VX Becomes Worlds First Airbus A321neo Operator
#1
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,288
VX Becomes Worlds 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."
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."
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,506
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.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Alaska Lounge, HHonors Silver, Bonvoy Gold, National Executive
Posts: 453
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.
#5
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,288
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.
"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."
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."
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 198
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.
"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."
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.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
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?
#8
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
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?
#9
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,288
This word "continue" suggests that F is the same as it ever was.