310skying

The 220 cockpit is as good as it gets in the 121 world. Also did you hear how many times Maury said our biggest concern was fuel prices. The A220 solves those problems and opens up the same Niche we had with the 757, except this time it’s a new plane that won’t break and leave people stuck in Hawaii for a week. I think you’ll see A220s for tans cons and reopening smaller market HI flying, it’ll be base specific so unless you are on of our few commuters I would wind about dropping and picking up trips. This airline was isn’t most profitable when we had md-80, 757s and a320s

Margaritaville

737s would suck. Let's hope that doesn't happen. Also, lots of pilots will take that type rating and leave for SWA for a lot more money.

A220s.
54 new base connections? Are we going to become a hub and spoke airline now? Really, that's the only realistic way we could fly internationally.
Hawaii would definitely be back in play. Maybe Deep South too.
Long thin routes would probably require overnights. Most likely 2 day trips with 3-4 legs per day.

New/gently used A320s.
Most likely choice, but the company is going to have to pony up the cash. They don't like doing this.
Delta, United, and American are going to start replacing a lot of their older 320s. These airplanes are pretty beat up. DL still has some of the original launch NWA birds.
Not sure why they don't want the Spirit/Frontier jets. Their A320s are a lot newer than DL/UA/AA ones.

My guess is that they are playing the three companies against each other, trying to get a deal. Watch Airbus "find" another 20 new 320 CEOs with CFMs in MOB for us. 737s are a long shot. 220s are pretty realistic, but only if they are ready to pull the trigger on a major expansion. Do we have the pilots for that? Unless our contract settles quickly and we get a massive compensation boost, I don't think we will. Hiring is insane right now. Anyone who wants to leave can get hired by a legacy airline very quickly, and prospective pilots have many better options, that also don't involve living in Flint.

Finally, there's ain't no rumors like training department rumors. Often, they start crap just to see how quickly it makes the circuit, and comes back to them in PCs. I wouldn't be surprised if the A220 key chains were just a trolling effort.

Texasbound

So where is Airbus going to get the money to develop the 500? Especially since the 220 program is still losing money despite their best efforts.

The demise of the A380 program is weighing heavily on Airbus as well. Doesn't leave a lot of cash leftover for Canadian pet projects.

64Ddriver

Info came direct to our class from both Tracy Tulle and Ed Faith. Not sure if it’s credible or rumors, but seemed legitimate especially since it’s possibility based rather than “we are/aren’t.” I can definitely see it as them playing the field to get the best deal though.

Squeakygreaser

You have to realize that part of Tracy's job is to minimize attrition and increase morale among the new hires. Some new hires might be encouraged by an a220 rumor, so it's a way to keep people on property that doesn't cost the company anything. Personally, when I start to hear it from mx guys, that's when I start to pay attention.

I think the 220 looks like a great airplane, but single fleet is a much better way to do business. Adding a new aircraft type is so expensive.

David Puddy

The proposed 500 has been discussed for the last 3 years and would add seats and further lower the cost per seat mile (spread costs across more seats) - which is attractive to all airlines. The lower the CASM the better. The A220 is very fuel efficient and extra seats also mean extra revenue potential. Add to this very flexible range and you get a lot of route options…

Air France, Delta and JetBlue have been very vocal about buying a larger 500 series and this airplane could, if built, be a replacement for 737-800s and older A320 with 150-160 seats possible in an all economy layout. The stretch itself wouldn’t be a big development change - evidently the 500 was already designed and planned out at one point. Airbus has not officially committed to it yet but it is getting close:

https://www.airway1.com/airbus-admit...tretched-a220/

and

https://www.google.com/amp/s/simplef...stretch-2/amp/

Of course this also means a lot of used A320s that could eventually find their way to Allegiant too. My bet is still on adding more used A320s.

Flightaware

Sim Tech at ECTC has confirmed A220 sim to be installed ‘soon’

TransWorld

That would make the most sense. Two thirds of AA 319s are over 20 years old, as an example. I see few airlines purchasing new. Few gently used 319s are on the market. Similar for the 737 700 series.

Airbus is selling the 220s like hot cakes. There are good reasons for that.

Texasbound

I'll take vague statements to get Air France to shut up for 400.

Says in the next 5 years. That is a long way off. (and once again) Especially for an airplane that is still being built at a loss, despite a concentrated effort to reverse that.

Oh and this "evidently the 500 was already designed and planned out at one point." Well, that's the easy part. Getting the airframe certified is not, nor is it cheap.

tailendcharlie

Sure because Allegiant is doing such a bang-up job of managing the logistical issues involved with bringing on board a large number of new-hires, upgrades, and new instructors, let’s add a new aircraft type to the mix with our 1990’s-vintage infrastructure suite. What could possibly go wrong?