A330-500

hmmm valid points there mongu.

You could equally argue that the 757 is only an extension of the 737, but that hasn’t put buyers off.

What is the point in building a wide fuselage (more drag) if you can build a long thin one? The only imepdiment I know of is fuselage flexing from excessive length, but the A321 should be capable of being stretched to 757-300 lengths.

Originally posted by mongu
Why?

First of all…… majority of airlines wont be interested in that aircraft, it will just an enhanced model of A321 right? With more range etc. they cannot extend that design too much, hence it will not be the perfect solution for todays economic sensitive industry, to replace the A300/310.

Originally posted by binx
Although an interesting idea, I doubt an A322 will ever see the light of day. Upon speaking with my friend’s dad who is an A319/20/21 driver for AC I was told that the A321 uses the same wing as the A320. This has resulted in a very high wing loading for the A321 to the point where he believes the wing is maxed out. Any further stretch to the fuselage would most likely mean a complete redesign of the wing, a process that is most likely way too costly in the current economic environment.

So, build a new wing and probably add some meatier engines. Whatever the cost, it is surely less than the cost of a new aircraft type.

Originally posted by KabirT
A322? That wont by any chance be profitable for Airbus.

Why?

Would it be possible to shrink the A332 fuselage, and then add improved A300/A310 wings.

The A330 wings are optimised for long range, and are therefore heavier than the A300/A310 wings. By adding the A300/A310 wing to the A330 fuselage it may be possible to save weight.

Could this be a cheap(ish) way to get a capable plane?

Although an interesting idea, I doubt an A322 will ever see the light of day. Upon speaking with my friend’s dad who is an A319/20/21 driver for AC I was told that the A321 uses the same wing as the A320. This has resulted in a very high wing loading for the A321 to the point where he believes the wing is maxed out. Any further stretch to the fuselage would most likely mean a complete redesign of the wing, a process that is most likely way too costly in the current economic environment.

A322? That wont by any chance be profitable for Airbus.

Why could an A321 not be re-worked into a hypothetical A322 competing with the 753?

I know the A321 is a long aircraft already, but it has a wider cross-section than the 757 does and a stretch to 757-300 lengths shouldn’t be any more “unnatural” than the 753 already is.

cool…..i read about this in Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. Edited by Michael J.h. Taylor

Sure, Modern Commercial Aircraft – 2001 edition.

Pembo may i ask which book you read abt this?

It would be a great replacement for the A310. Also I think there is too big a gap between the A321 and A332, which the A335 would fill nicely.

Its a shame – but I guess its something that can be resurrected.

the programme never took off. We have had some healthy discussions before on A335 here. It would be ideal replacement for A300/310 users.

RE: A330-500

The A330-500 was proposed to Lufthansa some time ago, but the German carrier was said to be unimpressed with what Airbus had to offer. The project has since been shelved due to lack of interest. Lufthansa know they need a replacement for their A300/A310 fleet soon, but they seem unsure of what they want. They seriously considered buying the B757-300, but they’ve dropped those plans also.

The biggest issue with the A310 was range, but I’ve heard rumblings of a new version being talked about. I doubt if this will amount to anything though. The A310 would have outsold the 767 in the 1980s and 1990s if the range was greater. It had many things going for it – Wider cabin, the ability to hold industry standard LD3 containers, advanced wing design.

In the current economical climate, you’ll see much smaller types replacing such types as the 757/767 and A300/A310. BA are replacing their 757 fleet with A319s and A320s. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lufthansa go for the A321 for it’s short haul needs. Just a thought.

RE: A330-500

The major cuts in cost will come from fuel consumption and the new airbus reduce dramatically the amount of parafin consumed. We have to make two levels. Airlines which can´t afford operating a new A330/350 and have to get a A310 which is cheaper (still in production) and big airlines which want the extra cost for operating the last in technology because their main competitors will tend to have the best equipment in the same route. Probably in a domestic Indonesian route, for example where there´s not much competition a A310 will do or even in charter segments with no alternative or some airlines like Royal Jordanian, Yemenia which don´t have competitors in their niches. But on the North Atlantic, where competence is fierce, passengers are aware of the types of planes they are flying and brand new planes are always needed. On the other hand in small communities and regional airports, the A330 is too big for long haul and the A310 (which is being used now) is ageeging.

RE: A330-500

yes….the A330-500 first when was considered was named A330-‘shrink’. Many airlines are quite dependent for there medium haul routes on the A310 for eg. Air India. An A330-500 would indeed be perfect in the market. Although being low on cost than the A300/310 is doubtful. The A330-500 if at all comes will have latest avionics, radar(talkes for CAT(HU-11 were on)etc. which will increase its cost. But i dont think the airlines would mind that. After all it will be much better in all aspects than the A300/310.

regards

RE: A330-500

That´s a really interesting question. I suppose new replacement for the ageeing A310 need to be in market soon. There are lots of airlines which are using it for long haul, don´t want to A330 because it´s too big and need a new plane. In Spain Air Plus Comet and Iberworld two long haul charter airlines have pointed repeatedly they need a new plane. They are focusing their attention to the A330/A340 but the crisis in the sector wouldn´t recomend incorporate them. A A330-500 would be perfect. It would really versatile for short haul high density (like the Chinese domestic market) if costs are lower than A310/300.