LH seeks the A320NEO

Lufthansa has a huge engineering and logistics side to it’s business. It is far less of a problem for them to support multiple fleet types that other small/large airlines would not.

You can have LHT look after your B777, and they don’t even – directly – operate the type. 🙂

I don’t see this order for the A320NEO ruling out any future acquisition of a new Boeing narrow-body.

They will. LH have a history of buying small fleets (20 to 30) of various different types for different roles.

Interesting description…. “win”. Makes it sound like it’s a competition between Boeing and Airbus when in reality this order was only ever going to be an A320 order.

Well…. I would have said more a competition between Airbus and Bombardier.

Lufthansa already has some CSeries on the order book – interesting they didn’t go for more.

In this particular case I think that’s a very strong possibility. 😉 🙂

Well, at least here I get a reasoned response.
On A.net I would get verbally torn apart for saying what I have here.

…. but it is possible that Boeing pitched the successor to the 737 to Lufthansa…..

Boeing recently said they haven’t decided on a replacement or re-engine and might not till the end of the year. So it’s extremely unlikely they tendered anything to LH.

I’d also imagine this order was not put out to tender, rather a “we need more planes to replace our older A320s, call Airbus and order some up” type affair.

Perhaps I’m too pedantic

In this particular case I think that’s a very strong possibility. 😉 🙂

To win an order implies a competition. This further implies LH was seriously considering alternatives (B737NG)
They were not.

You don’t know that they where only considerind the A320NEO. Certainly the 737NG won’t have been seriously considered, but it is possible that Boeing pitched the successor to the 737 to Lufthansa. Lufthansa might have been tempted by that plane.

Which leads to an interesting set of options:
1) The “new Boeing” was not offered to Lufty;
2) The “new Boeing” was offered to Lufty, but they considered the A320NEO to be better for them (not to be mistaken with: “the new Boeing” is inherently inferior, before I start that sh!t-storm).

It would be interesting to find out if Boeing offered their new design, or only the 737NG… assuming they even made a serious offer to begin with.

Don’t get me wrong.
Orders are orders. But this (when it happens) is not a victory.
To win an order implies a competition. This further implies LH was seriously considering alternatives (B737NG)
They were not.
A320 short haul fleet = Additional A320s will be ordered.

My dislike for this “win an order” phrase is aimed at the media, not Airbus or LH.
Perhaps I’m too pedantic, but I do detest when something is made out to be more than it is.

However, I get the feeling Airbus will be trumpeting it to the highest levels when announced (Which is to be expected).
I’d also put money on the order being announced at Le Bourget. Airbus almost always save the first 6 months of order announcements for the air shows.

A.net is full of “Congratulations Airbus” and “Well done” comments. As if it’s a genuine surprise and a hard fought campaign.
Makes me laugh more than frown.

Agreed, an Airbus order from LH is hardly news.

Interesting description…. “win”. Makes it sound like it’s a competition between Boeing and Airbus when in reality this order was only ever going to be an A320 order.
The A320 comprises the bulk of LH’s shorthaul fleet. Therefore it’s not realy a win is it? LH renew their fleet often and ordering the 737NG would be silly.

I’m also told this has absolutely nothing to do with the NEO itself. LH would have ordered 30 or so A320 this year, regardless. Makes no sense ordering an older product.

Still, PR is PR. Leahy will surely be tarting this one up to his usual standards.