Airplane manufacturer Boeing is considering revamping the 747 jumbo jet, despite just launching the sleek new 7E7.
In the past decade, Boeing has floated various plans for updating the 34-year-old 747, as it seeks to counter archrival Airbus’ superjumbo A380.
Meanwhile, Airbus has snagged 129 firm orders for the huge A380, a double-decker plane expected to debut in 2006 that will carry about 550 passengers.
This time, Boeing is gauging interest in the 747A — for “Advanced” — that would be slightly larger and more technically advanced than the most current model, the 747-400ER.
The plane would blend technology from the 7E7 with the 747’s size in a package Boeing claims would be far cheaper to fly than the A380.
The move comes as orders for the 747 have slowed to a trickle, with most interest remaining in the cargo version of the airplane.
The idea for the 747A is still in its initial stages. Boeing spokeswoman Leslie Nichols said that a decision on whether to build the plane won’t have to be made until at least the end of 2005. If the airplane is approved, it wouldn’t be in service until at least 2009.
Boeing’s Seattle-based commercial airplanes division is focused on the fuel-efficient, mid-sized 7E7, officially launched earlier this year and scheduled to begin service in 2008. Company executives say they believe passengers and airlines mostly want such 200- to 300-seat jets that can fly directly to long-range destinations. They say the market is smaller for much bigger planes, like the 747 and the A380, which could be used to fly between major hubs.
The 747 design dates from the late 1960s, though the plane was almost totally redesigned with the 747-400, which started service in 1989.
The 747A would hold about 30 more passengers than the extended-range 747-400ER, seating about 450 people instead of 416. In addition to new engines and an updated flight deck, Boeing is considering a complete redesign of the interior, reviving plans to create everything from sleeping areas to conference rooms in unused space at the top of the aircraft.
By: Speedbird 12T - 19th May 2004 at 16:29
The thing about survey’s is that they tell you 900 people took part but they dont tell which 900, they could of asked OAP’s for all we know!
By: Bhoy - 19th May 2004 at 11:28
plus it’s all very well going on about smaller aircraft offering more flights a day at flexible times, but when the skies are as congested as they are anyway, and with takeoff slots near impossible to procure (in those countries that have them [are you listening, Boeing? :confused:]), then larger aircraft are almost a must.
No doubt the survey went on to conclude that although 90% of travellers would prefer a 250 seat single deck plane to a double deck 555 (oops, sorry, I meant 550. I wouldn’t want to mention any particular aircraft’s specs :rolleyes: ), 98% prefer a 450 seat one and a half deck aircraft to a 250 seat single decker… 😉
By: Bmused55 - 19th May 2004 at 07:51
With all due respect to those involved in that survey, 900 people is not exactly a valid survey, considering the huge number of people on the move daily by air, 900 poeple. Thats like a p!ss in the ocean!
I do not think this survey is accurate. 900 people from a whole world of travellers is just not comprehensive enough.
By: US Agent - 18th May 2004 at 22:03
How do you think this will effect Boeing’s plans on building a new 747… :confused:
International Travelers Prefer Convenience of Smaller Planes
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued May 17, 2004)
SEATTLE — International air travelers overwhelmingly prefer being on 250-seat airplanes to 550-seat airplanes, whether flying non-stop or on connecting flights, a Harris Interactive study of more than 900 long-distance fliers found.
Harris Interactive surveyed travelers from Tokyo, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom who had recently taken at least one international flight of eight or more hours. Boeing commissioned the study to determine the aircraft preferences of these fliers.
“We presented respondents with real-life air travel scenarios to better understand the attitudes and feelings that led to their choices,” said Dr. David Bakken, senior vice president of Marketing Sciences, Harris Interactive. “What we found was that travelers taking very long flights generally prefer the more convenient and flexible experience provided by smaller planes.”
In each region, Harris polled equal numbers of Premium Class Business, Economy Business, and Economy Leisure travelers. Some key findings include:
–More than 60 percent prefer a single-deck, 250-passenger airplane to a double-deck, 550-passenger airplane for non-stop flights.
–Seven out of ten travelers prefer a non-stop trip on a single-deck, 250-passenger airplane to a trip involving a connecting flight on a double-deck, 550-passenger airplane with an on-board lounge.
–Travelers in all the classes of service from all three regions believe smaller airplanes will provide a better experience with check-in, boarding, disembarking, baggage claim and customs/immigration than the 550-seat aircraft.
These overall results are also reflected in the individual results for the regions and the traveler classes surveyed. The preference for smaller planes tends to be somewhat more pronounced among passengers who fly economy class; and the preference increases for all classes when they are asked to choose between a non-stop flight on a smaller plane or a one-stop/connecting trip on a larger plane.
“The consistency and strength of these results across all markets and classes of travelers provides further proof that passengers want to fly in smaller airplanes that take them non-stop to where they want to go, when they want to go,” said Randy Baseler, vice president — Marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our product strategy is designed to do just that, design and build airplanes that carry passengers non-stop, point-to-point, with more frequency choices — in other words, where they want, when they want.”
This survey is based on 913 interviews conducted in the United Kingdom, Tokyo, and Hong Kong with international travelers (aged 18 and over) who had taken at least one recent eight-hour or longer flight. Interviews were conducted between November 2003 and February 2004 using a two-stage methodology. Respondents were first screened and qualified by telephone or via in-person interviews and then they completed an online survey at home/work or at a central interviewing location.
In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of 13.3 percentage points for the overall sample and 15.6 percentage points for each city of what they would be if the entire air-traveling population for those regions had been polled with complete accuracy.
By: Distiller - 15th May 2004 at 17:37
Anti-A380 FUD mostly. But why not. Airbus will soon get their share of problems with the aging A300 and A310 series, which they neglected too long to concentrate on the A380.
By: Bmused55 - 15th May 2004 at 17:18
They are going full steam ahead with the 7E7, with an entuirely new plane you cannot rush things. I say let them take their time and get it right.
By: BoeingforAirbus - 15th May 2004 at 16:21
Boeing should not go down the 747A route. It should put its money on the 7E7 and reduce the time frame of its production to ensure its in the air sooner than 2008.
By: Hand87_5 - 15th May 2004 at 16:03
Well, it sounds weird but why not. It appeears that the plan is to make a brand new plane , which will look from the outside like the 747! Why not.
Does the article say if they plan to have fly-by-wire commands?
By: Britannia - 15th May 2004 at 15:53
http://channels.aolsvc.co.uk/news/article.adp?id=20040515055009990002
By: Bmused55 - 15th May 2004 at 15:11
where does this information come from?
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May 15, 2004 at 2:41 pm