[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-01-03 AT 09:06Â PM (GMT)]A statement from the Boeing website.
Boeing Statement In Response to Loss of the Iberia 777 Campaign
SEATTLE, Jan. 30, 2003 – Iberia has been a longtime customer and partner, and Boeing has worked hard to provide them the airplane model that would most help them maintain profitability in their long-distance operations in the coming years.
Given that the major airlines of the world — and their passengers — clearly prefer the Boeing 777 over the A340, it is disappointing that Iberia chose what the world recognizes as a less capable airplane than the 777, which has outsold the A340 about two to one. The success of the 777 family has been demonstrated by its almost 70 percent market share since launch.
As Iberia already operates A340s in its fleet, the commitment to the A340-600 appears to be the easiest decision.
By: dan777 - 2nd February 2003 at 13:15
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
>Hear hear. 2-5-2 is a terrible arrangement. I would
>absolutely dread being stick in the “5” bit.
>
>Why couldn’t they do 3-3-3 ?
I have flown with Continental Airlines on their Boeing 777-200’s and they have the 3-3-3 configuration. Very comfortable. I think British Airways have this configuration aswell. I agree with the 2-5-2 arrangment – dreadful!!!! I have travelled in the 5 bit but I was with my family so it didn’t matter. Imagine being a single traveller with 2 people on both sides of you – not good for a claustraphobic person.
Regards
dan777
By: MSR777 - 2nd February 2003 at 11:27
RE: IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-02-03 AT 11:44Â AM (GMT)]Sorry Minidoh I disagree-Boeing rules as part of its left over legacy from the days when other than MDC there was no worthwile competition. In my own opinion the industry is in major transition for a number of reasons. The current order and sales figures speak for themselves. Its not too late for Boeing to retain its overall position as ONE of the main airframe manufacturers in the world, but I really do feel that the days of Boeing being THE main manufacturer are very nearly over, despite the propaganda of Ryanair! There IS room for both, however, I stick by my line below,
The future’s bright – the future’s Airbus!
IF62M
By: wysiwyg - 2nd February 2003 at 09:45
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
…but the world doesn’t have enough fossil fuels left to bring back the DC8’s, 747 classics and Tristars…;)
By: KabirT - 2nd February 2003 at 07:23
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
woohooo finaly someone who is supporting Boeing other than me! 😀
By: MINIDOH - 1st February 2003 at 22:04
RE: IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
BOEING! BOEING! Sorry fellow Europeans, but Boeing rules! I hate joysticks, fly-by-wire and economical aircraft! Bring back the DC8’s, the 747 classicals, and of course, the 1011 tristar! It was very unproffesional of Boeing to make that statement, but as someone said, it shows the situation Boeing are in at the moment (trouble). With all the problems currently with airlines it was wrong of Boeing to say this. Some people said that poeple go prefer comfort to low prices, well, i dont think many do, if they did then why are low cost airlines doing so well?! And remember guys, its aviation, and we love it!
By: Bhoy - 1st February 2003 at 20:19
RE: IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
if airlines went for looks, the 737 would be a dead duck.
By: Jay330 - 1st February 2003 at 18:16
RE: IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
I doubt it that airlines go for looks over efficiency, if they do they should be shhot, good news for airbus
By: MSR777 - 1st February 2003 at 11:37
RE: IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
Here here!
The future’s bright – the future’s Airbus!
IF62M
By: A330Crazy - 1st February 2003 at 10:23
IBERIA TO JOIN THE LONG LIST OF A340-500/-600 CUSTOMERS
Airbus is very pleased with today’s announcement by Iberia that it has selected the A340-600 over the 777-300ER. This decision follows a long and intensive evaluation process as part of Iberia’s fleet renewal programme. It shows the level of confidence Iberia, as well as the majority of other leading airlines, have in Airbus and its products. (Airbus has booked over 50 percent of all industry firm orders in three of the last four years).
With this decision, Iberia becomes the 12th customer to select an aircraft from the new long-range A340-500/-600 Family, of which now a total of 81 have been committed to (72 firm orders plus nine committed to by Iberia), representing a 57 percent market share vs. its direct competitor, the 777-200LR/-300ER long-range family (of which 61 aircraft have been ordered by seven customers, according to the latest information available on the Boeing website).
