It’s just about made its way across the Florida peninsula as it tracks NE. Winds are about 105 mph, having died down from the original 127 mph. It’ll pick up more strength as it makes it’s way off shore. It looks like Daytona Beach is getting it now.

But this numbers are right. Any proplem with the truth?

But your numbers have nothing to do with efficiency. All you are quoting is range and payload, nothing about how long it takes to get their and how much fuel it’ll burn in the process. It’s like comparing a 739 vs. A318 or A321 vs. 736.

to 737-700 vs: A319

“737-700 – Range with 126 pax 2852km (1540nm) or 6037km (3260nm) for HGW version.”

A319: “Speeds similar to A320. Range at 64 tonne (141,095lb) takeoff weight 3391km (1831nm), range at 75,500kg (166,450lb) takeoff weight 6845km (3697nm)”

From airliners.net

None of that has to do with efficiency.

Fuel efficiency can frequently be a factor.

However… the price your getting offered often has a bigger, overriding, factor.

for excample: if your going to save say £12million per aircraft on the price tag of its competitor, that adds up to a lot when you order say 20 aircraft.

Initial cost is a one time savings where as operational costs are reoccurring for the life of that airframe. US Airways is looking at a $750 Million increase in fuel costs over the next 12 months. Any costs they saved by going for a cheaper albeit more operationally expensive aircraft are eliminated.

Northwest airlines has been operating the same DC-9’s for about 30 years. What would have been the bigger savings over those 30 years? A cheaper airplane or a more efficient airplane?

The shortterm bonus of a cheaper airplane is even more shortterm now in our current high fuel price era.

It would seem that the problems plaguing the 747 future would also plague any large 4 engine aircraft. The fuel burn on 4 engines will always be more than that of 2 engines. With oil nearing $50/barrel airlines are really starting to dread even the smallest disadvantage of a higher fuel burn. The 737NG’s are more efficient than that of the A320 family which means that over a given year the 737NG operator will burn less gas than that of a competing A320 fleet. Fuel is the biggest variable and those that have the advantage there will win.

I just don’t think this is a good time to be introducing or even selling large 4 engine aircraft.

And I’m off sitting at home. 😀