An Airbus A321XLR decision Is What Boeing Wants

If Airbus does announce the A321XLR shortly that is exactly what Boeing wanted in it's overarching strategy. An Airbus single-aisle airplane against an NMA dual aisle Boeing. Some say an A321XLR will cause Boeing to lose the gap competition. The jury still is out on that particular notion. Some say Boeing must reduce its 797 build costs which are now holding Boeing back. The sunk cost on such an NMA has already been spent and will not be included with the price of a Boeing NMA.

Boeing is going big or not at all in the current situation. "Big", being something new and something affordable in a new niche. The A321XLR can do this but the Boeing proposal far outclasses the Airbus ideas. The 797 will be dual aisle with big windows for all. It will fly 5,000 miles comfortably at seven seats across. The A321XLR will stretch longer at 6 seats across. The A321XLR may take its energy forward it has gained in the market place during the last ten years, but the 797 will overcome that energy with an all-new offering for the same cost of the A321XLR. Time has come to lay down the cards that are held. However, Airbus will lay down its hand first and that is the game Boeing is playing since it holds a card Airbus doesn't have.