BA fleet developments: unconfirmed updates, speculation, and general discussion
Feb 26, 2021, 7:25 am
#271
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,264
Pilot37
Feb 26, 2021, 7:35 am
#272
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
Mid-J 747 —> A350-1000
High-J 747 —> 77W (New Club Suite Config)
77W (Old Config) + Expansion —> 777X
Feb 26, 2021, 7:40 am
#273
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 955
There's three things I consider unlikely to see in my lifetime: Torino FC winning the Serie A, peace in the Middle East and Boeing Charleston working decently. I mean, I'm hopeful but...
As much as I subscribe to the Plastic Pig moniker, the 788 and 789 have matured somewhat and are decent planes. BA, I believe, have gotten round using them properly. It's true, there's 18 more options on the -1000 but... it's still quite a large plane, with 320-something seats. If they were to replace the 77Es 1:1 BA would jump from the low 200 seaters of the 788 and 789 to 300 with nothing in the middle. That 78X could be a nice fit in the middle.
By the time it arrives (now they're saying 2023 for the launch customers, make it 2024-25 for BA) they'll need it.
As much as I subscribe to the Plastic Pig moniker, the 788 and 789 have matured somewhat and are decent planes. BA, I believe, have gotten round using them properly. It's true, there's 18 more options on the -1000 but... it's still quite a large plane, with 320-something seats. If they were to replace the 77Es 1:1 BA would jump from the low 200 seaters of the 788 and 789 to 300 with nothing in the middle. That 78X could be a nice fit in the middle.
By the time it arrives (now they're saying 2023 for the launch customers, make it 2024-25 for BA) they'll need it.
Feb 26, 2021, 7:47 am
#274
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
As much as I subscribe to the Plastic Pig moniker, the 788 and 789 have matured somewhat and are decent planes. BA, I believe, have gotten round using them properly. It's true, there's 18 more options on the -1000 but... it's still quite a large plane, with 320-something seats. If they were to replace the 77Es 1:1 BA would jump from the low 200 seaters of the 788 and 789 to 300 with nothing in the middle. That 78X could be a nice fit in the middle
Honestly, if it goes to campaign I think Airbus will lose. This is BA looking to replace 777s, Boeing will price AGGRESSIVELY to a point that I’m not sure Airbus 350 cost base might allow it to meet. But they very well might! Who knows?
WW has said many times. Airbus build fantastic aircrafts but they’re too expensive.
OR at best a split between the two frames.
I’ve never seen the 787s issues as a hindrance on it sales and the order book shows. It’s a fantastic aircraft and probably the most optimised widebody on the market and it will only get better as new engine options come online etc.
WW has said many times. Airbus build fantastic aircrafts but they’re too expensive.
OR at best a split between the two frames.
I’ve never seen the 787s issues as a hindrance on it sales and the order book shows. It’s a fantastic aircraft and probably the most optimised widebody on the market and it will only get better as new engine options come online etc.
Feb 26, 2021, 9:34 am
#275
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
The 359 hasn't won a lot of orders lately though and, although it has a great commonality with the 35K, it's a different model with some different parts and tooling. Never say never though, especially if they do a neo version (although times are a bit tight).
Feb 26, 2021, 10:16 am
#276
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
rb211.
Feb 26, 2021, 12:59 pm
#277
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 187
BA have pulled off the LGWEDI route which makes sense I think, it seems a bit odd though that from 23/5 all the LGW short hauls are selling on ba.com, i know it’s almost certain that none will return to LGW until s22, if ever? But what I find interesting is why act early on the LGWEDI by axing it yet keep kicking the can down the road with the other LGW shorthauls?
Feb 26, 2021, 4:22 pm
#278
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
BA have pulled off the LGWEDI route which makes sense I think, it seems a bit odd though that from 23/5 all the LGW short hauls are selling on ba.com, i know it’s almost certain that none will return to LGW until s22, if ever? But what I find interesting is why act early on the LGWEDI by axing it yet keep kicking the can down the road with the other LGW shorthauls?