Many independent surveys of business flyers have confirmed that the vast majority placed significant importance on their comfort during long-range flights and preferred four-engined aircraft for those journeys, with the majority of respondents preferring the A340 configuration over the 777 by a significant factor.
The A340-500/-600 are market leaders in their class, both in terms of aircraft sold and customers. Recent sales to SAA and Iberia confirm the market need for genuine long-range capability and reaffirm the importance of being able to operate efficiently with four-engined aircraft from hot and from high altitude airports.
The long-range credentials of the A340-600 have already been confirmed with the introduction of non-stop Los Angeles-Hong Kong services by Cathay Pacific. 2003 will also mark the inauguration of new ultra-long-range services by the A340-500 with Air Canada, Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
With greater revenue-generating capability and operating costs lower than those of the 747 or 777, with passenger-pleasing seating in an all-new cabin interior and outstandingly low noise levels, the A340-500/-600 Family is setting standards in long-haul air travel.
By: KabirT - 1st February 2003 at 08:05
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Maybe Airbus is more efficient and economical but it lacks class!
By: mongu - 31st January 2003 at 18:35
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Boo hoo, nasty Airbus took my ball away
By: Saab 2000 - 31st January 2003 at 18:13
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
That is very bitchy….that surely is the worst comment they could possibly make. What were they thinking, seems like they are really desperate.
I think maybe Boeing could of seen in coming? It seems to me as if Iberia had already decided to go all Airbus.
By: MSR777 - 31st January 2003 at 17:52
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Come on Kabir……Like it or not,in almost all respects the Airbus is the superior product in terms of technological spec and, so I am told by those who know better than I, operating costs and efficiency. I am not wholly anti Boeing-I just think they have to try harder, they were offered the chance to co-operate on the A380 product and they declined. That was a great pity, I think both parties would have gained from it-I have reached the point where this could get political so I shall close here.
The future’s bright – the future’s Airbus!
IF62M
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 31st January 2003 at 15:49
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
I think Boeing’s statement also speaks to the desperate state of the airline industry, and the US economy. The market is becoming more and more competitive when major (usually dependable) airlines are placing holds on orders. Also, I am sure there is a subtle political message there re: France and Germany with regards to economy and industry of the “new Europe” versus the United States. No, I am not attempting to open this topic up to a discussion of politics.
By: KabirT - 31st January 2003 at 15:45
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Yes that is very unproffesional….not to be expected from a co. like Being…777 a piece of junk…its better than those cheap Airbus drones! 😀
By: MSR777 - 31st January 2003 at 10:01
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Indeed a sad statement from Boeing. It reveals a real disdain for any kind of competition (especially when in most areas its superior).
Is Boeing gaining this mindset from O’Leary/Ryanair or vice-versa? Anyhow Boeing has had ample time and opportunity to match the flair and technical innovations shown by Airbus again and again.
Come on Boeing-just sticking the boot into the competition won’t do!
get off your corporate backside and invent/improve! The sixties are long gone! and I personally miss the Boeing of old.
The future’s bright – the future’s Airbus!
IF62M
By: EGNM - 31st January 2003 at 00:11
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
i think it cud b three types now – B742, B734(??), and B752 – as well as the McD Douglas MD-80s and the now disposed (i think DC-10s) – the airbus i presume is still A319/320, A343, A346 and the slowly retiring A300B4s – best bet for info – Keltic – theres been a lot of ins and outs in the last 2 years!
By: wysiwyg - 30th January 2003 at 23:38
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
I too find Boeings statement quite remarkable. It’s more like a sulky child than a major manufacturer.
By: A330Crazy - 30th January 2003 at 22:57
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Well from what I know, Iberia has been more of an Airbus customer rather than a Boeing customer.
Iberia operate 5 Airbus types, and 3 Boeing types, although it could now be 2 as I’m not sure if they still fly the 727?
By: mongu - 30th January 2003 at 22:35
RE: Boeing… a bit P’ed off at Iberia.
Hear hear. 2-5-2 is a terrible arrangement. I would absolutely dread being stick in the “5” bit.
Why couldn’t they do 3-3-3 ?
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January 30, 2003 at 9:05 pm