Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Air Show Gives Boeing, Airbus Chance to Show Off
Aired July 22, 2002 - 10:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Some of the newest and most impressive flying machines are on display in England.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right, and we have got -- it is being held in Farnborough, England, I believe it is called, and that is where we have our Richard Quest. He joins us now with the very latest -- hello, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you both. Welcome to Farnborough, south of London. It is the largest air show in the world. It alternates every other year between here and the Bourget in Paris. What we're looking at now -- we are just looking at an Airbus A330, that is just about to take to the runway. And who knows, while we're talking that thing might actually get into the air, but I suspect not.
Although they seem to be running pretty much according to plan. Now, the big thing here at Farnborough, as always, has been the battle between Boeing from the United States, Airbus, all the various defense companies, and the huge sums of money that are being spent. September the 11th had an effect. What we are seeing is much more money being spent on defense and many more companies actually more involved in the defense industry. Now we've had enormous displays. Very loud, very noisy. You are rather lucky. You missed the worst of the noise, but I did promise you guys, you may pay attention here, you know how things have been a bit tight at AOL Time Warner. I'm not saying anything. I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying...
HARRIS: You have noticed?
QUEST: ... things have been a little bit tight.
KAGAN: That's not the planes going down. It's the stock price.
QUEST: I have. So those are the planes that cost you many -- no, but we have the CNN plane that we brought along.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: That's the company plane, Richard?
QUEST: Let me tell you -- that's the company plane. That's the one that the execs now go around in. That is our news gathering plane. And let me tell you, when it comes to getting out and about, we know how to beat those other lesser broadcasters. Unfortunately, they won't let us run it down the runway.
HARRIS: That's because our extension cord probably isn't long enough.
QUEST: Any second -- I think that Airbus has taken off. So just -- well, we haven't paid the electricity bill for it.
This is -- have a look at this Airbus, what it is actually doing. Can you see that, guys?
KAGAN: Not really. We see a big pole.
QUEST: Well, Daryn, you'll get the idea.
KAGAN: There it is, there it is, now we see it.
QUEST: Imagine if that were you sitting -- now, that's an A330 passenger jet. Imagine if you were sitting in first-class. I think you would lose your first-class champagne (ph) the way that thing is going around.
HARRIS: How...
QUEST: Anyway, that's one of the planes -- oh, good Lord, I think I can -- I feel things moving down below. Let's talk about other things. It is coming towards us.
KAGAN: That is it. Duck -- duck, Richard.
HARRIS: That is not a comforting looking shot right there, Richard.
KAGAN: Got a big bull's-eye on the back of your head.
QUEST: You are right. I will tell you something...
KAGAN: What is it actually doing, Richard?
QUEST: That thing is going around and around in circles. What it is doing is basically is -- what they do is they bring these planes here, Daryn, and they want to show the capabilities. They want to show what it can do. The maneuverability, the power, the sheer versatility of these planes. And that is why they literally put these planes into the air. I mean, there is no way, if you were a passenger on board that thing, you would be able to hold down your lunch, let alone keep a glass of champaign on your first class tray table, since I know you two have never seen behind the curtain in your lives.
KAGAN: Oh...
QUEST: And that is really what they are aiming to do -- they literally are -- they are standing that plane on its wing to show just how versatile it is. That's the air show, and that's the way things are looking behind me -- guys.
KAGAN: He is pointing fingers at us, trying to say we only fly first class, but you know, that's not true.
But the last time we saw him on a plane, he was flying the Concorde. Remember that?
HARRIS: That is true. Usually, Richard, we get to fly on that plane that you were just holding. That's the plane that send us out on.
KAGAN: Anyhow, Richard Quest from Farnborough, England. Thank you so much for a look at the air show there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
