Paris 2013
This show should shape up to be the battle of the widebodies with the A350 vs. the 787 and 777X. There will be some notable orders but I think this is where Boeing will announce the formal launch of the 787-10 with Singapore Airline's order for 30 aircraft. The carrier already has selected the engine for their 30 -10s (Trent 1000-TEN), something they wouldn't be doing if launch wasn't imminent. I also believe that the launch will not only include announcement of the Singapore order but will also announce the order from IAG (British Airways) for 18 -10s. This is the exercise of the 18 options the carrier held but the 787 model wasn't announced when IAG announced the exercise of the options. I think that announcement will be made at Paris. There may be other 787-10 order announcement made at Paris. I don't think Boeing will announce the launch of the 777X at Paris but will heavily talk it up behind the scenes with customers. Look for the launch announcement on Tuesday, June 18th.
Meanwhile ZA242 (LN 90, VT-ANN) is currently flying to Le Bourget where it will fly demonstrations during the first 3 or 4 days of the show. ZA465 (LN 99, A7-BCD) will join ZA242 later (probably on Saturday or Sunday) but will be on static display through out the airshow.
787 Production
Production has been continuing and I do believe that ZB001 has moved on to the next line position in 40-24 and should remain there for the next 10-12 days while assembly and testing continue on this aircraft. I continue to believe that this aircraft should be out on the flightline in the 3rd or 4th week of July and possibly flying by early to mid September.
787 Flight Testing and Delivery
Production flight testing continues as Boeing is trying to be aggressive in delivering the large backlog of 787s that are sitting on the Everett and Charleston tarmacs. Interestingly Boeing delivered 7 787s last month but none from Charleston. I do expect that 3 to 4 787s should be delivered from Charleston this month. Currently I have 5 787s listed as ready for delivery along with another 10 that have started production flight tests. I expect at least 2 to 3 787s will have their B-1 flights in the next week in order to be delivered by the end of this month.
Finally a blog note. I've added a 5th table below which shows the 78s that are currently in production (see 787 Current Production). I does not show 787s that have been delivered or ones that will not be delivered (like the first 3 test flight aircraft). Hopefully this will aid in understanding what is going on at Everett and Charleston.
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