Would love to know the terms being offered by the US on this…..Vietnam has a lot to gain by staying well in with the US all the same. I understand that there are quite a few embargoes on things that are close to being resolved between Vietnam and America and a deal such as this will surely help the Vietnamese side. We saw a similar scenario with the P.R.China back in the late 70s/early 80s, and we’ve also seen them involving certain countries that have ordered Airbus items. I don’t usually subscribe to the theory that politics governs every airline deal but I think in one or two it does. This MAY well be one of those cases. As to wether the 7E7 fits into
the Vietnamese fleet nicely, I don’t know enough about their future plans to comment on that, any information gratefully recieved.

If I was a “Boeing Nut” I would’nt start wringing my hands just yet! A friend of mine who is involved in aircraft brokerage reckons that its simply the new Indian Govts “cleaning of the slate” of the previous crowds doings. He still feels that there will still be an Airbus deal but maybe not involving brand new aircraft. That was all I could get out of him, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Wow man, great pics. Funnily enough I was also down there Sat AM picking up the latest addition to my model collection from the shop at the Skyline Hotel. Some problems on the M25/M11 meant that it took me around 3.30 hours to get home. Usually only takes 1.30! Nightmare.

I’m not argueing with THAT particular quote, that one I think is quite recent, being made on Boeings part with the benefit of hindsight! But I also say again that Boeing HAS in the past claimed that in their opinion there is no market for an aircraft of the A380s size! Lets not fall out on this point because it is a fact. Boeings PR empire has had to modify its stance over time just as AIs has also had to do. Lets at least be reasonable enough to admit that much, I don’t think that beistrich is totally wrong on this one.

Nice one Nasir, JALs new creation is very mundane and for me invokes nothing Japanese. Other than the registration!!

Sandy, Boeing have said many times in many differing ways that they feel there is no market for the A380, but then they would say that would’nt they.
But there does appear to be one after all, just as there appears to be same for the 7E7. IMO I still think that the continueing slot restrictions and overall congestion will vindicate AIs decision. But I also think that there is a place in the scheme of things for the Boeing product. How big each place is for the two products is yet to be seen, and I think that until we see some stability returning to the fuel markets and the industry in general then all bets could be off.

Great news! I don’t dislike the current Thai livery but perhaps the introduction of the A380 will be a good time to revise/replace it.

A beautiful craft!!!!!! I miss’em.