Are Boing gonna build the BIG mumma?

[1279shp]

Momentum is building for a go-ahead for the 747-ADV program.Last week, Boeing posted a firm but unannounced order for six more 747s--thought to be 747-400Fs--on its website. Executives indicated at the recent Paris Air Show that the company had secured enough orders--30--to carry 747 production through to the first 747-ADV in 2009. Not surprisingly, sources suggest that the customers for the 30 are also launch customers for the 747-ADV.

Boeing executives also said they have seen widespread interest in the 747-ADV for both the passenger and cargo version.

[akerosid]

It looks likely that they will, but even if they do, the new aircraft won't be much larger than the current -400. Indeed, the last I heard was that the 747A freighter is longer than the pax model. It wasn't quite clear to me why they would go with only a slightly longer model, when a minor reconfiguration might give them more J/F class seats. That said, of course, the new aircraft should allow a significant gain in range.

[ZK-NSJ]

i seem to recall about 10yrs back the md-12 been mooted, only problem is it is the same if not similar to the a380, were there any airbus design engineers going thru the trash cans at long beach after boeing moved in???, surely a double decker 747 is possible, if not one with an extended upper deck,

[rotornut]

1 + 1 + 6 = 8

8 - 5 = 3

3 firm orders for 747s through June 28, 2005: http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm

So where are the rest of the orders?

[LowObservable]

Two factors here.
One, Boeing still sees the market as quite small - 20 aircraft a year. This means they can't see themselves recovering a large investment in the Advanced. Result: a modest stretch + the 787 engines (GE only to save $) + some material changes + new wingtips. Gives you 777-300ER range and 25 per cent more seats than the 777-300ER.
Two, the 747 market is healthy enough to continue production - but that is in part a result of a rising market overall, combined with the fact that you can't get an A380 before 2010; and I'd bet that UPS and FedEx have A380F slots locked up longer than that.

[rotornut]

+ 6 = 9

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050705g.html