Airbus vs Boeing, or Boeing vs Airbus

I've made it clear: I have an anti-Airbus bias. However, I do have reasoning. My dad's cousin Walter, who is like an uncle to me, worked for Boeing in the 1990s before leaving the company to pursue other ventures. Despite that, Walt still has many connections in the company, and his preferred airline is Alaska Airlines, which is an all-Boeing operator (in fact, just like Southwest, all they fly now are 737s.)

In many regards, I do respect the European manufacturing giant. Their aircraft lineup has a near identical lineup, whether it be an Airbus A318 or an A380. Boeing lacks that with their jets. The A320 is a more comfortable aircraft than the 737. But when I see articles showing that Airbus is outselling Boeing, it pisses me off and puts a damper on my day.

Personally, I do believe the aviation industry has an anti-Boeing view. Is it out of a McDonnell Douglas regard (as Boeing did buy out the faltering aviation giant in 1996) Or is it a matter of the company itself (whether it be leadership, product line, or the connections to the American military)?

And don't get me started on my strong dislike for Charles de Gaulle. The late French president was simply a jerk. Although Wikipedia is far from the best source, and I'm having trouble finding the original, I read that de Gaulle was seriously interested in the Airbus project out of spite for both Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. Or maybe we do have a bit in common with the French, probably clothed in arrogance and centrism-like beliefs.

And finally, I have my criticisms of aviation site Airchive.com. Their articles as of recent have shown support for the US Airways-American Airlines merger, which is just as bad as the Penn Central merger, if all goes through. My opinion of Doug Parker, the CEO of US Airways, well, let's just say I have no respect for him. Granted, he runs a tight ship in demanding territory (the Northeast).

These of course, are my views, and I don't have 100% aminosity towards Airbus. They've got the jetliner cockpit down to a "T". The A320s cockpit in 1988 was a half-century ahead of anything else, for the most part. It's not hard to go from an A318/A319/A320/A321 cockpit to an A330/A340/A380 cockpit. It's all fly-by-wire. And I guess Airbus can aggressively sell more too.

Boeing, it's time for a second 737 plant.