Re the 737 Max. I have zero issues getting on one. The most over tested and inspected and queried aircraft in the last few decades by far. Yes, Boeing stuffed up. Yes Boeing has some onegoing cultural issues endemic in this (and seem to have floated over to the 787 line in some respects) and they have a world of pain not only from the MAX crisis but the ongoing fallout of all of these things.
However this aircraft? I feel very confident about.
I was reading comments on (large well known social media site) regarding the announcement of the new Bonza LCC flop-to-be which will fly 7M8's and the amount of people ranting about the Max is somewhat surprising. In the end though, price will dictate that.
I wonder if the same people up in arms about the Max remember, for example, the 787 battery fires of 10 years ago, but have no issue getting on a QF Dreamliner today? Or go back to the development of the A320 in France back in the 80's where there were a number of crashes, some with pax on board. Nobody thinks twice about getting on one (I have a mate who used to carry around a piece of engine from one of these crashes in France he somehow got as reminder as to why avoid the 320 series. I think even he gave in and flies on them now
).
Now will the Max be a new Comet? Doesn't seem so. Been flying since last December with hundreds of flights daily and more and more coming on line without major incident. People too will forget this and get on them.
Sure I'll be aware, but I won't be alarmed or avoid it.
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re QF and airbus v boeing. This comes around every time a major order is on the cards. Previously I would have been confident that Boeing would be the winner - QF still has senior management wedded to Boeing for decades just became. However that loyalty is probably badly eroded by both the MAX issues and the now delays in the 777X program. Note how the A350-1000 selected for Sunrise is a clue.
There are valid arguments on both "sides" for the domestic fleet. Transition 737-800 -> 737 Max is quite straightforward. However the domestic A330 fleet, and pool of JQ crews with A3xx (plus any A380 tech crew still about) can use CCQ to transition to an A32x product. The 320s have a wider cabin and slightly longer range which may also be a factor. And, if QF decided to invest in the A350 fully then the 787's days may be numbered as they could then become a minority fleet type (and again international could CCQ between the 380-if it stays- and 350).
With 75 current 73H's on the park wanting replacement that is the bulk of QF tech crew trained on the 737, and Boeing will more or less want to throw them at QF - both to keep the association going, and the PR of keeping a major customer like QF on board, so a very good deal - and one presumes delivery slots would be easier to come by than the Airbus, and one could potentially phase in 737 Max for 737NG much more easily in terms of integration than mixing 32x and 737 (since you won't just swap the whole lot out overnight).
So, there are a bunch of factors involved here - even contemplating routes into the pacific and Asia from say PER and DRW to also consider (noting the 321LR order)
So, I can see this going either way. I would not at all be shocked to see it go airbus, but I think the 737 will probably wind up in QF livery. Just my tip.
