777-8NG - Competitive Upgrading Of The Boeing 777

The Boeing 777 is on top of its market. It has relegated the A340 to minimal orders already. But here comes the A350XWB challenge in 4 years time. If this A350XWB airliner starts commercial service, it will drastically reduce the 777's new order rates. Unless Boeing makes a 777-8NG, or a new 7107 that will stradle the 777 and 747-400 market.

What would make a 777-8NG competitive to the A350XWB?

1. New engines - GEnx technology to the GE90-115B that may result in 5% better fuel burn

2. New composite wings - lighter and more efficient that may result in 5% better efficiency, that may be used later on the new 7107

3. Attic utilization - to increase seat numbers thereby reducing seat-mile costs

4. Fuselage modification - to decrease weight and better aerodynamics

5. UAV technology for better gate to gate efficiency

Bombardier CS - New Competitor for Boeing and Airbus Single Aisle Arliners

Lufthansa has firmed up its order for 30 Bombardier CS100 single aisle airliners with options for 30 more. The CS100 will be used by its subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines to replace its BAe Avrojets in 2014. The CS airliner is offered in 5 models - the CS100, its extended range version CS100ER, the CS300, its extended range version CS300ER and its extra thrust version CS300XT.

BOMBARDIER C-SERIES DRAWING

C-SERIES CABIN MOCKUP

Ryanair's planned 400 single-aisle airliner order to result in GTF-engined versions of B737 and A320?

Ryanair B737-800, just one of the many in the solely 737 Ryanair fleet

The Financial Times has reported that Ryanair is planning to order 300 to 400 single-aisle airplanes within the next 18-24 months for delivery between 2012 and 2017.

Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G in B747 tests

This large potential order may provide Boeing and Airbus the impetus to come out with new iterations for their respective single-aisle airplanes, the B737 and A320, respectively. If ever that will be decided on by the two airliner companies, high on their agenda will surely be the possible use of the GTF powerplant from Pratt & Whitney, now called the PurePower PW1000G. The PurePower PW1000G has already been selected for the 2 planned airliners, the Bombardier CSeries and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). The powerplant has been flight tested in a B747-400 and in an A340 airliner as part of its test regime.

Bombardier CSeries

Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ)

If ever the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G GTF powerplant will be used on either the B737 or A320, it has to be uprated to higher thrust ratings as these two planes are heavier than the Bombardier’s CSeries and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).

A320 taking off

For the new iterations of the B737 and A320, Boeing and Airbus can also use new technologies developed in their B787 and A350 programs. These can include

1. Composite materials

2. Electric and electronic systems

3. Flight planning

4. New seat designs

5. Entertainment systems

6. Some aerodynamic profiling

7. Others

Such a development trigerred by a Ryanair order will benefit the whole airline industry as it will offer lower cost alternatives.