Why don't airlines go for new B744's?

Originally posted by Interflug62M
Matthew I totally agree with you there, She’ll be around a while yet as she should be. But I still think its time we saw a totally new “Big Ship” from Boeing. Or even licence production of the A380????

Boeing would rather shut its shop than licence produce the A380!:p

Matthew I totally agree with you there, She’ll be around a while yet as she should be. But I still think its time we saw a totally new “Big Ship” from Boeing. Or even licence production of the A380????

Yeah true Interflug62M, the B747 will start to become less popular and just fade away.

I’m not sure of the answer to this one. Could it just be that the 747, grand though she is, has just technically and economically run her course? Its an old design and you can only wring so much out of those.

Bhoy

(I know Swiss hasn’t ordered any A380s, though they have ordered A340s, I was talking of A380s for EK and QR and A340s for LX)

Anyway this debate gives me my answer, thanks!

Re: Why don’t airlines go for new B744’s?

Originally posted by Travelking
But why don’t airlines like EK, LX or QR order any new B744s. Those guys have placed huge orders for A380s, why not try B744s for their passenger service?

Swiss haven’t ordered any A380’s. And Swissair retired all their 743’s in the mid 90’s (they never operated the 744). They’re currently phasing out the MD-11’s and replacing them with A340-300’s, leaving them with a longhaul fleet of 332’s and 343’s, and a shorthaul fleet of predominatly 32S’s, with various ERJ’s thrown in (and a couple of S20’s… the ARJ’s are to be phased out when the ERJ700’s arrive).

Yep true comment, personally i think its good, Airbus have a good range of aircraft and doing pretty well at the moment!!!

Originally posted by dartie
Yep Qantas have recieved all 6 B744ER on order no more at the present time!!!

Qantas has ordered 12 A380s and 13 A330s so this last lot of 744ERs is probably the last time they will order the type unless they bring out a higher capacity longer range model in the near future.

Yep Qantas have recieved all 6 B744ER on order no more at the present time!!!

Just looking in last months ALW Mag:

Qantas had a 747-400ER delivered and China Airlines had a 747-400F delivered.

If QR is Qatar Airways, then QR wouldn’t go for the B744 as they are an loyal Airbus customer, plus if they did operate the B744 their operating cost would go up and also their training as Airbus aircraft have a good comonolity and are similar with each, maybe not alot similar but enough (“SO TO SPEAK”), but their was roomers at one stage when QR was looking at theB777

Extending one of the points there, many European and American airlines strategies now focus on operating aircraft such as the A340 or 777 more, placing stress on frequency over capacity. Really it is a sign that passenger carriers now do not see as greater market for the 747 as before so the segment is much smaller.

Airlines still do, albeit in small numbers.

KLM had a new one delivered just last year. And then KLM had 2 new B747ERFs, AF has had a few as well and QANTAS too. Those are just the ones I can think of right not.

Basically two reasons that sales have become sluggish:
* the economy does not really favour really very large aircraft now. Many airlines see surviving as their first priority, buying new very large aircraft is very risky. Buying a smaller A330 or B777 is more prudent.
* Maybe other airlines are waiting to see how the A380 will perform. If favourable they may get the A380, and otherwise the B744 will still be available. Also, maybe the airlines are waiting for Boeings response to the A380. A update of the B744? (and I mean a bit more extensive an update then just adding ER)