Just Plane Crazy
Senior
- Feb 24, 2004
- 257
- 0
The A321 would be a logical addition for UA.
The B767 is aging and the maintenance is costly. The B777 is more than capable to take over the routs of the B767. So retiring the B767 will be a matter of cost saving. In regard to the B757, there is a growing market for this aircraft in the Cargo Business. At this moment is lucrative to sell them to airlines that would convert them to freighters.
Retiring these two fleets would open the door for the A321. One crew can fly 3 (4) different aircraft types [ A319 / A320 / A321 and A318 ]. Cost for crew training would be lower and flexibility of crew scheduling would be enhanced. Not mentioning the cost saving on maintenance (fewer spares in stock) and a lower cost per seat mile.
And last but not least, the A319/320/321 are capable to be equipped for containerized belly cargo. In the long run that could make it easier and faster to load and unload not mentioning cargo/baggage safety issues. Neither the B757 nor the B737 have that capability.
That leaves me with a thought, is it possible that we might look forward to a leaner structured UA with only three to maybe four aircraft types:
B747 (will be retired as soon as the 7E7 is available)
B777 (will take over current B767 routs)
A32X (will fly all routs currently handled by B737/B757 and A319/320)
CRJ (for all Express routes)
The B767 is aging and the maintenance is costly. The B777 is more than capable to take over the routs of the B767. So retiring the B767 will be a matter of cost saving. In regard to the B757, there is a growing market for this aircraft in the Cargo Business. At this moment is lucrative to sell them to airlines that would convert them to freighters.
Retiring these two fleets would open the door for the A321. One crew can fly 3 (4) different aircraft types [ A319 / A320 / A321 and A318 ]. Cost for crew training would be lower and flexibility of crew scheduling would be enhanced. Not mentioning the cost saving on maintenance (fewer spares in stock) and a lower cost per seat mile.
And last but not least, the A319/320/321 are capable to be equipped for containerized belly cargo. In the long run that could make it easier and faster to load and unload not mentioning cargo/baggage safety issues. Neither the B757 nor the B737 have that capability.
That leaves me with a thought, is it possible that we might look forward to a leaner structured UA with only three to maybe four aircraft types:
B747 (will be retired as soon as the 7E7 is available)
B777 (will take over current B767 routs)
A32X (will fly all routs currently handled by B737/B757 and A319/320)
CRJ (for all Express routes)