No, seriously, where is it?  This is an aircraft that conversations began on in 2004.  It’s 2010 and I still don’t really know much about the aircraft despite being a keen industry observer. 

Mind you, I’ve heard the range promises and the seat costs promises but I haven’t seen the meat.  In fact, isn’t it a bit distressing that this aircraft is cloaked in so much secrecy that we still don’t know its final definition?  The few facts we have heard have actually originated from the few airlines that have ordered the aircraft in numbers.  Those facts haven’t been entirely good either. 

When Emirates starts talking about how the 777-300 still has an advantage, you might have a problem.  This is an airline that loves to play the two majors off each other.  Ordinarily, I’d expect Emirates to be trying to goad Boeing into building something new or something revised. 

Still, it’s time to start talking about this aircraft in more detail rather than with John Leahy’s rosy marketing promises.  It’s time to start hearing more about its real capabilities and how it will compete in the real world with the 787 and 777.   Right now, I really don’t know much at all and that really makes me question whether an entry into service for 2013 is even remotely possible at this point.

Filed under: Aircraft Development by ajax