Speculation Boeing to announce new 747-8 customer at Farnborough

[markis10]

There is a bit of speculation around that Boeing is set to announce a new customer for the 747-8 in the next few weeks, possibly at Farnborough. It is believed they have up to three airlines looking at options.

 

[Major]

What are the major improvements/benefits of the 747-8 over the 747-400 ?

I assume there is a huge saving on fuel

 

[markis10]

What are the major improvements/benefits of the 747-8 over the 747-400 ?

I assume there is a huge saving on fuel

Its no doubt the first question asked from buyers:

Boeing has improved the operating costs of the 747-8 3.5% since the introduction of the first aircraft. The number might seem small, but it adds up to big money. A 3.5% improvement is a savings of about $1.94 million dollars per year per aircraft. The 747-8 is 16% more fuel efficient than the 747-400 – that’s $8.8 million per aircraft per year savings.

http://www.airlinereporter.com/2014...the-1500th-747-is-the-jumbo-jet-still-viable/

 

[zainman]

There is a bit of speculation around that Boeing is set to announce a new customer for the 747-8 in the next few weeks, possibly at Farnborough. It is believed they have up to three airlines looking at options.

Markis10 who are the 3 airlines in your opinion?

 

[UP4014]

If it happens, excellent news.

 

[harvyk]

Please be qantas, please be qantas, please be qantas... (trying to use jedi mind tricks on AJ )

 

[amaroo]

Please be qantas, please be qantas, please be qantas... (trying to use jedi mind tricks on AJ )

If AJ passes the hat around at the next board meeting they could probably buy one of these...might be extra to get it custom painted

 

[TomVexille]

Hopefully. It's a great looking airframe. Would love to keep seeing 747s into the distant future.

 

[NM]

Markis10 who are the 3 airlines in your opinion?

My guess is to look at current 747 operators who have not committed to A380, which is probably a small membership. I expect possibilities include CX, AI, GA, LY, JL, NZ, PR, SV (already an -8F customer), CI, BR, UA.

 

[dajop]

Would have to be Thai. It would add nicely to the diversity of their fleet and complete the 4 A350's they have on order

 

[UP4014]

Please be qantas, please be qantas, please be qantas... (trying to use jedi mind tricks on AJ )

Would certainly lift my opinion of QF's board, but doesn't change my view of AJ's decisions.

Matt

 

[markis10]

Markis10 who are the 3 airlines in your opinion?

My guess is to look at current 747 operators who have not committed to A380, which is probably a small membership. I expect possibilities include CX, AI, GA, LY, JL, NZ, PR, SV (already an -8F customer), CI, BR, UA.

I would not be surprised if they follow the pattern of the current customers in having a fleet mix of both A380 and 748s, with that in mind Qantas would be an obvious candidate. Having a local regulatory body that's conservative with EROPS helps.

 

[Himeno]

My guess is to look at current 747 operators who have not committed to A380, which is probably a small membership. I expect possibilities include CX, AI, GA, LY, JL, NZ, PR, SV (already an -8F customer), CI, BR, UA.

JL got rid of their 747s a few years ago and doesn't seem interested in getting more. CX looks to be happy with retiring 747s and replacing with 77Ws.
What airlines still have 747s, aren't replacing them with 777s, need to renew their VLA fleet soon and may be running a 747/A380 mixed fleet?
Only ones I can think of are QF, BA, KL, CX, VS or some government VIP order.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Hopefully. It's a great looking airframe. Would love to keep seeing 747s into the distant future.

Please be qantas, please be qantas, please be qantas... (trying to use jedi mind tricks on AJ )

It will be a sad day when there are no longer any QF 747s (or any others for that matter) in the skies. For pure design, presence and class it hands the A380 its cough!

 

[UP4014]

JL got rid of their 747s a few years ago and doesn't seem interested in getting more. CX looks to be happy with retiring 747s and replacing with 77Ws.
What airlines still have 747s, aren't replacing them with 777s, need to renew their VLA fleet soon and may be running a 747/A380 mixed fleet?
Only ones I can think of are QF, BA, KL, CX, VS or some government VIP order.

Lufthansa have 747s and 380s, but I think lean towards the 747s going on the numbers.

 

[dajop]

Only ones I can think of are QF, BA, KL, CX, VS or some government VIP order.

Not so sure about KL, flew them this week from SIN to DPS and back. Going over was a 772 in 3-3-3 but coming back it was a 77W in 3-4-3. Checking on seatguru, KL fits more seats into their 77W (425!!) than their 744's, so wonder if they'd bother with 747-800s.

 

[samh004]

I was just thinking about how great it would be for Qantas to retire their existing fleet of 744's and replace them with 748's earlier this week... so I do hope they are looking at this. I'm sure they could fit quite a few in a 4-class

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Makes for interesting speculation.

 

[Isochronous]

Why buy 748s if they won't exercise 789 options?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Why buy 748s if they won't exercise 789 options?

Flog off the flabby 388s which, on certain routes, they don't fill.