Comments on: Boeing to study 777-8X tweaks to meet Qantas’s Project Sunrise challenge

By: Craigy

Craigy — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 23:43:30 +0000

The second dreamliner named Waltzing Matilda was delivered to Melbourne on 9 December. The fourth aircraft ZND, will commence assembly soon and should be on the flightline in early January.

By: Andrew Ferguson

Andrew Ferguson — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 23:57:55 +0000

Boeing just reported that the second Boeing 787-9 airframe VH-ZNB has now completed two test flights and is ready for delivery with official handover set for Tuesday 12th next week (US West Coast time). . The next airframe iNH-ZNC s due for delivery on 22nd January 2018 and is already built and is in Pre-Preparation for first flight. The final Boeing 787-9 of the initial four aircraft is due for delivery on 15th February 2018. This will enable the launch of the MEL-PER-LHR route in March 2018.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:20:13 +0000

That long in an aircraft doesn’t appeal to me. Just perfect the art of the ‘stopover’ Singapore is good for that….

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 08:25:19 +0000

The article confirming Qantas’ selection of the 777-8 may as well be published now. No doubt they are only using the soon to be produced A359ULR to get Boeing to improve their payload.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 07:39:08 +0000

@Rocket

I haven’t said that the sky will fall in. If you read my post, I’ve actually said that they should be able to accommodate wider seats in the 777X than they can in current 777 models and still maintain 10 abreast seating, due to the wider cabin. So in other words, no problem.

Don’t forget – the current 777 cabin width is narrower than the 747.

So if you’re taking about the 747-238B at 10 abreast, it still would be roomier than a current 777 at 10 abreast. As far as the sky not falling in, the 747-238B Kangaroo route sectors in the 70’s and 80’s were mainly SYD-SIN-BAH-LHR or similar. There were at least 2 stops to get off the plane and stretch your legs. Each flight sector was approx only 7 hours.

Even when the 747-400 came in it was still 1 stop and the sectors were up to around 12 hours on the Kangaroo route and 14-15 non stop across the Pacific

Compare that to what is being proposed – a 20+ hour non stop marathon. If economy does have 18 inch seat width and a decent pitch – the convenience of a non stop would make it bearable.

If seat width is 17 inches with a 31 inch pitch then the sky may not fall in, but I can’t imagine it would be a very pleasant 20 hours.

However if you think it will be comfortable – go ahead and book it when the time comes. Personally I’d rather fork out for Premium Economy or Business.

By: Ewan

Ewan — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 05:15:16 +0000

Qantas purchase both 777-8, 777-9 or Airbus a350 for passenger comfort… i would not fly with Qantas if they operated a similar configuration to the Qatar 787-8. Qantas should keep its A380 till a neo version is released and purchase that! It might no have the range but it has comfort! Wide body aircraft are the way to go…so i guess you could fly on the 777-9

By: Rocket

Rocket — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 05:01:41 +0000

@ Ben
I remember when the 747-238B came along and had 9 abreast seating. Within a few years it was changed to 10 abreast and everyone was saying the same thing about it being the end of long haul travel but for years after, every 747 had 10 abreast economy seating and the sky didn’t fall in.

By: Craigy

Craigy — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 01:28:31 +0000

All this talk of configuration of the aircraft at this stage is a waste of energy. Qantas have said they are looking for an aircraft that can carry an economical payload with around 300 seats. How that breaks down in four classes is yet to be publicly announced.

Qantas is also working with UniSyd on fatigue, comfort etc for long haul flying. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this research.

I disagree with the comments on the variety of aircraft in the fleet. The current fleet mix matches the markets Qantas operates in at the moment. How the fleet changes in the future will be based on market need.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:48:55 +0000

@Ash and @David McGrath, I may be wrong but I think the 777X models will have a wider interior cabin width than current 777 models. I think I remember reading somewhere that the 777x could be configured with 10 abreast and 18 inch wide seats in economy.

Having said that, wider cabin or not, I do agree 9 abreast would be a lot more pleasant on such a long flight.

I think economics are winning out over comfort these days. On such marginal sectors though where payload will still probably need to be traded for range to some extent, you just never know.

Unfortunately I think they’ll probably keep it similar to the 787. Focus on Business and premium economy to make a smaller than standard overall passenger capacity – but still try and squeeze in as many the economy seats as possible.

Until they have firm plans though – one can live in hope.

By: David McGrath

David McGrath — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 22:38:27 +0000

As QANTAS have configured 787 9 with 9 abreast for ultra long haul it would be reasonable to assume that they would do 10 abreast on the 777 if the configured them with a standard economy cabin. Comfort doesn’t make dollars and their ultra long haul is about a”premium” on fares.