Boeing's myriad crises are well known, but what explains the success of its (relatively) new European rival, Airbus? To find out, Ted speaks with aviation analyst Scott Hamilton about the history of the firm, Germany's role in it, and what has allowed Airbus to overtake Boeing. They also discuss the different approaches toward the aircraft manufacturing business on both sides of the Atlantic and ask what it says about their respective economies. Finally, they explore the future of "sustainable" aviation and the rise of Chinese competition.

Buy Scott's book here: https://www.12spublications.com/

Check out Leeham News and Analysis here: https://leehamnews.com/

Read about Strauß and aviation here: https://aviationtrivia.blogspot.com/2015/05/franz-josef-strauss-bavarian-politician.html

Read Airbus on it's own history: https://www.airbus.com/en/who-we-are/our-history/commercial-aircraft-history/trouble-and-strife-1968-1969

FT on the rise of COMAC: https://www.ft.com/content/19319a2f-b913-4711-a94b-7915248ee67a

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Follow Spaßbremse on Twitter (⁠⁠@spassbremse_pod⁠⁠). Music by ⁠⁠Lee Rosevere⁠⁠. Art by Franziska Schneider. Support us on Patreon here https://www.patreon.com/spassbremse

55 - The History of Airbus w/ Scott Hamilton