British Airways' long-expected move toward ultra-large aircraft was confirmed last week, with the airline revealing it could opt to replace its existing Boeing 747-400s with a mix of Airbus A380s and 747-8s.
The airline has issued a request for proposals to Airbus and Boeing and engine manufacturers Engine Alliance, General Electric and Rolls-Royce covering its wide-ranging fleet-replacement plan. BA aims to finalise orders next year, with the Airbus A330, A350, A380 and Boeing 747-8, 777 and 787 being evaluated. The initial plan covers the replacement of 20 of its 57 747-400s and all 14 of its 767-300ERs, which will be the first aircraft phased out. The earliest entry into service of new long-haul aircraft would be in late 2008.
Although BA has one of the world's largest 747-400 fleets, it has until now avoided a move into the very large airliner sector above its 350-seat 747-400s. With its congested London Heathrow hub and large 747 fleet, BA has been a long-running target of Airbus, but it has resisted becoming an early A380 customer. However, the airline says it will now evaluate the A380, along with the 747-8 and, although the latter offers around 50 more seats than the 747-400, it is 15% smaller than the 550-seat Airbus, which could mean there is room in the fleet for both types. "We see a strong competition between the A380 and 747-8, and could go with a mix of the two," says BA.
The 747-8I's prospects at BA are likely to have improved with Boeing's decision to increase the size of the forward fuselage plug, as the airline is understood to have been one of the prospective 747-8I customers pushing Boeing to do this.
Source: Flight International
