sailingfun

Its length that is the problem. Delta might be quite sensitive to that at the moment!
777-9 is 252 feet
A350-900 is 220 feet
A350-1000 is 242 feet

There is also a taxiway issue at some airports. One thing I noted was how many pilots don't understand the difference between merging taxi lines. A line with a radius is quite different than a straight line merging at a angle. If it shows up in recurrent training probably a good sign for larger aircraft.

Wolf424

I think all of you are taking what I said a bit too literally.

Yes, the 88s and 90s were on their way out. Last I heard just before Covid (friend took an upgrade to it) was ~2023 for the last few being sent out to pasture. You don’t think it’s possible they could be a year late on that? Maybe, maybe not. Considering when I was hired, we heard the mad dogs would be gone by the end of the decade…obviously didn’t happen (although covid made it close).

My point is/was, the death of the ER category is greatly exaggerated, and they will be around much longer than many think…just like the mad dogs were. Whether that's because of delayed deliveries, performance issues, etc. (unless another black swan happens between now and then)

Just like an airplane delivery (it’s not real until a widget is painted on the tail and it’s flown by widget pilots), an aircraft isn’t gone until it goes to VCV (or similar). Don’t believe anything the company says wrt deliveries/retirements.

Unless they get new interiors, then the end is nigh.

Network runs this place, and they ultimately make these decisions.

Vsop

I was thinking length was the issue too however I think the only 777-8 would have the range needed for ATL-
JNB (7,333 NM).

I see ranges listed:

777-200LR.…….8,555 NM
777-8……………8,745 NM
777-9……………7,285 NM
350-900…………8,300 NM
350-1000………..8,900 NM

Clearly the A350-900 is having difficulty getting that theoretical range out of JNB where the -200LR had less problems. I’m not sure if the 350-1000 will solve that issue as it is a much different plane with much more powerful engines and it is listed as having a larger wing area too (443 m2 vs 464 m2).

If the -1000 doesn’t solve the issue I’m sure Boeing will be looked at to fill the void.

Planetrain

Yet NW bought the color Vol 2, and DL went with black and white!

Planetrain

It’s installed, but gets a lot of interference from the hyperbole generator!

Hotel Kilo

Looking at the bid pack for October, the 75 is still doing transcons as is the ER. I've said it before, will say it again, the 75 is not going anywhere, anytime soon. Also, to add I don't fly the 75 anymore. Haven't for many years. I was on the fleet, however, for a very long time.

Also, yes, it does shorter legs too. Becasue from ATL-MCO it can get to 390+ no problemo, not cloud plowing thru the merk. Also, lots of cargo going back and forth as well. You really should get a meeting with Network and cargo folks. You might actually learn something. It's an interesting situation they find themselves in. No decent production variant of an Airbus (save for maybe the 350-1000) can haul what we want where we want it too. The boeings did fine always in that regard (777, 747, 757, 767ER).

Repeat after me: "Airbus always over promises and under delivers"

tennisguru

But tray table...

iaflyer

Not pointing this at you, but if network likes Boeing so much, then why is it 2008/9ish the last time we had a widebody delivery from Boeing? And the newest Boeing widebody on property is 23 years old because we kicked the 777 to the curb?

Viper25

Theyve retired a couple ERs in the desert already over the past month. More are scheduled. It’s not completely going away tomorrow, but the death has begun.

*barring a million other variables as mentioned

Wolf424

Sure, and we were also taking 75s out of COVID storage as recently as this spring.

No one is saying the end is inevitable, but it’s certainly not as close as many think.