FlyerTalk Forums - Boeing looking at stretched 787 model

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Like LK and JS said in the last Houston 'DO, yes the 762 will be the first to go if they want them to go, like in an economic downturn or whatnot. But I think they can still be useful for developing new thin routes.

I think with this extra order and conversion, they put huge pressure on DL on the longhauls. The 787-9 can do Indian routes much cheaper than the 772ER/LRs (for both cost of plane and operation), and will be vastly more efficient than DL's aging 763 on European routes.

And I think we shouldn't rule out a possible return to the Australian market. The operation economics is very different between the 787-9 and the DC-10.

Here! It is official news releases from CO put additional 5x 787-9 & converts 12x from 787-8 to 787-9 and here it is:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070312/dam008b.html?.v=1

Quote:

Continental Airlines Increases Its Commitment to the Long-Range, Fuel- Efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Monday March 12, 9:00 am ET
First Airline in the Americas to Order the 787-9

HOUSTON, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL - News) today announced that it has increased its commitment to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising its firm order from 20 to 25 aircraft. By adding five 787-9 aircraft to its firm order, Continental is strengthening its ability to further modernize its fleet in the years ahead and unlocking additional international expansion opportunities.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070312/DAM008 )

In addition to increasing its firm order to 25 787s, Continental has converted 12 previously ordered 787-8s into 787-9s, for a total of 17 787-9 and eight 787-8 aircraft on firm order. Continental becomes the first airline in the Americas to order the 787-9, which will carry more passengers and fly further than the 787-8.

"Since we placed our initial 787 order in December 2004, we have become even more impressed with the 787 and its capabilities," said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO. "The increased size and range of the 787-9 will allow us to serve more cities with the lowest operating seat cost of any aircraft in our fleet. This is the second time we have increased our 787 order, and demonstrates our continued confidence in Boeing and the 787."

The Boeing 787 is the optimal aircraft to support Continental's strategy for continued international growth. With expanded range capabilities, unmatched fuel efficiency and superior operating economics, the 787s will allow the company to replace less efficient widebody aircraft, and target additional long-haul markets. The 787s will also give Continental the ability to offer more capacity on international routes that need larger aircraft to support traffic growth

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkkwan (Post 7387318)

And I think we shouldn't rule out a possible return to the Australian market.

LK said the Australia market takes a 500 seat airplane - like a 748 or A380 to be competitive. I do not see a return anytime soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cova (Post 7388292)

LK said the Australia market takes a 500 seat airplane - like a 748 or A380 to be competitive. I do not see a return anytime soon.

I don't thnk CO is resume to SYD anytime soon. :( You will probably wait for few years ahead when CO is reinstates to SYD put on 787-9 from IAH-SYD non-stop. It was too much demand on their routes to SYD. I don't see what happened with CO is returns to south pacific. It could be a good profitable from IAH-SYD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cova (Post 7388292)

LK said the Australia market takes a 500 seat airplane - like a 748 or A380 to be competitive. I do not see a return anytime soon.

But with the significantly lower operating cost for the 789, may be it can get competitive. I don't think it absolutely needs a big plane to run these routes - Air NZ flies 772ER, and AC will start their own with 772LR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkkwan (Post 7388484)

...and the 789 will have much better operating economics than either of those airplanes. It's been shown in other places that airlines could realistically expect to operate 2 789 flights in place of one A388 flight with the same operating costs. That means CO just bought 8.5 new 500+ seat airplanes they could operate SYD with.

Of course, SYD is such a poor yielding destination I'm not sure what the appeal there would be. CO wants J-heavy routes wherever they can find them, unless they feel the need to defend themselves in a popular Y market. SYD doesn't fall into either category though, unfortunately. Never say never...but don't say soon. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkkwan (Post 7388484)

You hit the key fact here: operating cost. The 787, especially with the larger -9 model, has seat costs similar/lower than the 744 (and maybe even match the new 748i) and beat the 380. That is why there hasn't been exactly a rash of orders for these larger planes recently, LH is the only one who has ordered the 748i (who also don't have orders for the 787), and well, people aren't exactly banging down the door to get the 380 since its initial rash of orders, whose economics have since been trumped by the 787.

With much lower costs, airlines can make some routes work with the 787 where previously, it was the domain of much bigger aircraft. It can fly more frequencies (convenience factor for biz travelers) to get the same number seats on the route.

What does this mean for CO and return to AU? Its possible, and maybe even profitable, but I think CO has bigger fish to fry first before thinking of flying IAH/LAX-SYD.