British Airways

[White Heather]

Perhaps it is the case that IAG are getting the order cancelled by the other airline that suffered the fatal crash, in which case they are probably getting a seriously good deal. Nevertheless, it is a bit of a gamble as I think it will take people quite some time to feel confident on a 737 MAX., especially as it is taking Boeing so long to introduce a fix for the problem. I am surprised that right now any airline is placing orders. If it were me I would want to ensure that the 'fix' works and that there are no further issues with it once back in service with those airlines whose airframes are currently sitting idle on the ground.

 

[Jerry]

Perhaps it is the case that IAG are getting the order cancelled by the other airline that suffered the fatal crash, in which case they are probably getting a seriously good deal. Nevertheless, it is a bit of a gamble as I think it will take people quite some time to feel confident on a 737 MAX., especially as it is taking Boeing so long to introduce a fix for the problem. I am surprised that right now any airline is placing orders. If it were me I would want to ensure that the 'fix' works and that there are no further issues with it once back in service with those airlines whose airframes are currently sitting idle on the ground.

Which is probably why they only signed a letter of intent first but they must have confidence that'll be fixed.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

It’s taking an awful long time for this so called software upgrade....an awful long time considering they will employ some very clever people.....or is it a little more than a software upgrade?

There is no such thing as a little software upgrade.
Any small change can have huge unintended massive complications.
It seems both crews were unable to extract from the software, it will be easier and faster to check the programme software for the fault, however, if it falls back on the operating software, your in needle in haystack territory.

 

[Len Fish]

It’s not just the software changes that take time but the subsequent testing of it. Given the criticism of the FAA for their alleged cosy relationship when it came to certifying the Max, I suspect they’re going to microscopically examine every detail before they let it fly again, as will the certification agencies in other countries who may not just accept the FAA certification as they normally do. Could be a long road back into service.

 

[Jerry]

JetBlue Airways has joined a growing customer base for the newly launched Airbus A321XLR, by converting 13 A321neo orders to the longer-range jet that debuted at the Paris air show this week.

The New York-based carrier has also converted options for 10 Airbus A220-300s to firm orders, boosting its backlog for the type to 70 aircraft.

A lot of the carriers going for the A321XLR are for the most part either already Airbus customers or small carrier's wanting the range to expand into long haul without having to order wide bodies. I don't think there were many surprises.
As for IAG it does make sense as they are already a Boeing customer and no doubt got an amazing deal from them. Operationally it gives them a chance to have 2 distinct short haul products. Hub airlines BA Heathrow, Aer Lingus and Iberia operate Airbus with containerised luggage and the LCC operations BA Gatwick, Vueling and Level operate Boeing with the hand loaded luggage. In the end it'll all be about costs and no doubt Willie Walsh believes this will reduce them for the LCC side.

 

[Seasider]

Veuling operate Airbus A319/320/321. This is a strange decision, whether they go through with the LOI only time will tell.

 

[lbaspotter]

Heads up

The BEA retro liveried Airbus A319, G-EUPJ has provisionally been scheduled to operate the BA1344/1345 Heathrow - Leeds shuttle rotation this afternoon. #BA100

 

[BarnsleyHolidays]

Heads up

The BEA retro liveried Airbus A319, G-EUPJ has provisionally been scheduled to operate the BA1344/1345 Heathrow - Leeds shuttle rotation this afternoon. #BA100

Just arrived on Runway 14. Horrendous trip up the M1 to see it, but well worth it.

BH

 

[Seasider]

It was the M1 that was bad.

 

[White Heather]

Goes to prove that whichever airport you fly from, if it involves travelling on any motorway, there is every chance it will be a difficult journey.

The roads are good to LBA by all accounts!

Nobody has said that Offnt. What has been said though is that getting to LBA by road in comparison to MAN is by no means as difficult as some claim.

 

[michael]

What some folk (usually those that claim LBA is in the 'wrong place') forget is that for anyone from ANY part of Yorkshire MAN is on the wrong side of Manchester!!

 

[Aviador]

Just arrived on Runway 14. Horrendous trip up the M1 to see it, but well worth it.

BH

Did you take any pictures you could share with us?

 

[mdobuk21]

This was its first visit earlier in the year.

 

[BarnsleyHolidays]

Did you take any pictures you could share with us?

Sorry no. Left the camera in South Yorkshire.

BH

 

[White Heather]

I got these photos when it came last time.

 

[LBA4EVER]

I look forward to when Ryanair start operating the max8 into LBA on a foggy runway14 landing!

 

[Len Fish]

The only good thing to come out of this is that the Max is likely to become one of the safest aircraft ever, given the scrutiny and the fine tooth comb it’s currently being put through. However, convincing passengers of this may be a different matter, at least in the short term.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

The only good thing to come out of this is that the Max is likely to become one of the safest aircraft ever, given the scrutiny and the fine tooth comb it’s currently being put through. However, convincing passengers of this may be a different matter, at least in the short term.

Every disaster leads to improvements especially the 737.
The runway fire at Manchester in August 1985 resulted in major changes in the cabin, Fire resistant seat covers, wall /ceiling panels as well, floor lighting and adjustment to the seating at wing exit points and many changes to shute evacuation systems.
Unfortunately a new plane design brings with it problems as we saw with the de Havilland Comet and especially the Vickers Viscount which I made hundreds of flights on in my childhood, I think at least 150 were lost in crashes.
The worry with the 737 Max is that it seems software issues caused the two crashes, when you overlay year after year software updates on top of updates as we have seen in the u.k. banking system, this can come back to bite you 30 years later.

 

[White Heather]

Every disaster leads to improvements especially the 737.
The runway fire at Manchester in August 1985 resulted in major changes in the cabin, Fire resistant seat covers, wall /ceiling panels as well, floor lighting and adjustment to the seating at wing exit points and many changes to shute evacuation systems.
Unfortunately a new plane design brings with it problems as we saw with the de Havilland Comet and especially the Vickers Viscount which I made hundreds of flights on in my childhood, I think at least 150 were lost in crashes.
The worry with the 737 Max is that it seems software issues caused the two crashes, when you overlay year after year software updates on top of updates as we have seen in the u.k. banking system, this can come back to bite you 30 years later.

Around 144 Viscounts written off due to accidents etc., although reading through the list of incidents, and being fair to the Viscount, rather a lot were due to pilot error, hi-jacking, running out of fuel and other causes that were not necessarily due to faults with the aircraft design. Nevertheless, that is 144 out of less than 500 aircraft built, which for an iconic British aircraft that has such a great reputation, is rather a lot!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Crikey so at least a 1 in 5 chance that the viscount you fly on would crash at some point!! im sticking to the max8!