Boeing is weighing up the merits of two alternative stretch plans for the 747-400, including a 500-seat version with a wing root extension that would take the aircraft's range to 7,800nm (14,430km).
Having axed proposals for the 747-500X and the -600X because they would have cost too much and there was insufficient demand, the US manufacturer is considering simpler alternatives for those customers who might still be interested in an aircraft offering larger capacity and greater range than the current -400.
While no decision has been made to proceed with anything, Boeing has narrowed the options to two variants.
Capacity
First is a 23ft (7m) stretch that would increase capacity from 420 to 480 seats, but slightly reduce range to 12,765km. Second is a 9.5m stretch that would also have 2.4m root extensions on each side of the wing. This version, with its 14,430km range could carry 500 passengers "from anywhere to anywhere in the world", says Boeing. This is being referred to as the -400Y.
Joseph Ozimek, Boeing's director of product marketing, says either option is "very easy" to do technologically, but neither has yet been proven from a marketing standpoint.
"We are trying to convince ourselves of which option to do and whether we can afford to do either of them," says Ozimek. "There is not a lot of demand for these big aeroplanes. Demand is there - it's just not that high. We want to convince ourselves there is a business case.
"We are a long way off from offering either for sale, although we are talking with people about the concept."
Source: Flight Daily News
