ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
Boeing is attempting to overturn Singapore Airlines' (SIA) selection of the Airbus A340-500 for ultra-long-haul transpacific routes with the offer of a 250-seat version of its proposed 747-400X Quiet Longer Range (QLR).
Reducing the capacity of the -400XQLR - designed to carry 416 passengers in a conventional three-class layout - to 250 seats would extend the aircraft's range to 15,840km (8,560nm), making it a viable alternative to the A340-500 on routes such as Singapore-Los Angeles non-stop, Boeing says.
SIA holds firm orders for five A340-500s, plus five options, and recently deferred delivery of the first aircraft by nine months to October 2003. Although the Singapore flag carrier remains publicly committed to the A340-500, Boeing hopes to persuade it to change its mind because the 747-400XQLR could carry about 25% more passengers, even with seating capacity capped at 250. SIA's A340-500s will have fewer than 200 seats.
In addition, acquiring the 747-400XQLR would enable SIA to avoid ending up with a small, standalone fleet of A340s alongside its large fleet of 747-400s. SIA is about halfway through the process of phasing out its 15 A340-300s which Boeing agreed to buy as part of an earlier 777 deal.
SIA declines to comment specifically on the -400XQLR, but says: "We always maintain close contact with the manufacturers about their plans and obviously take an interest in any new developments."
Boeing's ultra-long-haul version of the 777 and direct competitor to the A340-500, the 777-200LR, is not due to enter service until 2005 at the earliest after an 18-month programme delay caused by a lack of orders.
Source: Flight International
