Boeing cites risks in design of A321XLR, Airbus' newest jet

In business, there is not comment without reason. IMHO, this is calculated and targeted, unfortunately, to change the current narrative of all the recent Boeing issues. I guess it is an admission that they can't currently beat them in the marketplace and as such have resorted to fear-mongering. Quite sad actually, signs of survival mode management. AND let us not forget that shareholders are the primary customer of Boeing.

Yes, I remember what they did to try and stop the Bombardier C Series.

So if they perceive that there could be a problem they should ignore it

That's a question that really should be answered.

agree 200% with you

Boeing is the pig, too!

Maybe all of the above? :)

But the real issue here is the cheap fear-mongering being used by Boeing leadership. I don't believe that anybody seriously thinks that any manufacturer is perfect. If all they have as a strategy is schoolyard bullying, that is sad. They did similar with Bombardier when Boeing realized that they were being leap-frogged technology-wise with the C-Series now A220. That approach just sent Bombardier into the arms of Airbus - yet another brilliant (not) strategy by Boeing. The bottom line is that poor product strategy in the recent past has left them way way behind the competition and the market's needs.

Noal, good thoughts. Flew the 72 for 17 years in all seats. Best times in my life. I also flew the 73 series through the 8. I felt the 8 was a good bird but it didn't fly as solidly as the 200 and 300. New wing and not as nice in unusual maneuvers in the Sim. Very efficient but Boeing was starting to stretch efficiently over flyability. The Max was another level. Probably one too far. However I will never doubt my wonderful career fly Boeing.

You were my greatest Chief Pilot by far!

346 MAX 8 deaths is not a "mistake", it was a calculated risk made by millionaire execs who stood to make money regardless of the outcome. Boeing is as corrupt as the city its headquarters are located.

There's a very old statement that goes something like “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” On another occasion, the same guy admonished, "Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye." In other words, it's unwise to point out someone else's problems when you have problems of your own. This advice has stood the test of time.

Other commenters are not ignoring the mistakes made by the manufacturers you mentioned. They are criticizing the technique of exploiting the media to publicly denigrate a competitor's product, which appears to be a desperate attempt to damage the competitor while distracting from their own problems. Until recently, this was considered "playing dirty" and unethical.

However, Noal Johnston, the mistakes the other airline manufacturers made did not iclude covering up and subterfuge covering up deaths which then led to would have the same cheery disposition about what a wonderful life you led at Boeing which then resulted in a perpetuation of the Boeing problems which then led to more deaths. I can't help but wonder if you hadn't been so lucky in the Boeing planes you flew (not MAX's) if you would have the same upbeat take on Boeing's corruption?

Good answer! They’ve all had their share of problems. It’s just Boeing’s turn now. Leadership is the key to any business . Maybe the new CEO will straighten them out.

The "most recent total loss of the Boeing 737 in Asia" has absolutely nothing to do with this topic. If you've read the most recent reports it is obvious that this is a maintenance / flight crew issue. Maintenance didn't fix the autothrottle problem and the flight crew couldn't/didn't handle a very simple problem which kind of negates maintenance not fixing the problem. The thrust lever moved towards idle and the engine wound down. Apparently neither pilot was paying attention. To associate this accident with the MAX problems is disingenuous. I'm now retired with over 25,000 hours and flew both the 737, all models from the 100 to the 700, as well as the 767 and the A320. I'd gladly go out and fly and unmodified 737 MAX this afternoon over an A320.I also happen to agree that a fuel tank molded into the side of the fuselage doesn't sound like a great idea. Its a relatively fragile area on any airplane. It will be interesting to see what EASA has to say.

Bill - you can't be serious. Boeing is trying to help a competitor? Boeing tries every dirty trick in the book to kill off competition. They have a long history of it. If they can't win by making a better plane at a better price, they simply try to hurt the competition by screaming foul. Whether that's accusing of selling below cost, crying about subsidies, or even the safety of competitors. They enlist their lobbyist and lawyers to create an unfair playing field for themselves.

That would be fine, if it appeared that Boeing had learned anything from that experience. It appears that they have not. If anything, they have tripled down on the mindset that created that hot mess.

Boeing may have a point here, but they are not the once trusted engineering leader they were in the past. This looks like snipping at your competition and just basic 'poop slinging', hoping some sticks on Airbus to distract from the mass clinging to them. A wolf crying wolf?

deflect
deflect
deflect

I think clowns and monkeys better describes the U.S. Senate!

Maybe we should start asking more of our aeronautics industry. Is Boeing to big to fail? That's a problem- How did they get there -by wiping out their competition that led to a very laissez faire manufacturing program at Boeing, that was heavily influencing the Federal regulation regime meant to protect the flying public. What everybody should hate is poor quality and unethical business practices where every they see them.

"Buying Airbus weakens us as a country."

Well, but supporting a corporation that is poorly run, and has the horrific record to prove it is just... 'Communist'.

The problem with the Russian version of Communism was that the 'state industries' ran with no competition, and there was no choice, or alternative. You drove the car the Politburo decrees, or you walked. If you wanted bread, and it was Tuesday, you went hungry.

So great to have an American willing to lay bare the idea that freedom only works if you support reckless American corporations. Nice... I was hesitant to fly in my first Airbus, and found the plane comfortable, and well apportioned. I actually enjoyed the services and setup of that plane. The 'Glory Days of Boeing' are gone. They seem to be, for at least 2 Max planes, the 'Gory Days of Boeing'...

I'm watching a Periscope Films promotional video of the 747. I don't think Boeing could pull that off in today's version of the company. And they aren't screwing up the aviation division, the rot has spread to their space systems divisions too. It's the head of the beast that is rotten, and the damage is spreading.

Valid point but only if you think that the approach being used by Boeing is acceptable and reflects American culture. It's cheap, it's pathetic, and it is sad to see Boeing stooping this low.

Has anyone considered using 6 sig figs when you only have 2 ...
Throwing a red flag at a superior MAX competitor aircraft is beyond obvious and further speaks to Boeing's NEED to appear safety conscious. Boeing killed half-again more than were killed in the Beirut blast.
Toss a couple of top decision-makers in the pen for manslaughter and you'll see actual safety consciousness.

If you sit anywhere that is in-line with the wings, you are sitting over a fuel tank. On every Boeing or Airbus aircraft.

WRONG... you are just another American cheerleader fanboy...

Not only was there WAS no training on the MCAS, there was NO mention of it ANYWHERE in the flight manuals, most ALL pilots were NOT even aware of its existence... let alone how it operates.

Fact.... It was sheer LUCK that there were no crashes in the U.S.

R.O.T.C Leadership Maxim: 'You can delegate Authority, but not Responsibility'. Not so in 'Business', even in Japan (Hari Kari seems out of fashion).

what are you talking about?

Just as many anti EU too

Here we go again, if you are not with me you are against me, black & white thinking.
I'm original from Belgium and a couple years ago your president called Brussels a hellhole. So what, I personally think he still expressed himself nicely :) If somebody is thinking something different it does not mean he is against you. He just has a different opinion about the same subject. If my son would have been flying a Boeing instead of an Airbus, he probably still would have his job right now. The company that helps to recover the airline has American roots, just saying, I may be wrong as well.