The largest aircraft on the field is also the star of the flying display: Boeing’s giant twin 777-9 once again shows what it’s made of on its second visit to Europe after its premiere in Farnborough in 2022. Customers, whom Boeing has to put off time after time because flight testing is dragging on like chewing gum for a variety of reasons, will only be slightly placated. Nevertheless, the Americans fly the flag – and let it rip in the flight program.
Take off in the style of a fighter jet: The Boeing 777-9 shows what it is capable of in Le Bourget.
Debut for new Airbus
The second “problem jet” from Boeing, the also late 737 MAX-10, is hardly inferior to its big sister – it is the sheer size of the new Triple Seven that makes the difference in performance. After all, each of the two GE9X turbofans of the 777-9 has a larger diameter than the fuselage of the 737 MAX. Airbus cannot keep up this year either, even if none other than the new narrowbody king is making its public debut with the prototype of the A321XLR in Paris. In contrast to the Boeing jets, however, the A321XLR seems to be delayed “only” until mid-2024, as far as the announced market entry is concerned. At least according to the current state of affairs.
With the first public appearance of the A321XLR, Airbus is making a debut that is well worth seeing.
Noisemakers in the afternoon
If the performances of the low-noise airliners are too quiet for you, you should have other show participants in mind: The Lockheed Martin F-35A, for example, which pierces the afternoon rain shower with thunder and the dark gray sky with the afterburner fire jet of its F135 engine enlightened. The Lightning II may not be the most agile fighter on the planet, but the performance is impressive – just like that of the French Air Force, who demonstrate their skills with Dassault Rafale and Airbus A400M.
The performance of the Airbus A400M is always impressive.
Strongmen and quiet treaders
Embraer is also sending its military transporter into the air with the KC-390, and the “Profit Hunter” E195-E2 is also allowed to make its rounds in the sky. The ATR 72 freighter in the colors of launch customer FedEx, the Tiger, NH90 and H160 helicopters and a few quiet little electrically powered aircraft round off the short but crisp program in the sky. Before the focus of the visitors at around 4 p.m. is again fully devoted to what is happening on the ground.
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