Originally Posted by
G-CIVC
Per a local forum, it seems that CX was a bit optimistic on the plane hitting EWR. Seems like there was a recent 899 that flew back with an empty belly (all bags offloaded)!
(feeling happy about anything that hints at lesser chance of ORD getting 350...hehehe)
There was
one flight (the inaugural) which suffered a reduction in passengers due to CX dispatching an aircraft with a spoiler MEL'd. All flights since then have hauled a consistent payload of over 35t, which means cargo is getting on the flight as well.
The A350-900 has no issue with full pax and bags to any city CX flies.
Originally Posted by
QRC3288
ha! I'm pleased to see this comment just based on some coincidental thinking. I was going to come and ask if CX was load restricting the plane and I saw your post.
The 359 is MTOW restricted on the route, as is the 77W. But as with the 777 only on additional cargo.
Originally Posted by
QRC3288
Prediction: CX will take the additional A359s they just swapped for (from the -1000) as the A350-900ULR. That's the variant designed for SQ's relaunch of EWR and LAX nonstop and coming next year, but Airbus is making all A359 orders and birds eligible for the up-gauge early next year. I believe even all regular A350-900s delivered from a certain date quite soon will be able to be up-gauged to the ULR version relatively easily. The Airbus guys were explaining it to me and it sounds like the airlines can make the decision relatively late in the game or even up-gauge an existing / eligible (aka delivered after a certain date) A350-900.
All post-2020 359s will be 280t, 5t more than current. There is no point in the ULR model for CX unless they are fuel load restricted, which they are not. The total fuel loaded on 899 is just under 100t (30 less than a 77W) and the current standard A359 is capable of maxing around 108t of fuel.