Will DL orders 737-10MAX?
Jan 18, 2017, 7:16 am
#16
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Jan 18, 2017, 7:20 am
#17
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For people like me, well, that extra 1/2 inch makes a difference ^^^^^ (my wife also thinks the extra half-inch is nicccceeeeeee
)
Jan 18, 2017, 7:20 am
#18
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I may not notice it immediately on sitting down, but after sitting there for a couple of hours, I notice that I feel better after the same length of flight on one plane vs the other even if I can't pinpoint why I feel better.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:08 am
#20
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Since they have just bought 120 of the 737-900ERs plus 82 A321s, I'd say it's unlikely any time in the near future. Beyond that, it's hard to say. I would think the A321neo would be in contention and there would probably be interest if a 757 replacement ever materializes. The problem with the 737 is that the basic airframe design is 50 years old and while the newer models are completely different designs, the overall design is still showing its age.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:23 am
#21
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Given the rave reviews of the 739 when it was brand new, I think the bias would have made people believe the aircraft was better than it was. I was really impressed when I stepped on the 739 for the first time...and then I sat down
With DL's most recent narrowbody/regional fleet additions, E175s, CS100s and A321s, all of which have wider fuselages, I would like to think that DL is taking passenger comfort a little more seriously than their competitors (and maybe a little tired of hearing gripes about the 739), even if seat pitch isn't spectacular. I would highly doubt and new narrowbody orders from BA will occur anytime soon.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:29 am
#22
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It's the shoulder space more than butt space. I'm not exactly thin, but my rear fits into a 737 seat that has the fixed dividers, but my back is going to hurt after a long flight. Same with a CRJ, a 757, or the old A320s that DL inexplicably used extra narrow seats. However, after a 767 or MD flight, my back feels much better. That extra inch is huge.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:30 am
#23
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Given the rave reviews of the 739 when it was brand new, I think the bias would have made people believe the aircraft was better than it was. I was really impressed when I stepped on the 739 for the first time...and then I sat down With DL's most recent narrowbody/regional fleet additions, E175s, CS100s and A321s, all of which have wider fuselages, I would like to think that DL is taking passenger comfort a little more seriously than their competitors (and maybe a little tired of hearing gripes about the 739), even if seat pitch isn't spectacular. I would highly doubt and new narrowbody orders from BA will occur anytime soon.
With DL's most recent narrowbody/regional fleet additions, E175s, CS100s and A321s, all of which have wider fuselages, I would like to think that DL is taking passenger comfort a little more seriously than their competitors (and maybe a little tired of hearing gripes about the 739), even if seat pitch isn't spectacular. I would highly doubt and new narrowbody orders from BA will occur anytime soon.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:40 am
#24
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Not wider in an absolute sense but wider in a sense that it's just wide enough to ensure comfort in a 4 or 5 seat row respectively but not wide enough to temp airlines to add a 5th or 6th seat ensuring some manner of shoulder room.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:00 pm
#25
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It would be very interesting to do a blind test. Have people sit in a 737 seat and a 320 seat and see if they can tell the difference. There is a famous experiment of putting cheap whine in expensive bottles. People couldn't tell the difference. The power of suggestion usually prevails.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:07 pm
#26
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I actually did see a blind test of a 737 vs A320. Almost everyone said the 737 was more spacious because Boeing has the widest part of the fuselage at shoulder level, while Airbus has the widest part at waist level. People's minds think differently when they are told outside information.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:09 pm
#27
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Given the rave reviews of the 739 when it was brand new, I think the bias would have made people believe the aircraft was better than it was. I was really impressed when I stepped on the 739 for the first time...and then I sat down With DL's most recent narrowbody/regional fleet additions, E175s, CS100s and A321s, all of which have wider fuselages, I would like to think that DL is taking passenger comfort a little more seriously than their competitors (and maybe a little tired of hearing gripes about the 739), even if seat pitch isn't spectacular. I would highly doubt and new narrowbody orders from BA will occur anytime soon.
With DL's most recent narrowbody/regional fleet additions, E175s, CS100s and A321s, all of which have wider fuselages, I would like to think that DL is taking passenger comfort a little more seriously than their competitors (and maybe a little tired of hearing gripes about the 739), even if seat pitch isn't spectacular. I would highly doubt and new narrowbody orders from BA will occur anytime soon.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:12 pm
#28
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I actually did see a blind test of a 737 vs A320. Almost everyone said the 737 was more spacious because Boeing has the widest part of the fuselage at shoulder level, while Airbus has the widest part at waist level. People's minds think differently when they are told outside information.
Jan 18, 2017, 12:48 pm
#29
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Don't overanalyze. I was trying to keep things concise since its reasonable to assume that the FT audience would understand what I was getting at. Clearly I meant this:
Jan 18, 2017, 1:03 pm
#30
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I promise you Delta is not putting a priority on customer comfort. They are going for the cheapest price. Airbus almost always is the cheapest. Every now and then Boeing will give a great deal like Ryanair got. That's why Airbus is the favorite among ultra low cost carriers and failing airlines that don't have good enough credit to purchase Boeing aircraft.