This morning Lufthansa confirmed a launch order with Boeing for the 777-9, becoming the first customer for the revised variant. The 777-9 will accommodate 42 additional seats than the existing 365 seat 777-300ER model, and may be a replacement aircraft for the 747-8I according to Aviation Week. The carrier also ordered 25 A350-900 aircraft from Airbus, splitting this order for new wide-body aircraft between the two manufacturers.The 777-9 will feature all new engines from GE, a new composite wing, and advanced aerodynamics that according to Boeing will provide 20% better fuel efficiency than today’s 777-300ER and a 15% reduction in operating costs. Those economics would provide the 777-9 with the lowest seat-mile costs in the industry, even lower than the larger A380 and 747-8I, the only two aircraft with larger capacity.
Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President and Head of Fleet for Lufthansa said “Boeing and Lufthansa share more than 50 years of partnership and innovation and a tradition of launching new airplane models – starting with the 737 and more recently, the efficient 747-8 Intercontinental. Lufthansa is demonstrating its legacy of innovation and market leadership again with its selection of the 777X.”
The order for A350-900 aircraft also included options for 30 additional aircraft, with the potential to convert some of the orders to the larger A350-1000 model. Nico Buchholz stated “The A350 XWB suits Lufthansa’s entire network regarding size and range, and will be key to modernizing our fleet while significantly reduction operational costs and our environmental footprint. These quiet and fuel-efficient aircraft will fit nicely into our existing Airbus fleet, and our passengers will be able to enjoy seamless service and comfort levels throughout our entire product range.”
“and may be a replacement aircraft for the 747-8I according to Aviation Week.”
Perhaps reading comprehension is lacking at Airinsight. Read the article again. It says this:
“The airline is looking at the A350-900/1000 or a mix of Boeing 787-9/10X and the proposed 777-8X and -9X. Lufthansa plans to take delivery of the aircraft from around the turn of the decade to about 2025. The -9X could also be used as a replacement of the smaller 747-400, some of which the airline has already retired. Franz said the decision-making process is already far advanced, but the deal won’t be decided within the next few weeks.”
BUt AW&ST screwed it up, too, but no excuse for Airinsigt NOT reading the content of the article. Nowhere in the article, besides the misleading headline, says the 777X would be a 747-8i replacement. And oh, by the way, some basic research into this news story (like checking LH’s own website) would have shown you the 777X serving alongside the 747-8i. out to 2025
The economic differential between the 747-8I and 777-9X will be significant, with the 747-8i more than 30% higher in direct operating costs according to our economic projections. That is significant, and will likely result in an shorter operating life for the 747-8 than for its predecessor 747-400. While LHs website shows their current plans to keep the aircraft to 2025 – which would be only 14 years after initial deliveries and not the 20-25 years more typical for an aircraft, economic factors can impact those future decisions. Airlines don’t always disclose their strategies publicly to their competitors, so don’t believe everything you read in their websites, but read between the lines as well. We don’t think AW&ST screwed it up.