Originally Posted by
ElZilcho
Yep, as you said, no surprises there. They likely knew for quite some time but were deciding on engines. When the -TEN’s developer problems that would of sealed he deal for GE.
The A350 would of needed an incredibly sweet deal to cover the costs of a Simulator re-training and re-tooling.
As for the 777-X, I suspect we’ll look at them in the future but the -9 was just too big and too expensive as a -200 replacement while -8 is years away.
Exactly right. Considering the contenders:
- A330 wasn’t an option.
- A350 was going to cost too much as it would be ANOTHER fleet (A320, B789, B773, A350).
- 779X is only a couple of years away but is too big.
- 778X isn’t even on the horizon yet as they’re focusing on the 9X first.
- 788 is too small.
- 789 is slightly too small to replace B772.
- 787-10 is the right size and has a better range than the current B772 while delivering a 25% reduction in fuel burn.
It was pretty clear along time ago that it would most likely be 787-10s or additional -9s.
I would say say that this seals the deal for the 777X as the replacement for the 773. Otherwise if they thought they would go for the A350-1000 in the future, then they would have ordered the A359 as the B772 replacement.
One thing missing from the announcement was a code three B789 capable of NYC-EWR.