I think there is an awful lot of uncertainty (SM) concerning which flights will be operating, from and to where, and by which planes, for the coming months. A couple of times BA has switched back and forth on several of these. The projections for when the other two LHR terminals will open have been ping-ponging around since the beginning of the year (well, since before then really.) The whole operations plan has a lot of moving parts, with many influencers. It's possible that things may firm up over the next couple of months (and the opposite is possible too!)
I don't have a good reason for this particular action, maybe others do. Or maybe there isn't one!
rb211.
Feb 27, 2021, 5:44 am
#280
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
BA have pulled off the LGWEDI route which makes sense I think, it seems a bit odd though that from 23/5 all the LGW short hauls are selling on ba.com, i know it’s almost certain that none will return to LGW until s22, if ever? But what I find interesting is why act early on the LGWEDI by axing it yet keep kicking the can down the road with the other LGW shorthauls?
Feb 27, 2021, 6:20 am
#281
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
Mar 4, 2021, 11:25 am
#282
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,595
The MAD parked 380's seem to be coming into Heathrow for general maintenance on a rotating basis in order to keep them airworthy and flight ready. I'm hearing the DOH parked 380's are unlikely to come back into service any time soon if ever. I'm also hearing today from a reliable source within the airline that despite recent rumours of the A380 Club Suite refits, these may not go ahead due to the significant cost involved in refurbishing these aircraft. An overall final decision has yet to be made.
Mar 4, 2021, 12:29 pm
#283
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,264
The MAD parked 380's seem to be coming into Heathrow for general maintenance on a rotating basis in order to keep them airworthy and flight ready. I'm hearing the DOH parked 380's are unlikely to come back into service any time soon if ever. I'm also hearing today from a reliable source within the airline that despite recent rumours of the A380 Club Suite refits, these may not go ahead due to the significant cost involved in refurbishing these aircraft. An overall final decision has yet to be made.
Pilot37
Mar 5, 2021, 3:02 am
#284
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
Not sure why BA would sign off on any A380 Club Suite refits as they were always slated to be the last aircraft to get them between 2023 / 2024 anyway - so signing off any approval on refurbishing them in the middle of a slum in air travel, which would represent an acceleration of their refit, would seem very strange! There are over half of the B777 fleet still to be refurbished and the older B772's have only 7 or 8yrs worth of flying left in them vs 15-20yrs for the A380 - so I think a dose of reality on what is sensible when it comes to the A380 fleet is probably worthwhile until we get past this awful period for the industry.
Pilot37
Pilot37
The 6 refurbished Qantas and around 10-15 at Singapore will likely see some service. China Southern seem to be using some of their 6 A380 fleet through Covid. Korean Airlines are in the process of buying Asiana, which would give a combined fleet of 16, so might have the passenger flows to support some A380s over the pacific and to Europe. Even if BA keep all 12 the likely active fleet in 2023 is no more than 45 outside the EK fleet. It's fortunate that EK operate RR and Engine Alliance versions which should keep the engine maintenance costs under control. History shows that small fleets are difficult to operate, maintain. The large premium cabins and small cargo capability of the A380 will also work against it in the recovery phase.
Mar 5, 2021, 4:02 am
#285
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,108
The 6 refurbished Qantas and around 10-15 at Singapore will likely see some service. China Southern seem to be using some of their 6 A380 fleet through Covid. Korean Airlines are in the process of buying Asiana, which would give a combined fleet of 16, so might have the passenger flows to support some A380s over the pacific and to Europe. Even if BA keep all 12 the likely active fleet in 2023 is no more than 45 outside the EK fleet. It's fortunate that EK operate RR and Engine Alliance versions which should keep the engine maintenance costs under control. History shows that small fleets are difficult to operate, maintain. The large premium cabins and small cargo capability of the A380 will also work against it in the recovery phase.