came along-who knows? Meantime I’m a happy Bunny!
The future is bright-The future is Airbus
By: Ren Frew - 20th January 2003 at 18:48
RE: 737 Family
Fair points Kabir, but I wasn’t really trying to compare the 737 with the A320 family. I was more trying to speculate as to what the next great leap in airliner technology might be ?
If you put your average Joe on a 737 or A320, they’d be hard pressed to tell you which was which , better avionics etc or not. I guess what I’m asking is does the 737 or indeed Airbus need to evolve much further than they come already ? How much better can they get without some quantum leap in technology that *will* make Joe Public sit up and take notice ?
BTW have you told Boeing about all this cracked glass on their 737’s ? (lol)
By: KabirT - 20th January 2003 at 16:04
RE: 737 Family
Well my friend….B737 behind A320 in technology. B737 behind A320 in design, even the B739 is behind A320 in avionics. In short B737 cannot take it forever…so there are cracks in the glass now…they need a new glass.
By: Ren Frew - 20th January 2003 at 15:54
RE: 737 Family
So where are the cracks in the 737 then ?
By: KabirT - 20th January 2003 at 09:44
RE: 737 Family
>My personal view on the evolution of the 737 family is along
>the lines of the “It ain’t broke , so don’t fix it”
>philosophy !
I disagree with your philosophy….if a glass is cracked you dont wait till it cuts your mouth until you buy a new one.
>Until the airlines and the passengers start asking for
>something else, then the 737 and Airbus equivalents will be
>around until the next major revolution in travel occurs.
>Perhaps this will be when sub orbital flights or time travel
>become common !!!!
90% people wont ask..why…they dont care. If the piece of metal is flying them safely where they want to go its fine by them.
By: Ren Frew - 20th January 2003 at 01:07
RE: 737 Family
My personal view on the evolution of the 737 family is along the lines of the “It ain’t broke , so don’t fix it” philosophy !
Until the airlines and the passengers start asking for something else, then the 737 and Airbus equivalents will be around until the next major revolution in travel occurs. Perhaps this will be when sub orbital flights or time travel become common !!!!
By: wysiwyg - 20th January 2003 at 00:24
RE: 737 Family
Wow, fascinating. A wealth of experience. I’m curious to know what direction your career has gone in outside aviation. Will you ever make a return? Whereabouts in the UK do you live now? Still near LGW or any of the south east airports?
By: MSR777 - 19th January 2003 at 23:37
RE: 737 Family
Wysiwyg-I spent almost my entire 21 year career in aviation in ground handling,apart from 1983 when I worked for Monarch at LGW and
1993 when I was employed by Aeroflot at STN and LHR. I have worked at ABZ/LTN/LHR/LGW/STN with a brief stint in DUB in connection with Royal Mail Datapost flights. I began as a Station Representative for an outfit called Air Ecosse in ABZ transferring to LTN and then STN before joining the handling agency at STN as a Traffic Officer. I worked thru the posts of Ops.Supervisor and then Station Duty Officer before joining Monarch at LGW as a Station Supervisor.On returning to STN I continued my ground handling career. I trained and qualified as a licensed Load Controller on many types such as DC8,DC9/MD80,A300,Caravelle,DC10/DC10F and 747F as well as many smaller types. In that time I was lucky enough to work on many Russian types too and was fully trained in all aspects of flight planning. Sadly it all came to an end soon after Sept11,so I took the opportunity to make a career change,which I do not regret,and airliners and my model collection are my hobbies. There you go mate-the whole story!
By: wysiwyg - 19th January 2003 at 22:09
RE: 737 Family
Interflug – very interesting hearing your views on the ground handling side of things. Any chance you could expand a bit more?
By: MSR777 - 19th January 2003 at 16:37
RE: 737 Family
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-01-03 AT 04:38 PM (GMT)]I have to admit to not being a huge Boeing fan. During my time in civil aviation I came to the conclusion that the Airbus product was,and still is superior. From a load control point of view I always found Airbus aircraft to be easier to work and more forgiving and flexible in what you could plan. Whilst ramping the two makes at close quarters I always felt that the appearance and finish of the Airbus was better. I think that it is time that Boeing tore itself free of the 60s designs and some technologies of its short haul products. I think to be fair to them that the 777 and later versions of the 747 are formidable types and Airbus dismiss them at their peril. But the world moves on and Boeing must do the same. I am not a pilot but got to know many,especially within Monarch,and the pilots that I canvassed there were in no doubt that the Aibus had the edge! I recently watched an old documentary on video from my collection where a senior Boeing official totally dismissed the concept of fly by wire and proudly stated that airlines would never pay for it.The rest of course is history. Take care Boeing not to become so!
The future is bright-the future is Airbus
By: KabirT - 19th January 2003 at 16:02
RE: 737 Family
Compare B777 to A340/330…here no comparison…Boeing wins head on…in my opinion that is. :).
By: Bhoy - 19th January 2003 at 14:38
RE: 737 Family
that’s your view, of course… I prefer the comfort of the slightly wider 320 Cabin diameter to the cramped, early 1960’s 737 cabin…
(although if you put two RB211’s on it and call it a 757, I don’t care how cramped it is… 😀 )
By: KabirT - 19th January 2003 at 13:47
RE: 737 Family
The only reason Airbus is selling more a/c is because they are fuel efficient….and of course that is one of the main factors. But in comforts, class and quality of built etc…..in my opinion they are no way near Boeing.
By: Saab 2000 - 19th January 2003 at 13:38
RE: 737 Family
Boeing is unlikely to go bankrupt, I don’t know how you could think of such an idea. They are currently in a position where they do not know what to do next because of world economies, turmoil in the aviation industry and the status of Airbus. For many years Boeing could sit back and watch the orders roll in but now because of competition, they are no longer an airlines number 1 choice and Boeing has to slowly adapt to this new reality.As Kabir said, don’t take Boeing for granted they will be back with a new product don’t you worry.
Boeing in the future will continue improving the efficiency of all its lines, but particularly the 737, which it relies on as it best selling aircraft and until the tides turn and the 737 looses popularity, they will continue producing the aircraft. You never know…there may be a 737-900ER
The 787 is already on the cards and looks more promising than their concept designs…
By: KabirT - 19th January 2003 at 13:04
RE: 737 Family
At present Boeings 738 has more orders than A320…..but in near future no doubt Airbus will take the lead cleanly. But dont take Boeing for granted….they will show there experience soon.
By: kev35 - 19th January 2003 at 12:42
RE: 737 Family
Andrew.
I don’t know anything about how things will work out between Boeing and Airbus. It just concerns me that you would find delight in Boeing going bankrupt. Have you any idea how many people rely on Boeing for employment? Not only in America but in the UK as well? Thousands of people facing unemployment and all it’s attendant problems is hardly something to make you smile is it?
Regards,
kev35
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January 19, 2003 at 11:32 am