Although Airbus sold more planes in total than its rival last year, Boeing enjoyed a 70% share of a booming market in widebody, long-haul aircraft (where margins are better) .
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It appears Monday's electrical fire that injured a firefighter was a more pressing issue for investigators, the manufacturer and the global airline industry that has embraced the 787 as a technologically advanced and efficient long-haul aircraft.
True, it has focused on smaller aircraft, but the regional-jet business has, if anything, been much tougher than that for long-haul aircraft: witness the recent bankruptcy of Fokker, the previous market leader, not to mention the sluggish progress of plenty of government-backed aerospace projects.
Though growth is expected to be primarily in single-aisle aircraft, long-haul airplane traffic is anticipated to continue to grow at approximately 4.5% per year as well.
Scoot Pte is offering Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPads to budget long-haul travelers after ripping out aircraft entertainment systems weighing more than two tons to save fuel.
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We're still some distance away from once again hopping on Dreamliners for long-haul flights, but the aircraft will at least have a chance to flex their muscles before they resume their main duties.
Cathay hopes to offset some of the damage by moving aircraft to long-haul flights to Europe, North America and Australia, where business is still relatively good.
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"Our priority is to ensure our customers go on their holidays and we are, therefore, putting contingency plans in place including using alternative aircraft for our long-haul flights to Mexico and Florida if delivery is delayed beyond the end of March, " Thomson said in a statement.
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Biofuel engines for aircraft still need some work before they are suitable for long-haul flights, but should be available soon.
Norwegian has yet to take delivery of the Dreamliner, though the aircraft is vital to its ambitious plan to expand by offering long-haul flights.
The plant manufactures kitchen galleys for aircraft cabins, as well as special sleeping accommodation for flight crew on long-haul airliners.
Most airliners have autopilots which use sophisticated computer software to help pilots control the aircraft, used often during long periods of flying at the same altitude on long-haul flights.
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