A Tale of Two Widebodies: Boeing 787 vs Airbus A330neo

The commercial aviation landscape is dominated by Boeing and Airbus, with the Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner competing for market share in the mid-sized widebody category. We take a closer look at the cost, orders, and operating costs of these two aircraft.

A Dominant Duopoly

The commercial aviation landscape is dominated by two major players: Boeing and Airbus. The two companies have been competing for contracts with the world's largest aircraft operators since the 1990s, resulting in an effective duopoly. In the mid-sized widebody category, the Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner are the two most sought-after airliners on the market.

A Brief History of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330neo The Boeing 787

Dreamliner program officially launched in April 2004 with All Nippon Airways as its launch customer. The main design target was to offer 20% less fuel burn than the current 767, which was achieved through the use of a lighter, more aerodynamic aircraft. The Dreamliner family consists of three variants: the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10.

In response to the launch of the 787, Airbus reworked its current Airbus A330 model, but after market feedback, the plan evolved into the Airbus A350 program. However, airlines still expressed interest in a re-engined version of the A330 to compete with the 787 on mid-range routes. The A330neo was launched in 2014 at the Farnborough Airshow, equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

Orders and Competition The A330neo is part of

Airbus's answer to the success of the Boeing 787 family. While it is not as popular as its A350 cousins, it has found its place in the market as the rapid-deployment aircraft in the mid-range market. The A330neo has experienced strong order flows, with a major recent order coming from Etihad Airways, which announced that it had ordered 15 Airbus A330neos.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787-9 is the most popular widebody aircraft on the market right now, and the family has experienced strong order flows. Since its launch, 1,299 Dreamliners have been delivered, and 2,453 have been ordered. However, Boeing has seen long delays in delivering aircraft and has even cut some production efforts, leading some airlines to have a wandering eye over towards Airbus and its A330neo and A350 families.

Operating Costs

Any aircraft owner can attest that buying an airplane is only part of the financial equation. Evaluating the operating costs associated with owning an airplane is a significant aspect of the purchase process, and one that airlines weigh heavily. Fuel cost is ultimately the largest expense for commercial operators, so fuel efficiency and burn rates are key metrics to look at.

The 787 and A330neo both offer lower effective fuel costs for airlines through innovative design choices. The 787 achieves a higher fuel efficiency thanks to its very light airframe, while the A330neo has lower fuel burn rates per seat due to its advanced engines and wingtip design. Operating costs are often measured on a per-flight-hour basis and are calculated from many components, including fuel, annual and reserve maintenance estimates, depreciation, and crew labor expenses.

Major Operators Delta Air Lines is the largest

A330-900 operator in the world, and is the only American airline to hold an A330neo in its fleet. The largest 787 operator was the original launch customer, All Nippon Airways, with 86 in service. However, United Airlines has positioned itself as the top 787 operator, with 91 in service, and plans to eventually operate a total of 221 787s within its fleet.

Redefining Luxury In The Skies Both Airbus and

Boeing offer variants of each aircraft catered to private or corporate travel. Airbus Corporate Jets offers the ACJ330neo in both the -800 and -900 variants, and Boeing Business Jets offers the BBJ 787 in all three models. They are perhaps the most opulent way to travel, with luxurious cabins designed for far fewer guests, enabling nonstop capability between virtually any two points on Earth.

Looking Forward The 787 and A330neo are very comparable aircraft, with both using advanced engines that improve fuel efficiency, helping cut costs. On the market, the different variants of each are in similar price ranges, but specific order details alter the final cost. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these two aircraft continue to compete in the mid-sized widebody category.

Source: Simple Flying