787 Utilization
 

This has probably been discussed elsewhere but I probably missed it. When the 787's come on line for AC, what routes will they be slated for? I assumed that they are 767 replacements?

Ford

They are 767 replacements, but could also launch new routes where a 200 seat aircraft would do better than a larger capacity plane. The 787 will have longer range than any 767. However, AC has not given any hints as to where they will fly the first aircraft. Since AC's 763's will have the new J product and new seats with IFE in Y, too, there won't be a significant revenue gain on any particular route. The benefit will be almost entirely on the cost side, and it's huge, so that benefit would be picked up on any long-haul route where a 787 replaces a 763.

Yep - AC has 787-8s on order
 

According to Boeing the range for the 787-8 is:


7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers)

So they could do lots of routes the 767-300ER could not.

Seat 14K

I forecast that AC will use the 787 to re-re-relaunch YYZ-India service. :D

Seriously, if I were AC, I'd be deploying the 787's as follows:
- To open up long, "thin" routes.
- To replace 763's on their longest hauls (i.e. trans-pacific and SCL) since presumably the improved fuel burn would become incrementally more important the longer the route.
- Possibly to replace larger aircraft on ultra-longhaul routes that have a relatively low load factor but are beyond the range of 763's.
- On routes with 763's where there is larger cargo opportunity - my guess is the 787 will carry significantly more cargo payload than a 763.

I assume they would use them on routes like YVR - MEL and maybe even YVR - SYD during the off-season.

What about the 380, when will that be scheduled ? Soon I hope.;)

CDG-YUL as soon as AF takes delivery of their aircraft.