A321 to LAS

[BuffaloJoe]

I see that the A321 on flight 723/774 have been used today on the PHL-LAS-PHL instead of the 757. Did a 757 breakdown? It wouldn't have been that they needed more than 8 FC seats?

The SAN flight 150/151 is on West metal or was it East metal?

 

[USCREW]

I see that the A321 on flight 723/774 have been used today on the PHL-LAS-PHL instead of the 757. Did a 757 breakdown? It wouldn't have been that they needed more than 8 FC seats?

The SAN flight 150/151 is on West metal or was it East metal?

Are you sure about the flt #s? It doesn't show as East, but West doesn't fly 321.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Are you sure about the flt #s? It doesn't show as East, but West doesn't fly 321.

723/774 PHL-LAS =A321 Sub for 757?
150/151 PHL-SAN =A319

 

[USCREW]

723/774 PHL-LAS =A321 Sub for 757? EAST150/151 PHL-SAN =A319 WEST

 

[Mtnman928]

I see that the A321 on flight 723/774 have been used today on the PHL-LAS-PHL instead of the 757. Did a 757 breakdown? It wouldn't have been that they needed more than 8 FC seats?

The SAN flight 150/151 is on West metal or was it East metal?

Three 757's went back to the lease holders this month.

Mtnman

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I figured I get this mixed up!

Let me rephrase the questions.

Question 1
Flight 723/774 PHL-LAS legs were operated with a A321 today, I know this is EAST metal. It was supposed to be a 757 on the route, I just wanted to know was it for maintenence or that they needed more than 8 F/C Seats?

Question 2
150/151 PHL-SAN I understand is West, but I was at the airport with my scanner and it had 150 landing in PHL in EAST colors on an Blue A319! I kind of doubt that it was actually flown on EAST metal, just that I got the wrong plane and it had just landed prior to this EAST 319. It is possible and most-likely probable that 150 landed just prior the EAst 319. Sometimes my scanner switces over frequencies when I don't set them up that way.

 

[Informed1]

I see that the A321 on flight 723/774 have been used today on the PHL-LAS-PHL instead of the 757. Did a 757 breakdown? It wouldn't have been that they needed more than 8 FC seats?

The SAN flight 150/151 is on West metal or was it East metal?

I'm just guessing, but it could be because the company returned a few 757's recently when the leases were not renewed.

 

[N924PS]

I'm just guessing, but it could be because the company returned a few 757's recently when the leases were not renewed.

I believe it has been scheduled this way for some time. It was not a last minute equipment substitution. The flights were listed this way for bidding on the January trip pairings.

150/151 is West Metal. Used to be an East A321 early morning SAN-PHL and operated full most days. Guess marketing needed the extra lift in LAS for some reason.

Although it's a good thing the temperatures are lower. The A321 could not haul a full load to PHL with an Alternate unless you take off to the East which entails extensive delays when LAS is in a West operation.

That's why the A321's haven't been used out of LAS for some time, leaving those trips to the better performing B757.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Although it's a good thing the temperatures are lower. The A321 could not haul a full load to PHL with an Alternate unless you take off to the East which entails extensive delays when LAS is in a West operation.

That's why the A321's haven't been used out of LAS for some time, leaving those trips to the better performing B757.

OK, now for a dumb question. Why can't a A321 takeoff towards the West in LAS? I know there is a mountain range but does flights ever make it that far? Unless going to California and West locations.

 

[NevadaHP]

OK, now for a dumb question. Why can't a A321 takeoff towards the West in LAS? I know there is a mountain range but does flights ever make it that far? Unless going to California and West locations.

because its hot in LAS

 

[SpinDoc]

OK, now for a dumb question. Why can't a A321 takeoff towards the West in LAS? I know there is a mountain range but does flights ever make it that far? Unless going to California and West locations.

Because the climb rate for an A321 is crap compared to the 757. US needs MORE 757's, and needs to get rid of the A321 which can't support transcon flights, which it was originally purchased for.

 

[phasersonstun2]

All that needs to happen is for the 321 to be made into a two engine aircraft. Then it could take off to the west.

 

[AtlanticBeach]

All that needs to happen is for the 321 to be made into a two engine aircraft. Then it could take off to the west.

huh?

 

[LGA777]

Three 757's went back to the lease holders this month.

Mtnman

Actually 3 are going back over a 2-3 month period. 610 (the first new delivery to US) left a few weeks ago and the other 2 leave I believe between now and and the end of Feburary, early March. On a side 757 note A/C 201 just arrived at MCN for about a 1 month ETOPS conversion that should include getting the new Envoy seats and winglits.

Cheers

LGA777

 

[N924PS]

Because the climb rate for an A321 is crap compared to the 757. US needs MORE 757's, and needs to get rid of the A321 which can't support transcon flights, which it was originally purchased for.

The A321 is a much better transcon aircraft (at least in it's present configuration at USAirways) than the B757.

As some one who has made hundreds if not thousands of transcons on every USAirways plane has used in transcon flying since 1989, the A321 is the best yet in terms of passenger comfort and amenities.

It just isn't a great performer at high altitude airports on hot days. For you non-aviators, those combinations cause a reduction in aircraft performance. It means flights may often be weight restricted or need a fuel stop to accomodate the payload at the departure airport.

There are no more B757's to be had, even if USAirways was willing to pay the going lease rate. Obviously, they won't, so 3 B757's are being returned to lessors even as I write.

The Boeing competitor for the A321 (and replacement for the B757) is the B737-900. Anyone out there weigh in on the performance capabilities of that machine vs. the A321?