Aircraft Lease Returns

[PHX-F/A]

I overheard a LAS mechanic talking to our Captain during boarding last weekend, and this mechanic said that HP is turning back 5 a/c but it works out to a net loss of 1 because there are new airbuses set for delivery..

Now correct this please if it sounds wrong, but he said the entire 321 fleet was going at US. I thought the bulk of the aircraft leaving US were the older 737-300s

 

[robbedagain]

I believe USA320Pilot did say at one time that it was a large number of older B-737s and a few Airbus 319s and may be a couple 320s

 

[a320av8r]

I think it is 46 737's and 15 airbuses mostly non-EOW 319's and a few 320's.
Thats why I am going back to the right seat with 20 1/2 years 🙁 .

 

[UPNAWAY]

The GECAS merger related returns are not necessarily the oldest AC but ones that makes sense for GE to limit exposure.
On the AWA side we have 10 merger returns all GECAS they breakdown as 5 737's 4 Airbus (2 new ones) and 1 757. Also, 1 or 2 unrelated 737 returns.
New Airbuses 1 Oct, 1 Nov & 2 Dec. I forget but think the breakdown is 1 320 and 3 319s???

 

[USA320Pilot]

The information regarding America West and its projected fleet count is accurate. The airline will end the year with 142 aircraft, which is down one aircraft per the company's recent second quarter earnings conference call.

In regard to US Airways, the A321s are scheduled to stay in the new company's fleet plan and the aircraft that are being returned to the aircraft lessers are B737s.

Here is the bankruptcy court filing regarding US Airways' orderly fleet reduction with their registration numbers redacted:

See Story

If my memory serves me correctly, the end of month US Airways mainline fleet count will be:

Sep. 2005 - 241
Oct. 2005 - 236
Nov. 2005 - 234
Dec. 2005 - 232
Jan. 2006 - 226
Feb. 2006 - 221

Meanwhile, earlier this week the US Airways ALPA Merger Committee said, "On 1/1/05 our fleet was at 281, on 9/1/05 we are projected to be at about 253, on 1/1/06 at 231 and on 3/1/06 at 221."

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[justaumechanic]

Don't count on the A321 staying for very long. Two aircraft doing the same job do not fit in the big picture.

The A321 is a loser for the mission Wolf and Gangwal bought it for.

 

[A330US]

the A321 is not a loser at all,
its a very good aircraft and is used on on transcon routes, i just came back from CLT-SEA, SEA-CLT on the A321, the plane is packed, very comfortable plane, alot of room, and i couldnt tell the 5 hour flight went by so fast on it !
not a loser at all.........
what was the A320 supposed to replace in the US fleet ?

 

[PITMTC]

the A321 is not a loser at all,
its a very good aircraft and is used on on transcon routes, i just came back from CLT-SEA, SEA-CLT on the A321, the plane is packed, very comfortable plane, alot of room, and i couldnt tell the 5 hour flight went by so fast on it !
not a loser at all.........
what was the A320 supposed to replace in the US fleet ?

[post="289371"][/post]​

I agree, it was part of the plan to standardize the fleet (which wasn't followed through with) so we needed different passenger load options. However from the stand that we are in, the transcon flight are almost always full. So they do serve their purpose. The flight crew and maintenance similarities are still there. They are working.

 

[USA320Pilot]

The A321 is an excellent aircraft that provides the company with schedule flexability and fleet commonality. The B767s and B757s are old and will be retired.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[A330US]

now not all the 767s and 757s are old
i think the 67s and 57s that were in service before 1988-1989 should be retired,
we got alot of 757s that cam in the mid and late 90s and also 767s
they both are still very useful acircraft and still make US a big boeing operator

 

[USA320Pilot]

A330US:

You're right, but over time the B767s/757s will be retired. The combined company will operate 9 B767s and 44 B757s. They have a place and will be around for a while, but I believe the intention is to replace them with A350s and A321s.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[JFK777]

If the 767 are replaced, when are the used A330's coming to replace them until the A350 arrive after 2010? In June at the Paris Air Show, when US placed the A350 order, lots was said about used A330's. Maybe Tam from Brazil will lease a few to Us since they have a few to spare.

 

[SpinDoc]

The B757 is a superior aircraft to the A321
in all respects. Do you think the new US
will pursue used B757-300's that are on the
market now to fill the off season flying
to Europe and Hawaii? Would be a good
choice.

 

[USA320Pilot]

SpinDoc:

I asked that question to senior management and was told that there are 8 European markets that make sense for a B757 EOW aircraft, but used B767-200s on the cheap make more economical sense. The company has looked at this option and following the merger it might happen.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[justaumechanic]

Do you smoke crack? The A321 is a great aircraft?

It has to use two ACT's to make the range to the west coast cutting useful cargo load.

The aircraft is load restricted and has climb performance issues.

The CFMs are maxed out on their rating and are run very close to their EGT margins all the time.

Yes it is a comfortable aircraft, no doubt.. Same fuselage cross section at the A319 and the A320.. Performance is quite another thing.

We have massive issues with the ACT's. They leak, they are heavy and they do not perform very well.

The 757 is by far a much better aircraft in the long haul higher density configuration. Otherwise the A320 is the true winner.

The A321 was never designed for what US Airways is doing with it. It is being forced to perform a function beyond its original concept.

The Aircraft would be better served flying the NorthEast to Florida runs in high density configuration and let the 757's do the Transcon work..