Boeing has kicked off the Le Bourget air show with the official launch of the 737Max 10 with lessor orders from BOC Aviation, CALC, CDB Aviation and GECAS, as well as TUI (see News below). More orders are expected to be announced throughout today and the rest of the week since Boeing says the Max 10 has orders from ten customers. Although some of the orders are conversions, the steady stream of announcements planned for today in the Boeing Media Chalet show the manufacturer is pushing to own this show, at least for today. Airbus announced the launch of the A380plus yesterday and one jumbo order from Gecas for the A320neo (see News below), which pushes Airbus ahead on orders to date (10.38am as I write).
Boeing claims the 737 MAX 10 will have the “lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced,” predicting a five percent lower trip costs and five percent lower seat-mile costs.
"The 737 MAX 10 extends the competitive advantage of the 737 MAX family and we're honored that so many customers across the world have embraced the outstanding value it will bring to their fleets," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister. "Airlines wanted a larger, better option in the large single-aisle segment with the operating advantages of the 737 MAX family. Adding the 737 MAX 10 gives our customers the most flexibility in the market, providing their fleets the range capability, fuel efficiency and unsurpassed reliability that the 737 MAX family is widely known for."
Design changes for the 737 MAX 10 include a fuselage stretch of 66 inches compared to the 737 MAX 9 and levered main landing gear. The airplane has the capacity to carry up to 230 passengers. Other changes include a variable exit limit rating mid-exit door, a lighter flat aft pressure bulkhead and a modified wing for low speed drag reduction. The 737 MAX 10 incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays, and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.
Yesterday, Airbus presented a development study for an enhanced A380, the “A380plus”. The study includes aerodynamic improvements in particular new, large winglets and other wing refinements that allow for up to 4% fuel burn savings. Added to an optimised A380 maintenance programme and the enhanced cabin features first shown at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in April, the overall benefit is a 13% cost per seat reduction versus today’s A380, according to calculations from Airbus.
“The A380plus is an efficient way to offer even better economics and improved operational performance at the same time,” says John Leahy, Airbus COO Customers. “It is a new step for our iconic aircraft to best serve worldwide fast-growing traffic and the evolving needs of the A380 customers. The A380 is well-proven as the solution to increasing congestion at large airports, and in offering a unique, passenger-preferred experience.”
The new winglets measure approximately 4,7 metres in height (an uplet of 3.5m, and a downlet of 1,2m) and are designed to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.
The optimised cabin layout based on the ‘cabin enablers’ presented at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), allows up to 80 additional seats: redesigned stairs, a combined crew-rest compartment, sidewall stowage removal, a new nine-abreast seat configuration in premium economy and 11-abreast in economy.
The A380plus will have an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 578 tonnes providing the flexibility of carrying up to 80 more passengers over today’s range (8,200nm), or flying 300nm further.
The A380plus features longer maintenance check intervals, a reduced six-year check downtime, and systems improvements, which will reduce maintenance costs and increase aircraft availability.
Likely this update is out of date by the time it reaches your inbox as the orders are coming thick and fast – its turning out to be a stellar show. Don’t forget your sunblock!