From memory UA operated AKL-LAX for a while with the 772ER - even had an engine failure and a long 3+ hour diversion on the one donk once...

My point was that even though the Boeing aircraft have a better match to Qantas needs, the Airbus is being offered at a price which is impossible to refuse. At the end of the day, if the aircraft cost so much less to finance, then QF will find a way of operating them that makes a greater profit.

I personally want to see the 777 and 787 arrive, however from my info it seems a reasonable chance that there will be more Buses than Boeings.

Just hope I am wrong.:ok:

Not about to get embroiled in an A-vs.-B match (I have personal opinions and they'll stay that way), I do wonder if Southern Africa and South America ops direct Sydney figure at all? At 207 min ETOPS, the Great Circle mapper indicates that more than two engines would be required.

(hope this link works:)

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=Y...YLE=&ETOPS=207

But EZE has gone and JNB is a 744 route anyway, so it may not make that much of a difference. In any case, if Airbus is selected, I think it will be A350s, not A340s. Airbus has already said that the 345 can't do SYD-LHR.

That said, Airbus is certainly competing on price, with some reports of $85m for A350s, which - for an aircraft to be delivered about 5 yrs down the road, is peanuts; one might even suggest it's dumping and with the whole fracas over Airbus subsidies, that might be something which could fly back in Airbus's face. But leaving that thorny issue aside, there was an interesting broadside from Qantas's good friend, Mr. T Clark of Emirates, where he said that while the 350 looks very good on paper, the airline's recent experience of Airbus products - performance undershoots and delivery overshoots - caused them to hesitate and that could be the same for QF. Has QF's experience of Airbuses been that good; (in fairness, part of this is that the A332 was never operated in its major strength area - long haul).

With the 340 out of the running, I can still see 773ERs and -200LRs, but the big battle will be between the 787-9/10 and the A350-900; very aggressive pricing may help the 350, but QF still needs a domestic replacement for the 763, for which the 783/788 would be a far better fit.

Just under a fortnight to go ...

Tickle me Pink,

I sympathize with the QF pilots. It may be that they can't see the wirting on the wall, but it may be more like 89 when the pilots were outmanouvered by a deeper thinking tactician. And please guys no lengthy discourse on 89. The comment is not intended to provoke argument yet again on that era.

I hate to say it, but Dixon is clever, and will screw the pilots. If they want to work in Oz, then it's play by his rules. It may mean less money, but at least you live and work here, and from someone who has worked off shore for years, there's no place like home, and almost at any price.

I may even come back home and fly for Jetstar.

As Kerry Packer says, "He who has the gold makes the rules". It's a simple philosophy and one with which Dixon appears to be well familiar.

WRONG WRONG WRONG - just as well it is a rumour network

:cool: :cool:

So where are they going Orville??


You started it, so give us a tip.

They are getting another 76 to commence double daily services Tokyo Cairns next year.

Qantas is withdrawing from the route.

CX has just ordered 16 777-300ERs and options on 20 more, and they threw in 3 A330s for good measure.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/ab...132261,00.html