Why doesn't Finnair use Boeing aircraft but MD-11,Embraer and Airbus only?

Question

I mean,why doesn't Finnair use lots of Boeing aircraft like Japan airlines. It only uses Boeing 757 aircraft.

Answer 1

MD-11 is technically a Boeing product, since it was built by McDonnell-Douglas, which Boeing acquired a few years ago. Buying an airplane is like buying a car, except airlines usually buy a few at a time ( usually about ten, sometimes as much as 50-100). Airplane are bought according to what need the airline has too. The 757 is an excellent airplane because it can be used for short or long haul operations and holds about 200 passengers.

Airbus and Embraer are popular because they usually cheaper. Embraer is a Brazilian state-owned company and receives government subsidies, allowing it to undercut competitors. Airbus was much the same. Boeing is a public company without any government interest, so it must be profitable without subsidies, although some of it's work is subsidized (mostly US Defense contract work). Not saying that Embraer or Airbus are bad aircraft, just stating the facts.

But it comes down to price, the routes that will be flown or expanded to, and who was running the company at the time.

Answer 2

The aircraft suits Finnair's buisiness model.

The MD-11, when Finnair purchased them they were produced by McDonell Douglas (later absorbed by Boeing). It was the most advanced widebody out at the time and offered more range than existing Airbus A300s and Boeing 767s. Since the MD-11 was based off of the DC-10 which Finnair had at the time, McDD offered them incentives to upgrade to the then new MD-11. They are now in the process of being replaced by a mix of Airbus A340-300 and Arbus A350XWB


The 757 was more simple, the airbus competitor(A321) wasn't available at the time. Also for its mission which was to fly long distances with a full load to places like Boston, Toronto, Orlando and the Azores. The new winglet program further enhance the 757's range.

Embraer: Finnair simply got a better deal for a qider range of aircraft. They have 10 Embraer EMB-170s in service and 4 EMB-190s coming. Also they have the GE CF-34 which offers commanality with the CFM-56s engines used on the A319/A320/A321/A340 fleet. Also the CRJ family would have trouble operating some of the longer routes Finnair uses its Embraers on. The Embraers also replaced the McDonell Douglas MD-80s and ATR ATR-72 turboprops.Last but not least they are cheaper and have superior economics.

Last but not least, Finland is a Euro country. So they got incentives and reasons to order the A320 family (Euro built). The A320 family is cheaper and lighter than the competing 737NG (737-600/700/800) family, Finnair also didn't need the excess range offered by those planes.

I hope that answered everything..


Cheers,
Devan

Answer 3

First of all MD-11 is now a Boeing airplane (remember when McDonnell Douglas was aquired by Boeing?). Second of all, the choice of airplane models or brands has a lot (if not everything) to do with preference on issues about performance, maitenance, after-market value...all over (or under) regions where the chosen airplane is to be used. Its like: why do you prefer to buy a Honda Accord instead of a Mercedes E-Class?
Thirdly, some airplanes are better than others over certain distances that they are being used. For instance: why would you use an Airbus A-380 to carry only 100 passengers across 300km, 4 times a day when an ATR-72 turboprop can do that and cost you less? Hope you understand what I mean. The Boeing 757 is inherently one of the worlds most fuel efficient medium-to-long haule twin jets that can carry less than a 747, but more than an A-320 (this is a class of jets that suits many routes due to a certain distance range the routes are made up of.

Answer 4

There are a lot of different reasons why airlines choose the aircraft they operate. Sometimes one manufacturer will give a better price or promise delivery of aircraft sooner. Maybe the type of aircraft Finnair operates has the best cost structure for them. Since Finnair is a European company, they might have wanted to support a Airbus when they made their selection. Another reason is that Finnair might not want to be dependent on 1 aircraft manufacturer. As much as I support Boeing, I understand they will not win every single order they make a bid on.

Japanese carriers support Boeing because the relationship with Boeing has been there for a longtime. Therefore there is trust. Airbus is relatively new and the way Japanese culture of doing business is that trust must first be established before business dealings can be made. However Airbus is winning some orders for the narrow-body aircraft flown by low cost carriers in Japan.

Answer 5

Andrew, what about USA defense contracts are those not indirect Government support for Boeing ?

Embraer make good products and so does Airbus, the question fo price relates to costs of parts, both the embraer and airbus use materials considered new to the aerospace Industry and really the matter of an airlines preference over one or other make comes to down to routes, loads and pricing.

Answer 6

Why does my uncle drive a ford not a fiat like my dad? An aircraft is selected by an airline for a particular reason.

Answer 7

Probably for the same reason their adverts are based around a traveling panda (!); that's their choice......

Answer 8

.................. Airbus is probably good reason ............... but Embraer and MD 11 are small and narrow and cheaper perhaps.

Answer 9

because fat people won't fit