Aircraft Lease Returns

[USA320Pilot]

Justaumechanic:

I have been told by senior Flight Department management that the company is very satisfied with the A321. Again, the long-term plan is to replace the B767s and B757s with A350 and A321s, unless used Boeings can be obtained on "the cheap".

In regard to the aircraft, I am FAA Type Rated on the B767, B757, A321, A320, and A319 and I fully understand the issues and capability of the aircraft.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[LGA / 037]

Justaumechanic:

I have been told by senior Flight Department management that the company is very satisfied with the A321. Again, the long-term plan is to replace the B767s and B757s with A350 and A321s, unless used Boeings can be obtained on "the cheap".



Gotta agree. Unless Boeing gives a sweet deal like they gave UPS on the 747 today, you gotta go with the same Fleet family to keep the unit cost down. But that 757 is such a good aircraft for the Carribean with accomodating the bags ! But there seems to be the same MTC issue with these aging birds...HYDRAULIC LEAKS !

 

[ISP]

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

[post="289385"][/post]​

CM:

Last I checked, US had 10 767 - is one of them going bye bye?

 

[Art at ISP]

ISP,

If I remember correctly, one 767 was written off when damaged beyond repair when an engine blew during repair in PHL. Therefore the count of 9 would be correct.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Art is correct.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[PHX-F/A]

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]​

over at HP they have nothing good to say about the 321. They talk it down. But it's usually the pro Boeing guys that do that.

 

[PHX-F/A]

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


Regards,

USA320Pilot

[post="289096"][/post]​

They redacted all Tail numbers and MSN's. I guess it's subject to change.

 

[diogenes]

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..

[post="289409"][/post]​

That is the info I hear from pilots and mechs.

A 757 driver told me it was not unusual for an A321 to take off 10 minutes ahead of him out of SFO headed East, and he'd pass the AB at higher altitude before Nevada.

Also true about the cargo restrictions - everything else being equal, you can book more freight on the Boeing.

I have to admit, the AB's are more comfortable.

 

[jack mama]

There are 10 767s in the active fleet. There was 12 at one point, but one was returned to BOA in 03 and one had the engine blow in PHL.

So, the question remains...where did USA320Pilot get the 9 767 #?

 

[USA320Pilot]

I just looked at the active fleet count information and I had the A330 and the B767 numbers reversed. US Airways operates 9 A330s and 10 B767s. Jack Mama's comment is correct.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[delldude]

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]​

seems funny to me....in the PIT jet shop the 321 engines are always coming through early for return to cfm for rework.i was told they have a reduced rate of climb due to being rather under powered for the a/c weight and wear out internally earlier than their other counterparts.afterall its only a stretch model....

 

[USA320Pilot]

There are many factors that go into aircraft economics such as fleet commonality, training, parts inventory, route planning, crew paring, overhaul, etc.

In regard to the engines, the aircraft manufacturer has nothing to do with the engines except to mount them on the aircraft, with engines made by contractors such as GE, Rolls Royte,c and Pratt & Whitney.

One of Southwest’s greatest strengths is fleet commonality and the Airbus A319, A320, and A321 permits an airline to schedule the fleet to match supply with capacity better than any other narrowbody operation.

US Airways is very happy with the Airbus fleet and the carrier has A350 and A320 family aircraft on order that will most likely replace B767 and B757 aircraft.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[robbedagain]

There are many factors that go into aircraft economics such as fleet commonality, training, parts inventory, route planning, crew paring, overhaul, etc.

In regard to the engines, the aircraft manufacturer has nothing to do with the engines except to mount them on the aircraft, with engines made by contractors such as GE, Rolls Royte,c and Pratt & Whitney.

One of Southwest’s greatest strengths is fleet commonality and the Airbus A319, A320, and A321 permits an airline to schedule the fleet to match supply with capacity better than any other narrowbody operation.

US Airways is very happy with the Airbus fleet and the carrier has A350 and A320 family aircraft on order that will most likely replace B767 and B757 aircraft.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

[post="289565"][/post]​

would that be attributed to the fact that Boeing and US Airways dont get along or is there more to it?

 

[700UW]

Airbus paid their way into US staying with them, do you all forget they are loaning US money to emerge from Chapter 11 as long as the new airline buys the A350?

 

[USA320Pilot]

700UW:

You’re right and that is part of the deal too. This is yet another reason why the Airbus is a better fit for the new US Airways, not to mention the total number of Airbus aircraft in the combined company. As I said before, “there are many factors that go into aircraft economics.â€￾ Thanks for supporting my point.

Regards,

USA320Pilot