EK - Potential 787 order and company direction
 

Given the rumours persisting regarding an impending EK order, Im interested in what opinions might be regarding the closer co-operation across the airport along with the direction we seem to be taking in terms of airframes.
Inevitably some on here will turn this into an A v B or 4 v 2 debate, for me thats part and parcel, FWIW I think if there is a 787 or 350 order its a positive thing to match capacity with the market.
Over to the real experts out there.

I'm not an expert at all. But I got the impression it has noting to do with A versus B.

IMHO it's about Trumpmenistan (America First) versus Europe.

Surely it will be a case of swapping the remaining 380 orders for 350s if capacity is the problem for the foreseeable future? I'm not sure what price the 380s were negotiated for, but you'd think it would be somewhere in the order of 1.3 - 1.5 350s for every 380 that's due to be delivered?

Don't call me Surely...

787
 

There's a rumor saying the 787's or at least a part of them ( if the order is confirmed), would probably go under the FZ AOC.
Any info ?

787 - EK, not FZ
 

787 and 777 are commin type so I do not see 787 on FZ AOC.

Historically, legacy carriers trying to get into the low-cost market have not been very successful. BA tried a few years ago with Go.

Then again, in many ways, EK resembles a low-cost carrier anyway.

Qantas with Jetstar and Korean Air with JinAir seem to be doing fairly well in the low cost market. As an outsider of the ME, my perception is that FlyDubai is a low cost carrier and that the majority of EK's work is as a glorified slaveship.

A350 is a very capable airplane and converting A380s to A350s would fit the requirement while wiggling out of an embarrassing over order on the Whale.

787, nice jet but that's just another expenditure when cutbacks are clearly a priority and would leave the A380 over order in place.

J

https://www.thenational.ae/business/aviation/sheikh-ahmed-emirates-to-decide-on-boeing-or-airbus-multibillion-dollar-order-1.616098

Definitive confirmation of order - though type still not stated.

Emirates 787's ...operated by flydubai. Not too far fetched these days.

Muller has been heard saying the 350 is too big for their needs. 787 is a better size. 380 start to reach 12 years old as of 2020 and will start to retire( 2022/3 more likely) when the 777x starts to arrive. All Boeing by @ 2030. Just a guess.

Putting some or all of the 787/350 under Fly Dubai also allows the revision of T+C's for new joiners or those being upgraded.

Putting some or all 787 under Fly Dubai hampers one of its greatest assets for EK: MFF with the 777 family. This is a huge advantage in terms of daily flexibility (and at the same time hints against a 350 fleet).
As long as there are many EK routes prone to such flexibel deployment for different sized aircraft, i guess the 787 will be flown under EK flag.

On top of that, there is no MFF (at the moment) between 787 and 737.
There might however be some FZ routes permitting 787s, but those routes might be changed to EK before FZ would get a small numbered additional fleet.

This might sound bad for FZ pilots. I have always advocated for a start at FZ for cadets and new skippers in Dubai, with a swap to EK after a few years. This would take out jealousy and politics in pilot-staffing, would increase experience in this region and therefore overall airmanship in the group, plus it would be the more flexibel and therefore cheaper solution.

Hope you do not go 787, terrible plane to fly in as a passenger in my experiance.


Regards
Mr Mac

As a whale driver, I really don't mind (care) what EK orders. I do care about all my colleagues at EK and if the 787 makes the 777 drivers happier, then that's great (although they do often say that the 777 is such a superior aircraft to fly, so why change?).

If the 787 comes, that means that the 777 drivers will be slightly happier on the newer equipment to the same, same old destinations that the whale can't operate into. If however the A350 comes then a few bus drivers will look forward to flying this elegant beast while helping out the superior drivers with their non A380 destinations, although flying to the prime twin engine (newest shiny jet) destinations.

Either way everyone is happy. Bring on the 787 = whale drivers continue as planned (happy) while PRUne becomes a 787 is/isn't better than a 777 thread. If the A350 comes then the 777 drivers get some relief while the latest and greatest A350 takes the prime twin routes/destinations.

Either way it makes absolutely no difference to the monthly pay check or the size of most drivers family jewels.

Enjoy your coming weekend..

J

John Deere drivers be careful what you wish for. Think about the destinations and use of a smaller gauged aircraft. But then again, we're the smaller gauged aircraft now, so Imguess, bring it on. Maybe it's the Airbus guys that should worry if the 350 is the choice. Dual qual for 380/350?

They already ordered enough for next 20 years and need more? Which aviation management school these guys attended.

The one that says you need to replace old aircraft? Bar 15 380s everything on the books now are replacement aircraft.

What Don says is well worth bearing in mind for any F/O joining now.