Midsize matters

摘要

For years, new Boeing and Airbus airliner developments have focused either on narrowbody aircraft in the 737/A320 class or on widebody aircraft like 787s, 777s, A330s and A350s. Right now, though, product planning and design teams at both companies have their attention on a different area: the 'middle of the market' for aircraft sized between the single-aisles and the larger twin-aisle widebodies. Boeing has for some years been assessing the business case for a new product in this area with its New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) studies and 2019 could see the company launch a brand-new airliner - already dubbed the '797' by industry observers, though not by Boeing itself - specifically tailored to the segment. Meanwhile, Airbus is considering further developments of the A321neo to counter a potential new Boeing product in the market, with the company's commercial aircraft chief recently saying it will firm up its midsize plans this year.