Originally Posted by
GoGators
This is an interesting question though; DL's shuttle business is doing fine, but if it wasn't MD-88s running it what aircraft could they use? Maybe the 737's but they already don't have any to spare.
73's are probably the best option from a competitive basis. Simply put, most of the folks paying the fare to ride on that route aren't looking for the RJ (even and E170) experience.
Remember the competition is not just US, it's also Amtrak. Add to that the fact that some folks still remember the old Eastern sales pitch ("if the plane is full, we'll roll another one out for you" - show my age, that was in the days of no landing slots and DC6 planes), even if it has long since gone away, and you'll bleed passengers from one of the most profitable routes in the system.
I haven't taken the shuttle in some time as most of my NYC meetings are in midtown, meaning that Acela is really the best option (for me)....