Speed (Mr.Boeing's entry) VS Capacity (Mr. Airbus' entry)
With everybody now having identified the main reason for ATC delays being RWY capacity, I don't see the Sonic Cruiser (New Boeing-Fast-Jet) having a major advantage. Not until more RWYs are built anyway. More, faster, smaller aircraft is not going to improve the situation much. It sounds to me that putting more self-loading-cargo onto each aeroplane and reducing the number of aeroplanes in the sky could help a little.
There is a market. But I see it limited to the direct routes via non-hub airports and on short to medium routes that are high capacity like from Wollongong to Vladivostock for instance. Provided (as has been said here) the premium is acceptable.
On the other hand. There will be self-loading-cargo that will be very happy to pay a premium to have their own first class cabin in the sky. Onboard the A380. Even if it means traveling an extra hour or two while you relax in comfort. I see the critical factor to be the amount of space airlines are going to give their A380 self-loading-cargo. Including the sardine-class.
With rising fuel prices, any new aeroplane is going to have to be very economical to have enough endurance to wait out the holds and spin the bucks.
But then again, history has proven that the greatest advances in technology doesn't happen until it is forced to happen. Either by war or by economics.
Gentlemen...you have a race. And its going to be interesting watching this one from the side line.
Skytalker
[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Skytalkert ]