Originally Posted by
SkyTeam777
Interesting that you say that because during this morning's news conference they talked about how 757s, 767s, 777s and 787s will play a role in the combined company's future but left out any reference to 747s. When was this mentioned about 747s leaving MSP and will they still be a part of the fleet plan for the future?
The 747s are primarily used on routes that nothing else Northwest has can handle nonstop. NRT-LAX, NRT-MSP, NRT-DTW. 13+ hour flights, I would say. If an A330 can do it, an A330 does it. (And better yet, if a 757 can do it...
Delta has 8 777-200ER's with a maximum range almost identical to that of the 744 - about 8000 miles with a little fuel left, on a good day.
The 787's Northwest is awaiting will theoretically be able to do routes of over 9000 miles one-way. And the 777-200LR's Delta has started taking delivery of are supposedly capable of close to 10000 miles one way.
In 2010-2011, I would expect to see those twinjets start taking over routes where the 744 doesn't make sense, either because of load, or fuel. But if there's a route that consistently runs high load, and fares aren't forced down, a 744 might still work.