[oz_mark]

RISING fuel costs and tight credit conditions pose a new dilemma for Qantas directors, who are in New York for a board meeting.
The directors are now in New York for what the airline says is the most important board meeting in years.

Top of the agenda is the fuel crisis, which has caused the carrier's shares to tumble over the past year, halving the value of the business.

...and maybe the 777 is on the cards...

Apart from the A380 and Boeing Dreamliner, the airline has to find a replacement for its 13 ageing 747 Boeing jumbos.

The only option available at present is the Boeing 777-300 ER, (extended range) twin jet, which is reputed to be the most fuel-efficient aircraft flying.

It is understood that one of the reasons for holding this week's board meeting in New York was to hold talks with Boeing president James McNerny who is keen to sell the aircraft to Qantas, a move which could see the airline trade some of the options it holds for Dreamliners in exchange for the 350-seat 777s.

Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon has told both Boeing and Airbus the aircraft to be chosen as the 747 replacement has to carry 350 passengers and fly the Pacific non-stop.

The 777 has all of these attributes

[Mal]

Qantas has constantly resisted the 777, so I find it hard to believe they'll sign up for some now with the 787 not too far away.

Still, with fuel the way it is, perhaps they will get some (ala the Airbuses they currently have) to make do until they get their 787's.

[ric_melb]

I hardly think Qantas is besieged, and also think it unlikely they will fly the 777 at this stage.

[oz_mark]

Personally, I doubt the 777 will be flying in Qantas colours. Jetstar is a maybe, and it may come down to dollars and timings. It would certainly not be an ideal situation, but given the capacity constraints that aren't going to ease any time soon, maybe it is just possible.

[aubs]

Given the current environment with airlines grounding planes and deferring orders I can't see any orders, let alone the 777 on the horizon.
Qantas has one of the largest order books (380s and 787s) of almost any airline.

20 A380s - 2nd only to Emirates
65 787s - largest airline, 2nd only to ILFC

[simongr]

With them cancelling routes and scaling back on some routes I do not understand why they would be thinking of new aircraft. I guess though that the major cut backs are on non-747-400 routes so any free aircraft from other routes will not be able to switch into these routes.

I would assume that the only way this would work would be if there had been some late cancellation of aircraft and thus there are some pretty close slots opening up for the 777... all a bit strange though - one other consideration might be further delays with the 787 might be on the cards...

[oz_mark]

Something needs to replace the 747-400's. They are starting to get on, and there is nothing in the order book to replace them.

[aubs]

What do you call 20 A380s if not a replacement for the 747-4s.

Given QF is only just retiring the 747-3s, and doing internal refits on the 747-4s I think the birds will be flying for a few more years to come.


...

Given the 787 delays it would not surprise me if some 787-9 orders were swapped for 777s

[simongr]

Also when QF were ordering their 787s and A380s even with the delays they would have known the age of the 744 fleet thus I can't understand why this would be a crisis now...

Sorry oz-mark - not trying to argue/disprove you - just trying to understand what is going on...

[oz_mark]

Originally Posted by simongr

Also when QF were ordering their 787s and A380s even with the delays they would have known the age of the 744 fleet thus I can't understand why this would be a crisis now...

Sorry oz-mark - not trying to argue/disprove you - just trying to understand what is going on...

I'll try to track down another reference, that says that Qantas were still on the lookout for something to replace the 747-400's, but weren't really that happy with anything that was on offer.