Traditionally when a new aircraft is launched, it has been a -100 series; stretched or otherwise modified versions become the -200, -300 etc.
Yet with the latest aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, they've started at the other end of the scale. The first A380 launched was the -800 The first 787s are the -9 and -10 The first A350s into service with QR are -900s
Does anyone know why this is?
I guess that's a no, then! :)
A good question Dougie, I read that the B787 series was too start with a -3, designed for the Japanese domestic market and hopefully developed as a replacement for Boeing 757-300 and 767-200s. The -8 was the start of the long haul series. As very little interest outside of the Japanese market developed the -3 was scrapped and the orders converted into -8s. I don't know why Airbus A350s start with an 800.
Mike
The A380 started the trend. They picked the -800 for two reasons - 1) the 8 looks like the cross section of the fuselage. 2) The number 8 is considered to be lucky in Asia.
As Asia was becoming a big market at the time, anything that helped sales out there was welcome, and so the lucky number 8 was chosen.
Likewise when Boeing introduced the dreamliner, they went with -8 to appeal to the Asian market.
Also, -100s are often skipped, most models recently have launched with the -200.
Very interesting thanks Nighthawk.
The trend continues with the 737MAX 7, 8, & 9. Who knows? Probably the 777X also.
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