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Post by Olympic Ferries on Jan 23, 2024 12:27:42 GMT -8
Alaska has also brought the 737 MAX 8 into the fleet flying passengers three weeks early today. The first aircraft, registered N801AK, is currently en route on her first revenue flight AS1220 from Seattle to Los Angeles.
They will use this aircraft and the 2nd delivery in the next two weeks to help provide additional capacity to cover ongoing cancelations of MAX 9 flights in addition to supplemental service from Horizon and SkyWest.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 28, 2024 21:54:17 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 5, 2024 15:43:55 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 5, 2024 19:12:45 GMT -8
The article states American has 440 new aircraft on order from both this order and previous orders. That's A LOT of new planes. Granted, the deliveries are projected out into the next decade, and presumably, many of these new planes will be replacing older aircraft, but it's still an astonishing figure and shows how AA is the world's largest airline. The Embraer 175's will go to the regional airlines that American owns, but I'm curious what will eventually replace the 133 Airbus A319's they own. The article talks about upgrading the cabins on that subfleet as well as the cabins on the 48 A320's, which are also getting on in years, but no mention as of yet on their eventual replacement. The A220-300 would certainly be a strong contender to replace the A319, and it seems likely the A320's will be replaced with 737 MAX's, probably split between the -8 and -10.
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 26, 2024 13:36:27 GMT -8
I guess some, or maybe just a few, of Alaska's former Q400's are going to Nepal. Someone posted a photo of an ex Alaska Dash-8 at Munich on its ferry flight to Nepal. Kinda looks a little like the minimum cover-up we've seen ex BC Ferries receive after their retirement - the colours are still there, just no titles or logo. Here's the link to the photo: www.airliners.net/photo/Shree-Airlines/Bombardier-DHC-8-402-Q400/7528221/L
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 29, 2024 21:08:49 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 30, 2024 15:17:58 GMT -8
one step closer. There's been a lot of speculation (rumours, really) on airplane/airline forums about fleet integration if, and/or, when the merger happens. One of the bigger debates has been what is going to replace the Boeing 717's for inter-island service. There is no airplane currently being built that has small enough engines that can cool down quickly enough for the airline to operate the 20 minute turns the 717 does, so most folks are speculating those planes will eventually be replaced with 737's on a reduced frequency schedule with 30 minute turns, and may even operate some Hawaii to mainland flights with those 737's, like Southwest currently does. Southwest, interestingly, is providing some decent competition with Hawaiian on inter-island flights, and some of those planes will do an inter-island circuit, then fly to the mainland.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 2, 2024 12:15:41 GMT -8
one step closer. There's been a lot of speculation (rumours, really) on airplane/airline forums about fleet integration if, and/or, when the merger happens. One of the bigger debates has been what is going to replace the Boeing 717's for inter-island service. There is no airplane currently being built that has small enough engines that can cool down quickly enough for the airline to operate the 20 minute turns the 717 does, so most folks are speculating those planes will eventually be replaced with 737's on a reduced frequency schedule with 30 minute turns, and may even operate some Hawaii to mainland flights with those 737's, like Southwest currently does. Southwest, interestingly, is providing some decent competition with Hawaiian on inter-island flights, and some of those planes will do an inter-island circuit, then fly to the mainland. I wonder if Hawaiian Airaways: Horizon Airway or Alaska SkyWest will get AirBus A220 for inter island service like QantasLink replacing the Boeing 717.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 2, 2024 18:19:04 GMT -8
one step closer. There's been a lot of speculation (rumours, really) on airplane/airline forums about fleet integration if, and/or, when the merger happens. One of the bigger debates has been what is going to replace the Boeing 717's for inter-island service. There is no airplane currently being built that has small enough engines that can cool down quickly enough for the airline to operate the 20 minute turns the 717 does, so most folks are speculating those planes will eventually be replaced with 737's on a reduced frequency schedule with 30 minute turns, and may even operate some Hawaii to mainland flights with those 737's, like Southwest currently does. Southwest, interestingly, is providing some decent competition with Hawaiian on inter-island flights, and some of those planes will do an inter-island circuit, then fly to the mainland. I wonder if Hawaiian Airaways: Horizon Airway or Alaska SkyWest will get AirBus A220 for inter island service like QantasLink replacing the Boeing 717. The A220-300 would be a great plane to do the inter-island flights, but I don't see it happening, especially now with Alaska Airlines taking over the helm. Despite Boeing's maddening problems, Alaska is still very much tied to them. Airlines don't just up and switch camps on a whim. Years of planning go into aircraft purchases, and both Boeing and Airbus order books are several years out, so switching to Airbus is unrealistic at this time. For better or worse, Alaska is stuck with Boeing which means they need to fix the MAX ASAP. Additionally, the A220 would add complexities and cost to maintenance and pilot training at a time when Alaska is trying to simplify its fleet. What I think may end up happening is inter island flights going to 737 MAX-7's once that type is certified, as that plane is pretty close in size to the existing B717's. There's still some years left on the existing 717's so the MAX-7 could potentially be available when those are ready to retire. As of yet, I don't think Alaska has ordered any -7's, but I've got to think they could get them sooner than an A220. Airbus is booked several years out for that plane. The other option is to up-gauge to a 737-800 or MAX-8 for inter island flights to add capacity if the schedule has to be reduced due to engine cooling requirements. It's still way too early to say for certain what will happen, but I would be surprised if they chose the Airbus A220 given Alaska's close relationship with Boeing.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 2, 2024 21:02:04 GMT -8
