It would be interesting if the ongoing problems with the Dreamliner aircraft caused Boing to go bust! i suppose the US goverment would bail them out but if they did go belly up it would do no harm to the European aircraft industy ( Airbus ) of which the UK has a manufacturing input into.

Mobile fitter,

When you consider the size and order book of Boeing, they won't be going anywhere. They have several thousand aircraft on their order books worth tens of billions of dollars. Their order book is currently larger than Airbus'. They have several other aircraft models that are doing nicely. Once these problems, albeit serious ones, are resolved, I'm sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.

Darren

All B787 dreamliners worldwide have been withdrawn from service.

Source Airlineroute.

Looks like Boeing have a long up hill slog ahead of them if they are to get on top of this particular public relations nightmare? I wonder what the longer term effects are going to be on various airline schedules?

SM

Might well add an hour or so on to a Cancun flight depending on the reaction to current events by the CAA.

I was thinking more about the possible reduction in capacity for airlines that had planned their schedules around being able to transport more passengers per plane as the 787s were added to their fleets? And had perhaps already sold seats on that basis too?

SM

It appears that the worldwide fleet have now been grounded on safety grounds http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21054089. This will obviously have a knock-on effect on new deliveries to Thomson.

SMa,

The airlines operating the 787-8 will revert back to aircraft prior to taking delivery of the 787-8's. Most were operating them on existing routes so although it'll cause problems, it'll not be too dissasterous to the larger airlines. The 787-8 is a smaller aircraft than some were using so capacity shouldn't be a problem. It seems the problem lies with the Lithium batteries (Lithium being a hazerdous metal unless it's properly protected and used). Airbus managed to get them sorted on the A380 so there's no excuse for Boeing and their suppliers.

Not a problem you'll have on the C150 Baz!

Darren

Dazbo HT Mod wrote:

Not a problem you'll have on the C150 Baz!
Darren

Already flight planning the C172 to CUN Darren although there may have to be a few fuel stops - one at EGNH if you're up for it

On a separate note, as Thomson have added an extra charge for the use of a Dreamliner on certain holidays would they automatically refund that if a substitute aircraft flies the route for any reason? No doubt any further delay would have Thomson knocking on Mr Boeing's door asking (demanding?) for more compensation. More winglets or perhaps a 738 free of charge?

baz657,

Pick me up on the way, just watch out for WTN on your port side, you might get shot down if they're doing any flight tests that day! You might need an auxilary tank in the C172, better pack lightly!

With the 787-8 flight carrying a small supliment (£20 I think it was) over 767 operated flights, you'd have thought a refund would be in order. Having said that, there's still a few months before they are scheduled for long haul so if Boeing can get the problem sorted, it might not be a problem. G-TUIA was due in short haul service commencing 15th Feb with G-TUIB on the 28th Feb, followed by G-TUIC/D in April. Assuming A/B don't arrive too far behind schedule (A is already rumoured to be behind and to be delivered after B), it may be ok. If there are any further delays, I would have thought Boeing will be getting an invoice for keeping the 3 763's that were due for retirement at the end of April at the minimum.

Darren

Dazbo,thanks for the reply and allthough i agree they are a huge company with a big order book,this fiasco with the dreamliner must be costing them a shed load of money not only in late delivery fines but also compo for loss of revenue for the planes that have been grounded.Is it true that Qantas of Australia cancelled their order for the same planes some time ago?

Alan

I think Qantas have 14 on order for Jetstar due for delivery from July onwards and options for 50, 787-900s.
They did cancel 35 in August, but I seem to remember reading it was more about finances than the aircraft.

Hi Darren,

Hi Darren,

We have booked to go on the Dreamliner to Mexico in August, and apparently it is written in the T&C in Thomsons brochure (haven't read it myself yet) that they will refund the difference should the Dreamliner be substituted for another aircraft. We choose to book the Dreamliner at a cost of £698 in PE (Thur flight) but had we choosen (I think) the day before on a 767 the cost would have dropped to £498. Can I ask where the supplement of £20 to fly on the Dreamliner came from .. just cuious as I thought it would have been more??

Regards,
Pat

pat,

That was for economy club, not premium club. I would hang fire on worrying about the 787-8 not operating flights from May as there's no suggestion as yet they won't be introduced. If the 787-8 isn't ready on time, its not the fault of Thomson Airways.

Darren

Hi Darren any update on the problems my next door neighbour is on leave so cannot update me on the Qatar Airways situation.

Latest on the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21115383#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

qatarman,

No updates from Boeing as yet although Thomson are saying they've had no indication that their aircraft are going to be delayed and are still expecting them in-service (long haul) from May.

Darren

The Thomson 787s are delayed because we were told one would be arriving in January. Now they are grounded heaven knows when they will arrive.
I very much wanted to fly on the first flights, but after two 787s getting on fire I do not think I will bother.
The 787 program is turning into a farce, Boeing have not been telling the truth since it was first pulled out of the hangar. There have been far too many problems which should have been sorted during test flights. It is only good luck that planes have not crashed, if the fires had broken out while the planes were in the air they would have melted.
Darren, you know I am right on this because I think you read the same site as me. I am not pleased that I'm right because I like to travel with Thomson.
If I was the boss of Thomson I would be looking after the 767s and would not be letting any leave the fleet. I would not be using the 787s until fit for purpose, which may be sometime.

Qman,

They aren't due to be in service until May 2013. Regardless of when they are acutually delivered, they won't be officially in service until May. That is the key date, not the actual familiarity flights where they may be used previuously. It's unlikely they'll meet these initial dates although that has yet to be confirmed. I'm sure Boeing will get the problems solved, whenever that may be.

Darren