Leahy: Old Plane Was Good, "This One Is Even Better"

In what may be construed as a delayed capitulation to the inevitable, European planemaker Airbus -- which once accused Boeing of pushing technology too far with its composite-fuselage 787 Dreamliner -- appears to have decided to follow suit, and construct the fuselage of its own A350 XWB from all-composite sections.

Though not a complete redesign, the change marks the third significant re-think to the A350... intended as competitor to both the 787 as well as the older, but still immensely popular, Boeing 777.

The lighter weight of the composite cabin reduces weight and fuel consumption, simplifies inspections, and allows other improved technologies for control of the cabin environment.

Boeing's gamble on the new technology has paid off, with the 787 Dreamliner now has reported sales over 700. The plane is expected to make its first flight late this year, and enter service in May 2008... though analysts are keeping a close eye on Boeing's ambitious timeframe, especially in light of recent admissions of integration delays on the first plane.

Analysts have said Airbus's original plan for the A350 -- to stick with aluminum -- left the 350 at a competitive disadvantage to Boeing, and cost Airbus sales. By the time Airbus committed to a redesign last year, the now-renamed A350 XWB was a good five years behind the 787 in development.

As ANN reported, Airbus said that new plane's exterior fuselage panels would be made of composite materials... but still applied to an aluminum frame. The new design will sport full-composite fuselage sections, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"We thought the design we had was very good, but this one is even better," said Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy... who, it must be noted, was among the most vocal critics of Boeing's plan for the 787.

The Airbus A350 XWB will be larger than the 787... which is not necessarily seen as an advantage in the plane's market segment. Airbus appears to be gambling that a composite cabin will also make the A350 more competitive against Boeing's larger plane, the 777, which uses a composite tail but an aluminum fuselage.

John Plueger, president and CEO of aircraft lessor International Lease Finance Corp., says he believes Airbus is making the right decision... finally. The company -- and in particular, ILFC founder Steven Udvar-Hazy -- has been particularly critical of what it perceives as Airbus' missteps with the A350 program.

"This is what we were hoping for," Plueger said. "We're getting more and more interest in the plane from our leasing customers, so the sooner Airbus can get it to market, the better."

The latest estimates peg the A350 XWB's entry into service sometime after 2012... but that was with composite panels over aluminum. No word yet on whether the decision to go with full-barrels will delay that date further.

FMI: www.airbus.com