Awa To Add 22 Planes To Fleet

[Columbia blue]

America West has announced a aircraft order from Airbus. This has been expected for some time, the only question was whether it would be Boeing or Airbus.


http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040527/airlines_americawest_2.html

 

[coolflyingfool]

I was wondering if there are any plans to reduce the number of 737-300s in the fleet over 2005-06, if these might be replacement a/c?

 

[mga707]

I was wondering if there are any plans to reduce the number of 737-300s in the fleet over 2005-06, if these might be replacement a/c?

Wouldn't the eight (correct?) remaining -200s go before any of the -300s?

 

[hp_fa]

The 737-200's will all be gone by theend of this year.

 

[HPearlyretiree]

I miss old 708! Bring back the -100's!

Good to see the -200's gone, good to see the 318's not coming to AWA. Just need a good transcon replacement for the 757, 737-900's anyone?

 

[mweiss]

I can't see the point in putting more 737s into the fleet after standardizing on the 320 series. What routes does HP have that a 321 wouldn't be able to serve?

 

[mga707]

I miss old 708! Bring back the -100's!

Ah, yes..."Barney, Jr." 😀

 

[HPearlyretiree]

The A321 is not a very good plane, short range not so great in hot weather, unless they can fit them with great engines, the 21 is a no go. Only US flys them in america, and they aren't in much use worldwide.

 

[mweiss]

Yes, yes, I hear that an awful lot. But I'm looking for something more specific. What markets does HP fly that the 321 won't support? Just because its range is relatively short compared to the 757 doesn't mean that the 321 won't work for the markets served by HP. Do you really need 4,000-mile range?

 

[Columbia blue]

The only routes I could think of might be further Central America expansion (shrug). The CEO ( Mr. Parker) doesnt seem to like the 321 however, or at least that's the impression I've gotten from hearing him on the subject. Still surprised HP hasnt grabbed some more 757's though.

 

[mweiss]

Well, HP sure won't buy any of them new. 😉

 

[mga707]

Well, HP sure won't buy any of them new. 😉

Hypothetically, if HP slapped some money down on the table I'm sure Boeing would be happy to keep the Renton 757 line going a little longer. Remember how TWA kept the Long Beach line humming a few extra years with their late '90s order for 25 more MD-80s.
It won't happen, but it could.

 

[HPearlyretiree]

While the startup costs would be high, they would be better served tranistioning the 757's out for 737-900's and concurrently swapping the 737-300's out for -700's.

 

[mweiss]

It just seems silly to maintain a fleet of both 737s and 319/20s. Pick one.

 

[coolflyingfool]

Isn't Condor looking to unload their 12 757-300s? If they are, I think that would be a great a/c for HP. That could be used for the East Coast to PHX/LAS runs.

I believe the A321 would not able to operate from LAS during the summer months to the East Coast. I am not positive why this happened, but I know that US dropped their A321s from their LAS schedule and returned those runs to 757s when the summer came, and they have not been seen in LAS again.

Just my thoughts.......