OK so you all know that Boeing’s pitching 787s to Qantas, and that Airbus is countering with A350s.
But Boeing’s big gun in this fight may be the 777-200LR. The Australian http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,16950165-462,00.html reports that Qantas may put an all-business-class configuration into a 777-200LR, which would allow it to fly Sydney-to-London non-stop both ways. (The Worldliner has the range to fly 300 passengers London-to-Sydney, but couldn’t make it back because of headwinds.)
Key Quote: “It is understood the flying kangaroo is looking at the 777-200LR, which would have far fewer passengers in an all-business configuration, with a lighter interior and possibly additional fuel capacity to allow it to cope with headwinds on the marathon Sydney-London leg.”
In the meantime, the Australian Associated Press says http://afr.com/articles/2005/10/20/1129775894066.html Qantas will decide whether to buy Boeing or Airbus at its Dec. 7 board meeting.
Key Quote: “In August, Qantas said it was considering a number of options including Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft for use on medium-haul international, trans-Tasman and Australian domestic routes. It was also mulling ‘ultra-long range’ variants of the Boeing 777 and Airbus A340 to operate on hub-busting routes.”
The AAP says Qantas will spend up to $20 billion Australian on the order — or about 15 billion U.S. dollars.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
