TAM Order 4x 777-300ER

TAM order 4x 777-300ER.

Its significance goes beyond money considering TAM is All Airbus customer. And TAM will receive 3 MD-11 from Boeing.

So it's 4 773 + 4 options for 773 + 3 interim MD11..

http://seattlepi.nws...4_boeing01.html

Yes, i was really suprised myself when reading about this on a.net.

Then again, u really cant fault TAM for going with the aircraft that is most fuel efficient in its class, even though others and i would have preferred TAM to get some A340-600s and remain a sole Airbus operator.

Nevertheless, it will be a great addition to their fleet. My guess is just they needed more interim lift than they expected, especially since the demise of Varig and with their future growth plans, they needed somethig big and delivered fast to match the changing market it faces...

Finally, cant wait to see the big bird in TAM livery

I seen the 773 and the size of it always amazes me.
I was in concourse B at Denver International(all-United), and there was a a Tokyo-bound 773 there, next to a 733 on one side and a 763 on the other. It was just amazing the difference.

It will look very good in the TAM livery.

Take a look at this retouched photos of TAM:

Boeing 777-300ER --> http://www.jetsite.c...TAM-773-MJB.jpg
MD-11--> http://www.jetsite.c...M-MD-11-MSJ.jpg
727-200 --> http://www.jetsite.c...727-200-TAM.jpg
Concorde --> http://www.jetsite.c...s/PRMSA_TAM.jpg
A340-600 --> http://www.jetsite.c...MZ_A346_TAM.jpg
747-400 --> http://www.jetsite.c...tos/TAM_744.jpg

Question is: is this just to bridge the time until the arrival of the A350s or does it signal a turn to Boeing for their entire wide-body fleet?

Question is: is this just to bridge the time until the arrival of the A350s or does it signal a turn to Boeing for their entire wide-body fleet?

Well, thats a good question in itself. The way i see it:
- The demise of Varig and that capacity reduction in the market is creating challenges for TAM to meet the market demand. Perhaps on certain routes to Europe/North America, there may be enough demand to warrant a dialy B777-300 flight.
- The constant challenges faced by the A350 and Airbus, perhaps made TAM go for an interim solution and get an aircraft which will provide TAM with more capacity, both passenger and cargo wise.

Anyways, nice addition to their fleet.

Well as a future regular on TAM (I think) I am very interested in the airline... And would hate to see them turn their back on Airbus for their widebodies, although admittedly the 777 is nice AC to travel in, certainly nicer than all other Boeings.......
On the other hand the A350 really is a bit of a worry (just as you wonder how difficult it could be to get the cables for the A380 in the right length...) and I can just hope that Airbus get their act together, if only to prevent a Boeing monopoly

I think TAM will stay a mainly Airbus operator, though they are and have been smart and have choosen aircraft that fit their model of operation and it has worked. Perhaps they wanted to give a clear message to Airbus by doing this that they aint no pushovers and demand a very efficient and technology-advanced aircraft that can match their news...

Guess the A350 better start getting more flash or it will be a flashed out soon

Tam´s CEO sad "TAM will consider the Boeing 787 even though it has ordered the Airbus A350."

------> http://seattlepi.nws...4_boeing01.html

TAM will decide this month.

Tam´s CEO sad "TAM will consider the Boeing 787 even though it has ordered the Airbus A350."

------> http://seattlepi.nws...4_boeing01.html

TAM will decide this month.

That certainly will raise the pressure on Airbus. I think I read somewhere (mind you such a statement coming from an academic....!) that Airbus has to make a final decision on the A350 within the next couple of weeks. Maybe TAM wants to wait that long and see what Airbus decides before committing to staying with the A350 or changing over to the 787 instead.