I wonder if Hawaiian Airaways: Horizon Airway or Alaska SkyWest will get AirBus A220 for inter island service like QantasLink replacing the Boeing 717. The A220-300 would be a great plane to do the inter-island flights, but I don't see it happening, especially now with Alaska Airlines taking over the helm. Despite Boeing's maddening problems, Alaska is still very much tied to them. Airlines don't just up and switch camps on a whim. Years of planning go into aircraft purchases, and both Boeing and Airbus order books are several years out, so switching to Airbus is unrealistic at this time. For better or worse, Alaska is stuck with Boeing which means they need to fix the MAX ASAP. Additionally, the A220 would add complexities and cost to maintenance and pilot training at a time when Alaska is trying to simplify its fleet. What I think may end up happening is inter island flights going to 737 MAX-7's once that type is certified, as that plane is pretty close in size to the existing B717's. There's still some years left on the existing 717's so the MAX-7 could potentially be available when those are ready to retire. As of yet, I don't think Alaska has ordered any -7's, but I've got to think they could get them sooner than an A220. Airbus is booked several years out for that plane. The other option is to up-gauge to a 737-800 or MAX-8 for inter island flights to add capacity if the schedule has to be reduced due to engine cooling requirements. It's still way too early to say for certain what will happen, but I would be surprised if they chose the Airbus A220 given Alaska's close relationship with Boeing. I think airlines are starting to think twice about ordering Boeing with two loyal Boeing customers already deciding to go with AirBus. I think Hawaiian Airways being taken over by Alaska Group which could be time to start considering AirBus for narrow body's planes with Hawaiian Airlines operating AirBus A321neo.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 3, 2024 22:21:42 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 4, 2024 7:53:38 GMT -8
Gotta say I agree with SFO. Adding the words "San Francisco Bay" to Oakland's airport name would be more confusing, in my opinion.
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Post by northwesterner on Apr 4, 2024 14:29:51 GMT -8
I wonder if Hawaiian Airaways: Horizon Airway or Alaska SkyWest will get AirBus A220 for inter island service like QantasLink replacing the Boeing 717. The A220-300 would be a great plane to do the inter-island flights, but I don't see it happening, especially now with Alaska Airlines taking over the helm. Despite Boeing's maddening problems, Alaska is still very much tied to them. Alaska stays close to Boeing because Boeing has made absolute sweetheart deals (read: below cost) to place 737MAX planes at Alaska and keep them committed to an all Boeing narrowbody fleet.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 5, 2024 12:27:22 GMT -8
The A220-300 would be a great plane to do the inter-island flights, but I don't see it happening, especially now with Alaska Airlines taking over the helm. Despite Boeing's maddening problems, Alaska is still very much tied to them. Alaska stays close to Boeing because Boeing has made absolute sweetheart deals (read: below cost) to place 737MAX planes at Alaska and keep them committed to an all Boeing narrowbody fleet. But if Boeing is still missing up passenger might start staying away from airlines that are hugely Boeing planes.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 5, 2024 12:30:14 GMT -8
Gotta say I agree with SFO. Adding the words "San Francisco Bay" to Oakland's airport name would be more confusing, in my opinion. I could see how it could be confusing to American but majority of international airlines fly into San Francisco International Airport which passengers would probably head to airport while they landed in San Francisco.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 5, 2024 12:39:35 GMT -8
Alaska stays close to Boeing because Boeing has made absolute sweetheart deals (read: below cost) to place 737MAX planes at Alaska and keep them committed to an all Boeing narrowbody fleet. But if Boeing is still missing up passenger might start staying away from airlines that are hugely Boeing planes. We're already seeing that happen. For most airlines, you can see what plane you'll be flying when booking the ticket and some passengers are already booking non-MAX flights or on airlines that don't have the MAX.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 22, 2024 4:34:05 GMT -8
Some plane spotting action at SEA last Saturday, April 13: Alaska (Horizon) Embraer E175's outside SEA's Central Terminal. You can also see a Delta A220-100 behind the Embraer's Alaska E175 in the original Horizon Air retro-livery. Looks sharp.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 25, 2024 18:19:44 GMT -8
Super disappointing to learn today that Southwest will be ending all service to/from Bellingham BLI after August 4 this year, ending flights to Las Vegas, Oakland and Saturday-only seasonal service to Denver, citing poor 24Q1 results and aircraft delivery delays from Boeing.
Southwest has grabbed a bunch of Alaska's market-share at BLI (their 2023 traffic percentage was nearly 35% while Alaska's was down to similar levels from nearly 60% previously). I think this is pretty bad news in general, as you can't make connections on Allegiant, and that will force all connections thru SEA on Alaska, who currently only offers 2-3 flights/day, down from 4-5 in 2021 and 2022.
Fingers crossed Alaska will add more flights and help bring fares down a bit... but still really bad news.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 25, 2024 21:39:44 GMT -8
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