Posted on 04/24/2007 8:08:36 AM PDT by Freeport
UK longhaul carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways has ordered 15 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, placed options on another eight and has secured purchase rights for a further 20 jets.
Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to take place from 2011. The aircraft will replace Virgin’s Airbus A340-300s.
The airline has yet to make an engine selection for the 787s. It says the order, which it values at up to $8 billion, is the largest so far from a European customer for the 787.
It marks a change of strategy for the airline, which famously assisted with promoting Airbus's claims that four-engined aircraft types were more reliable than twin-engined jets, notably the Boeing 777, for longhaul operations.
Virgin Atlantic has so far only operated four-engined longhaul aircraft, including the Airbus A340, A380 and Boeing 747.
Does Flight Global know something that We the Sheeple don't? [i.e., Boeing hath launched said bird ?]
This is big news. Virgin really has been pushing the four-engine concept—their 747s and A340s even have “4 engines 4 long haul” painted on the side. Sounds like they’re coming around to the concept of the “big twins.”
}:-)4
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Randy Baesler was interviewed on CNBC about this order. Here's a link to the video.http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=267991063
Boeing and Virgin Atlantic Announce 787 Order, Environmental Partnership
CHICAGO, April 24, 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Virgin Atlantic today announced an environmental partnership, which includes an order for 15 787-9 Dreamliners, marking the largest 787 order to date for Europe.
The order, worth approximately $2.8 billion at list prices, was previously listed on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer. The order also includes options for an additional eight 787-9s and purchase rights for an additional 20 787s.
"Virgin Atlantic is pleased to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as our aircraft of the future," said Steve Ridgway, chief executive officer, Virgin Atlantic. "This revolutionary aircraft will bring a step change to the industry, substantially reducing environmental impact and incorporating innovative design and advanced technology, while providing an enhanced flying experience for our passengers."
The environmental partnership includes a joint biofuel demonstration aimed at developing sustainable fuel sources suitable for commercial jet engines and the aviation industry. The demonstration, scheduled for 2008 using a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400, is being worked jointly with GE Aviation and Virgin Fuels. Further details will be announced later this year.
In addition, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic are working together on reducing fuel burn and cutting aircraft emissions on the ground by exploring alternatives to traditional aircraft operations at airports. For example, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic are partnering on trials of towing airplanes to "starting grids," areas close to the active runway to start engines preflight, with a goal of reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 50 percent, as well as limiting community noise. Trials conducted thus far at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and San Francisco International Airport have produced positive results, and work continues to develop alternative operational procedures at the world's busiest airports.
"Virgin Atlantic has demonstrated extraordinary leadership within our industry on addressing environmental impact, and Boeing is proud that the 787 Dreamliner is such an important ingredient of the airline's plan for the future," said Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Working together in partnership, Boeing and Virgin Atlantic will develop innovative, environmentally progressive solutions to provide greater fuel efficiency and lower aircraft emissions."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for entry into service in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience, and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner.With the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing continues its leadership and innovation with a mostly composite airplane that uses 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes. The 787 is designed for the environment with lower carbon emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings. Inside the airplane, passengers will find cleaner air, bigger windows, more stowage space and improved lighting.
Since the 787 launch in April 2004, 44 customers worldwide have logged 544 orders worth more than $75 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.
I knew Virgin was cool but I wasn’t aware that they were flying any A-380’s.
“Virgin Atlantic has so far only operated four-engined longhaul aircraft, including the Airbus A340, A380 and Boeing 747”
Nobody is operating A380’s yet. Virgin ordered A380’s but has deferred deliveries due to the technical problems Airbus has had with it. It’s quite possible with 787 orders and open skies agreements between the US and EU that Virgin may cancel its A380 orders. They would be fully within their rights to do so without penalty considering the delays in the A380 program.
Cool. Thanks for the follow up.
I much prefer adding another article to an existing thread than posting another thread. It aggrevates members of the ping list to get multiple pings on one story.
Good catch. Doesn’t reflect well on the reporter.
Virgin's bowing at the altar of Environmentalism is apparently more important than having 4 engines.
I don't doubt that folks like Boeing are helping some of the environmental fever out there, if as in this case they can make bucks from it. I know of an oil refinery that does the same thing, researches leading edge environmental additives, patents them, then gets the regulators to write their use into law. Lumber companies ... same thing. Used environmental issues to wipe out the small operators cutting national forest land, while they raised their lumber crops on private land.
The biggest news I take from this is that Virgin didn’t buy into the A350XWB. With the discounts Airbus is offering A380 customers as compensation for delayed deliveries, Virgin must have zero confidence that Airbus can actually deliver the A350 on time and on performance.
LOL! Which means they can take off from L.A. and blow one up at V1, and still make it to London (think BA).
Another defector?
From Times Online
April 25, 2007
US Airways drops Airbus deal to take off with Boeing
The loss of the $3.7 billion contract with US Airways follows Virgin’s switch from Airbus to Boeing
David Robertson in Chicago
Airbus will receive another blow this week when US Airways ditches a $3.7 billion (£1.85 billion) order in favour of the aircraft manufacturer’s American rival, Boeing.
The Times understands that US Airways will announce an order for between 20 and 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners within the next 48 hours. The deal will be worth between $3.2 billion and $4.9 billion at list prices.
Full story at:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/united_states/article1703031.ece
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