Comparative Analysis: Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 Operations

This report compares the operations management of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380. The Boeing 787, designed to compete with the Airbus A330 and A340, faced manufacturing challenges, including issues with outsourcing, worker complaints about quality control, and safety hazards due to faulty parts. The report highlights the importance of in-house design, addressing worker feedback, and improving project management to enhance operational efficiency. It suggests that the company should reduce its outsourcing activities to improve quality control and implement better project management strategies. The Airbus A380, with its larger capacity and technological advancements, serves as a benchmark for operational improvements. The report suggests that by reducing outsourcing, in-house design, and addressing worker feedback, Boeing can improve its operations and compete more effectively with Airbus.

Running head: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
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Operations management of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380
In order to compete with the Airbus 330 and 340 models, Boeing introduced the super-
efficient, aircraft that was a mid-sized one called the 7E7 Dreamliner. It was built of composite
material and it was made in a way to carry about 300 passengers for a distance of 8500 nautical
miles. There was a Systems technology team for development of the Boeing 787. This team
aimed at making it an aircraft that would be updated with technological advancements such that
it would provide improved functions throughout the life of the aircraft. Airbus created a direct
challenge for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner by developing its Airbus A380. It had a seating
capacity of 500 passengers and provided a competition to the Boeing 787 directly that was a
jumbo jet aircraft of that period (www.youtube.com 2019). The airbus was made with 49% more
floor space therefore it provided more space for other amenities such as bars and many more
when compared to the Boeing 787. Moreover, the technology used by Airbus A380 also
provided it technological advantages. For instance it used Modular Avionics, Hydraulic systems,
network systems and many more.
Reasons for failure of Boeing 787 Dreamliner
It was reported that the aircraft Boeing 787 Dreamliner was faced with many
manufacturing issues that lead the Boeing to lose competition to Airbus A380. It was seen that
the company has a culture of fast productivity over quality and therefore while manufacturing the
aircrafts the company ignored the complaints of the workers regarding risks and other potential
manufacturing defects (Boeing.com 2019). Many emails, corporate documents and other reports
showed the employees complaints which were ignored by the company. Workers had filed many
complaints to the federal government related to manufacturing practices that were shoddy and

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also related to debris and tools left on the plane and how the workers were pressured to not report
the same. The Boeing workers had installed various faulty parts in the aircraft. The aircraft had
many safety hazards because they had taken test flights with debris in its engine and other parts.
Suggestions for changes in operation’s management of Boeing 787 Dreamliner
to compete Airbus A380
The company can improve its operations by making use of project management along
with operations management and for that the company needs to reduce its outsourcing activities,
by doing so the company will be able to manage the quality of its operations including
manufacturing operations (www.airbus.com 2019). The aircraft can carry out its design operation
in-house and moreover they need to consider the complaints and all other suggestions of the
workers and other experts.

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References
Boeing.com (2019). Boeing: 787 Dreamliner. [online] Boeing.com. Available at:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787/ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2019].
www.airbus.com (2019). A380. [online] Airbus. Available at:
https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a380-family.html [Accessed 1 Jul. 2019].
www.youtube.com (2019). Airbus VS Boeing. [online] YouTube. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUWULo_P-QQ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2019].