787 Taxi Testing
ZA001 could roll out of Stall 105 as early as this evening in Everett under its own power for a slow lap around Paine Field. However, another source indicates that if you’re around KPAE first thing tomorrow, you may see something special. I’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Backlogs Shmacklogs
Richard Aboulafia has this nasty habit of making a heck of a lot of
sense. Richard weighs in on the importance, or lack thereof, of the
backlogs held by Airbus and Boeing. His monthly newsletter, which can
typically be found on his website, is particularly illuminating. Here’s his June edition. It’s absolutely worth a thorough read. Here’s the key quote:
If the backlog mattered at all, how would new orders be
even remotely consequential? Instead of orders, we need traffic, and
aside from show attendees, you weren’t going to find it at Le Bourget.
It’s a simple and timeless equation. When airlines make money, they
order planes. If they keep making money, they take delivery of those
planes.
Hello Australian Open Skies
Delta’s 777-200LR touched down in Sydney this morning from Los Angeles after flying across the pacific as DL17. The airline’s inaugural US-Australian service marks the second US carrier to enter the market in AGES and the fourth overall after following V Australia. I’m exceedingly curious to see what the DOT Form 41 data shows later this year with United’s 747-400 against Delta’s 777-200LR. Unfortunately, it only covers US airlines, because throwing the QANTAS A380 and the V Australia 777-300ER data would make for one heck of a comparison.
Methinks it will might be time for REAL a fleet renewal, United.
New 787 Tally
In case you were keeping count, Boeing holds 850 orders from 56 customers for 787. That includes the starting tally of 865, minus the 15 787-9s canceled by QANTAS. That number also includes the five previously unidentified 787-8s from ANA.
Facebook
I’m on Facebook! I’ve actually been on since 2004, but now I have a FlightBlogger-specific account. You can find me at: http://www.facebook.com/flightblogger. I need to get the profile up and running completely, but feel free to drop me a message over there if you’re so inclined.
This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.
This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.