Randy's Journal: Archives

29 September 2005

Poll position

I try to read a lot of industry-related periodicals to stay on top of various opinions about commercial airplanes and Boeing products. In particular, I always look forward to reading Airfinance Journal's annual poll. The 2005 Investors' and Operators' Poll just came out, and it really gives some insight into what people who finance and operate our airplanes are thinking about our products and services.

When you look at the poll results, you'll see that Boeing has the top overall ranking with investors and operators this year with the extremely capable 737-800. In fact, Boeing tops most of the other categories as well.

Polled separately, investors ranked the 737-800 best overall, and ranked the 777-300ER number one in the categories of operational success and value for the money. Investors also gave the 737-800 top marks for investor appeal, remarketing potential, and residual value.

The rankings among operators found the 777-200ER on top. In other categories, operators ranked the 747-400 number one in terms of operational success, and the 737-800 tops in residual value.

If you read through the entire Airfinance Journal piece, what you might find most interesting are some of the comments. "The creation of the A350 is a tacit admission from Airbus that Boeing got it right with the 777 and they completely screwed it up with the A340," one operator said.

And a last piece of the poll, although not part of the rankings, was apparently a surprise to the editors, but not to me. In terms of new aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner has strong support from investors and operators. 74% of the voters said they think the 787 will be the most successful new aircraft. That's compared with 11% who said it would be the A380, 8% for the ERJ-190, and only 6% for the A350.