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VX Becomes World’s First Airbus A321neo Operator
Airbus Delivers First A321neo to Virgin America
Inaugural flight is SFO-DCA on 5/31. Interesting that it starts out on an transcon after AS said it might be a better "north-to-south airplane." |
Originally Posted by dayone
(Post 28216228)
Interesting that it starts out on an transcon after AS said it might be a better "north-to-south airplane."
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Also, wasn't it the 320s that were "north-south" planes (for range / capacity reasons)?
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Originally Posted by jamespvg
(Post 28216474)
Also, wasn't it the 320s that were "north-south" planes (for range / capacity reasons)?
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
(Post 28216331)
Not surprising at all. Plane and crew (VX) already allocated for the route, and they probably can't currently swap a DCA slot between AS and VX as they remain two separate carriers.
Originally Posted by jamespvg
(Post 28216474)
Also, wasn't it the 320s that were "north-south" planes (for range / capacity reasons)?
Originally Posted by lg20
(Post 28216545)
The Investor Day presentation showed the A320 vs B739ER, with the transcons gaining the bigger planes. So I would guess the A321neos fit that as well with a similar seating capacity to the 739.
Minicucci said Alaska is learning a lot about the Airbus planes since taking over Virgin America, but noted Alaska's success has always relied on placing "the right airplane in the right market" and thinks the Airbus A321 has limited use on transcontinental routes. Alaska Air doesn't want all of the Airbus A321neo jets Virgin America ordered"We think it's a better north to south airplane," he said, later continuing, "Whether they go to Hawaii or transcon, I think we will make the right decision to maximize their potential." |
Originally Posted by dayone
(Post 28216562)
C'mon, guys, it's not like I made that up...
Minicucci said Alaska is learning a lot about the Airbus planes since taking over Virgin America, but noted Alaska's success has always relied on placing "the right airplane in the right market" and thinks the Airbus A321 has limited use on transcontinental routes. Alaska Air doesn't want all of the Airbus A321neo jets Virgin America ordered"We think it's a better north to south airplane," he said, later continuing, "Whether they go to Hawaii or transcon, I think we will make the right decision to maximize their potential." Ben Minicucci - Alaska Air Group, Inc. - President & COO Hi, Helane, it's Ben. And Andrew and I are partnering on this with his team. The Airbus is a great airplane. As you know, we love Boeings, we are all Boeing and we are proud of that and we are learning a lot about the Airbus. What I will tell you is where you put the Airbus, one of the things we've done well is we put the right airplane in the right market. The Airbus is limited, the A320 at least, is limited as a transcon airplane. We think it's a better north to south airplane. So at least in the next five years I think you will see Andrew's team work with the ops team really to get these airplanes in the right markets to really maximize their potential. And so where the 321s go, whether they go to Hawaii or transcon, I think we will make the right decision for to maximize their potential. |
Originally Posted by SNAnghbr
(Post 28216918)
That is actually a misquote that the journalists did not correct. The actual quotation as seen below from the official transcript from the conference call has Ben saying that the A320 was limited not the A321 which they see as a transcon or Hawaii plane.
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Originally Posted by Fanjet
(Post 28216940)
Well... that makes more sense. I really can't think of any north-south route that would warrant scheduling with an aircraft having over 180 seats with considerable frequency. BTW, does anyone know if the F cabin on these 321s will have the "new" F seats (and seat pitch), or the standard VX F seats?
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Originally Posted by ptownca
(Post 28217261)
I can't imagine if this is a VX livery plane it would not have the typical VX F seats.
This word "continue" suggests that F is the same as it ever was. |
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