Linebacker35

The 9's make up 1/3 of NW's fleet. I doubt they would give up that much of their flying. the A318 would be a perfect fit into their fleet and I wouldnt be surprised to see them ordering a bunch from Airbus soon. I do agree that some of the old DC9 flying will go to the regionals, but not all of it.

Ftrooppilot

SWAG:

Airbus is in trouble. May become more Russian then French. Deliveries ?


Half of NWA 9s replaced by ERJs flown by NWA Mainline Crews (Compass disappears) on longer routes.

Half of NWA 9s replaced by Mesaba flown CRJ1000s and 900s on shorter routes.

Comments on guess ???????

Linebacker35

Ya Airbus is in trouble..... they only got 1000+ orders to ship out right now for the 320 family

Airbus has proven they are in control of that sized market, and guess what there are a bunch of US fleet renewals comming up for that size range!
American: 327 MD80s,
United: 94 737-300/500's....... UA will almost surely renew with 320's
NWA: 115 DC9's.... could be 115 A318 to complement their existing 320 fleet
US air: 96 737-300/400.... US air seems to also be favoring airbus

Delta and continental will definetly not go with airbuses, they stick to boeing.

That is a possible another 630 A320 family orders in the next few years!!!!!!
It would be more if the said airlines replace their 757's with A321's... tho i dont see this happening, the 757's are amazing planes still.

Ftrooppilot

Yes they have those orders but also have the most screwed up FRENCH EGO / multi national management / cross purpose political / demanding unions / European individual work ethic / etc. interaction of almost any international company. It seems like many company order airplanes from them but always have a "back up" strategy" because any two of these factors could interact and explode. Now insert the Russians with buying power and companies like Daimler backing out. I guess they will never go bankrupt - too much national pride at stake. But delivery schedules ?????

fosters

American has said they will wait for the next generation of aircraft and will continue using their MD80's into the future, so don't expect an airbus order from them anytime soon. They are leaning toward the "next" 737 aircraft (whatever it's designation is).

NWA probably won't buy the 318, they will use the EMB175 and 190. In fact, they've already bought 36 175's.

US Airways favors airbus because airbus provided a good portion of their exit financing and lease renegotiating. US Airways was "contractually obligated" to order the A350 until it's recent problems allowed them getting out of that contract.

UAL just picks whatever aircraft they can get when the mood strikes them (in other words they do a horrible job at fleet planning).

The A380 project will be Airbus's downfall IMO.

saab2000

Have you ever lived in or worked in Europe? Work ethic there is no less than in the US.

Try working in PHL someday and tell me about the Great American Work Ethic or the negative power of labor unions.

I worked in Europe for almost 15 years, most of it in aviation. It is not as screwed up there as most people think and far better operationally than the US, at least the larger eastern US cities with which I am familiar.

ToiletDuck

I'd like to see the B-717. I just feel better knowing it says Boeing on it. I'd get the same bad feeling I'd get driving an Isizu on the ranch lol.

rickair7777

The 717 is actually the MD-717...boeing bought MD and tacked their name on the project.

rickair7777

Actually they ARE in deep doo-doo, both short-term (operational screw-ups) and long-term (strategic screw-ups)...


They only had money to develop ONE next-gen airplane...and they blew it on that gigantic white elephant wich appears to have niche-market value only. I suspect euro-pride had something to do with that decision, ie desire to have the biggest airplane

Their solution to the upper mid-range was to warm over the 330 and call it the 350...well the industry didn't want old technology and now they have to go back and actually develop a NEW airplane to compete $$$$$$$$$$

Massive design delays on the A400M, the 380 production debacle (with canx orders), and the need to re-design the 350 are the elements of a perfect storm...the EU won't let them go BK of course, but they are in a world of hurt.

The A320 serise is the only thing they have going for them, but it's old technology Several major airlines (including AA) are already showing signs of bypassing A320/737 technology and waiting for the NEXT gen narrow-body...who's going to have the technology and experience to deliver that? The same folks who are bringing you the 787...

Schnides

One of the reasons Airbus is bumping up it's production on the A320 is to bring in the capital to develope the technology needed to produce the A350. They're a little behind in composites on a plane of that size. Since Boeing is already pushing production of composite tubes, my money is on them for the next generation narrowbody. When they do that, it may give them the positioning they need to corner that sector of the market as well. Don't forget, China has announced it's intention to enter the market as well. Probably more than 10 years out, but something to consider.