Should Qantas have bought the Airbus A350 instead of the Boeing 787?
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Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Should Qantas have bought the Airbus A350 instead of the Boeing 787?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Should Qantas have bought the Airbus A350 instead of the Boeing 787?
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
Should Qantas have bought the Airbus A350 instead of the Boeing 787? Have your say here..!
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 182
Wish it was the A350...much better plane.
freshthoughts
freshthoughts
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Aug 2016
Total posts 112
Gswift
Gswift
Member since 09 Jun 2017
Total posts 1
The A350 a better plane? It was built on the coat tails of all the hard work Boeing put in to produce a stunning aircraft and open a new era.
StudiodeKadent
StudiodeKadent
Member since 20 May 2015
Total posts 109
That's an overstatement. At armrest level the A350 is only about 3 inches wider than the 787 and can only reach 18" seat width because the armrests are slimmed to 1.5" (rather than the 2" used in the 787). The A350 does have a lot more shoulder space for those sitting in window seats though, I concede.
In addition, do remember that the 787-9 provides Qantas with an A330 replacement. The A350 is a great jet but its more of a 777 replacement than anything else. QF operated 747s and A330s... the 787-9 can replace A330s on a more-or-less 1-to-1 basis, whereas the A350 would've been too big to do so. Both jets can replace the 747s by adding frequencies, however the 787-9 could replace smaller jets more easily.
MattJelonek
MattJelonek
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 90
The claws come out! 😂
Chris_PER
Chris_PER
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 19 Feb 2014
Total posts 90
And more fuel efficient..
Bob Burgess
Bob Burgess
Member since 13 Sep 2016
Total posts 49
Except that the Boeing 787 was ordered a decade before the Airbus A350 started to fly so Qantas didn't really have a "B787 vs A350?" choice at that stage did they? Anyway Qantas is looking at the A350ULR for non-stop Sydney-New York and Sydney-London so you may still get your wish. But the Boeing 787 is a massive fleet replacement play not just for the Boeing 747s but also the Airbus A330s, international and domestic, I suppose you "armchair CEOs" think Qantas should have waited another 10 years for the A350 and done what in the meantime?
freshthoughts
freshthoughts
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Aug 2016
Total posts 112
I suppose you "armchair CEOs" think Qantas should have waited another 10 years for the A350 and done what in the meantime?
ordered some 777's a decade ago like the rest of the major carriers. the 777er's have a big rage could have done perth-london a long time ago
ajstubbs
ajstubbs
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Mar 2016
Total posts 117
777 has been a great plane for airlines but for pax comfort, it doesn't cut the mustard now, with the A380, A350 and B787 - I would never use it for long range flying but that's just me.
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 182
The A350 is the closest thing to the A380-which is unsurpassed for passenger comfort.
Not taking anything away from 787 but merely saying Airbus have always produced aircraft which are more pax friendly.
1. Super quiet over sound proofed in case of A380...in fact some pilots complained it was too quiet!
The A350 will not be as soundproofed as the A380 but is still quieter that any 787 variant.
2. Better air humidity levels
3. Lower cabin altitude pressure settings
These 3 things combined especially for long haul and ultra long haul travelers such as us Aussies make a WORLD of difference for pax, esp those frequent flyers.
As for the 777 I avoid it like the plague on long or ultra long haul. Boeing has generally created aircraft to satisfy airline bean counters and Airbus has done so more for a superior passenger experience. Need a balance but Airbus is still the winner overall, albeit Boeing is almost on par.
My 2 cents:)
crwilkins
crwilkins
Qantas
Member since 02 May 2016
Total posts 29
Words from a pilot friend of mine, "the economics of the 787 far surpass the A350 in the slot pairs most airlines want that size airplane for", Airbus do build aircraft of greater pax comfort than Boeing but they have to get the economics right....let's not forget A380, airlines won't buy purely on comfort.
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
Everyone keeps talking down the 777, but remember it was designed in the early 90's, killed off the A340 and revolutionised twin engine air travel. Amazing aircraft and I'm sure the new variant will be every bit as successful.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 731
That's an overstatement. At armrest level the A350 is only about 3 inches wider than the 787 and can only reach 18" seat width because the armrests are slimmed to 1.5" (rather than the 2" used in the 787). The A350 does have a lot more shoulder space for those sitting in window seats though, I concede.
In addition, do remember that the 787-9 provides Qantas with an A330 replacement. The A350 is a great jet but its more of a 777 replacement than anything else. QF operated 747s and A330s... the 787-9 can replace A330s on a more-or-less 1-to-1 basis, whereas the A350 would've been too big to do so. Both jets can replace the 747s by adding frequencies, however the 787-9 could replace smaller jets more easily.
Packetman21
Packetman21
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jul 2016
Total posts 68
Firstly, I found the 787 quieter for some reason. It just doesn't have that A320 sounding engine on it like the A350.
Secondly, Qantas got a very good deal for the 787. Early delivery slots and extremely good price. A350 deliveries for be further back with first delivery around at the earliest, 2019. I don't think the 747s will last till then, even if they do, the costs involved to keep them flying.
At the end of the day, they are getting the 787s, full stop. Stop playing armchair CEO. (Which I basically just did 😂)