Any truth to the rumor...

[etops1]

we did get the a330's from swiss. those were the two that were leased from ilfc (international leasing and finance corporation). we will be getting them in 2009. swiss is dumping them at the end of 2008. i think we still need widebodies faster than this time frame though. .

 

[rvolkcpa]

I heard this, and the story goes that the 340's are very expensive to maintain and fly. They're floating around available for that reason. Whoever holds the leases wouldn't want a short term lease, leaving US with an expensive airplane long after they cease needing it. Hence, a weight restricted A330.

Now, hear me out a second. This wouldn't actually be such a bad idea if they would think outside their nightmare accountant's brains for a bit. Since the silly thing will be weight restricted, why not reconfigure two of them to an industry leading pitch and service? Take out heavy seats, give generous leg room on a very long flight, and formulate an industry leading service. Asian flying is very competitive, Singapore airlines is in they fray! They have to run it light anyway, why not tout it as their service? They could actually make a good (gasp) name for it, then whenever the 350's come they could do the numbers and see whether they want to return to domino seating or not. The thing is, assumably there will be an Asian population to fly as well, right? Well, guess what? Culturally, that population does not complain. They simply do not fly you again. And they tell their friends. Wouldn't it be nice if US actually planned something out for a positive outcome?

Okay, I'll wake up now.

US Airways needs an "Employee Advisory Committee" that would give input to Tempe. I would nominate Galley Princess, Tadjr, Hope777 and BoeingBoy as employees/retirees who could help management improve service and become a real competitive airline. I probably omitted a number of others who could serve a valuable role in improving operations.

 

[cynic]

While 340s aren't the most efficient aircraft out there, it's not like they're going to cause US lose money on the China route. They also aren't all that easy to get on the used market or there would have been an announcement regarding the company picking up a few.

 

[Travelpro72]

Blame, blame, blame.....nobody does it better than Tempe. They ARE good at one thing I guess. 🙄

 

[LGA777]

I agree 100 pct with the idea Galley Princess has and was thinking about posting this so now here goes. I believe 2 A330's would be sufficent for PHL-PEK which is the same number US is getting that are former Swiss. Swiss has A-330-200's in 2 configs, C48-Y182 and F12-C42-Y142, I believe most including the two for US are in the latter. Assuming this is correct. operate the two former Swiss aircraft on the PEK route and therefore most days no passenger restrictions (total of 196 seats). With this being even less seats than the 40 or so seat restriction that was previosly suggested, from an approx 240 something seat aircraft then their might even be room (weight wise) for some cargo that would probably be more profitable than 10-20 coach seats. The demand for F and J seats is much higher on Asian routes than European ones, which is why many Asian carriers have significantly less coach seats and more premium ones than many European carriers flying the same type of aircraft on Transatlantic routes.

Tempe has shown in the past, especially at HP pre-merger that they prefer to not spend the money to standardize aircraft aquired used with other aircraft of the same type already in the fleet, especially galleys, lavs, bulkheads. etc. To support the large number of premium seats I would imagine the Swiss aircraft will have more galleys, closets, etc than the new factory ordered 330-200's US is recieving so here is another way for Tempe to save Millions of dollars, just operate them in their curent configuration with perhaps some new US seat covers and swoosh bulkheads.

When the 350's arrive they can either have their cabins "Tempeised" or be returned to ILFC.

Just my usual two cents !

LGA777

 

[SegmentKing]

whats sad about this is if the airline IS INDEED getting the 2 LX A330-200s in the 3 class configuration, they'll be lightyears ahead of what the current offerings are and will be a nice premium for the carrier until they play "Pimp My Plane" and cram 50 extra seats in there.

If they keep the 3 cabin config, what on EARTH are they gonna do with the forward F cabin? EnvoyPlus, and get an extra large slice of texas toast with dinner?

 

[RowUnderDCA]

ah memories.. my only true trans-atlantic first-class experience was on Swiss. In that kind of seat. Of course, the Old USAirways worked hard to get me that award seat.

 

[SS255]

whats sad about this is if the airline IS INDEED getting the 2 LX A330-200s in the 3 class configuration, they'll be lightyears ahead of what the current offerings are and will be a nice premium for the carrier until they play "Pimp My Plane" and cram 50 extra seats in there.

If they keep the 3 cabin config, what on EARTH are they gonna do with the forward F cabin? EnvoyPlus, and get an extra large slice of texas toast with dinner?

If US is marketing itself as a "business casual" airline, wouldn't it make sense to keep the 3 cabins, but have a "premium economy" cabin and an Envoy cabin, rather than Envoy and F?

 

[EMBFA]

Business Casual = crap. It's just a lame early 90's buzzword ressurected to excuse an appallingly cheap product.

 

[USstew23]

Well was there any word on the 340's today??? I thought usually they make some kind of announcements during the earnings reports. If not then something is definately stirring here.

 

[Non Rev]

Well was there any word on the 340's today??? I thought usually they make some kind of announcements during the earnings reports. If not then something is definately stirring here.

I just read the transcripts of the call today and saw no mention of China or 340's. They did mention that the widebody fleet would be doubling in 2009-2010.