‘We fly more Boeing airplanes ... and we look forward to flying more’
May 16, 2019, 6:40 am
#1
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‘We fly more Boeing airplanes ... and we look forward to flying more’
Marketplace from APM has a wide ranging interview with Ed Bastian in their Corner Office podcast feed. Nothing especially noteworthy, but a couple interesting nuggets.
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/co...ig-on-airports
In response to a question about the Boeing MAX debacle, Bastian voiced strong support for Boeing and its planes. He pointed out that Boeing flies more Boeing planes than any other manufacturer and “look forward to flying more in the future.” Given all the teeth gnashing about whether Delta will buy another Boeing, I thought it was interesting.
The other interesting ting thing he talked about was that by 2024, Delta will have 30 gates at LAX. He said before the move to T2/3, they had just 15. Currently, there are 21 gates at T2/3, so will be interesting to see how the balance materialize.
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/co...ig-on-airports
In response to a question about the Boeing MAX debacle, Bastian voiced strong support for Boeing and its planes. He pointed out that Boeing flies more Boeing planes than any other manufacturer and “look forward to flying more in the future.” Given all the teeth gnashing about whether Delta will buy another Boeing, I thought it was interesting.
The other interesting ting thing he talked about was that by 2024, Delta will have 30 gates at LAX. He said before the move to T2/3, they had just 15. Currently, there are 21 gates at T2/3, so will be interesting to see how the balance materialize.
May 16, 2019, 7:26 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: SkyMiles, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 129
That was a good "non-response" answer. Delta had been flying a lot of Boeings for awhile, now they're buying a lot of Airbuses. If Boeing can get its act together and make a good business case, Delta will buy more Boeings. Airlines need to have good relationships with pretty much every manufacturer out there: a competitive market is good for aircraft purchasing. What I'm reading into it is that as long as Delta flies airplanes, Delta will be buying airplanes and that Boeing will be one of the manufacturers under consideration.
The other aspect to this is that he's quietly warning Airbus not to take Delta's business for granted. Yes, Delta and Airbus have a great thing going right now, but Delta will act in Delta's best interests.
The other aspect to this is that he's quietly warning Airbus not to take Delta's business for granted. Yes, Delta and Airbus have a great thing going right now, but Delta will act in Delta's best interests.
May 16, 2019, 7:30 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
Marketplace from APM has a wide ranging interview with Ed Bastian in their Corner Office podcast feed. Nothing especially noteworthy, but a couple interesting nuggets.
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/co...ig-on-airports
In response to a question about the Boeing MAX debacle, Bastian voiced strong support for Boeing and its planes. He pointed out that Boeing flies more Boeing planes than any other manufacturer and “look forward to flying more in the future.” Given all the teeth gnashing about whether Delta will buy another Boeing, I thought it was interesting.
The other interesting ting thing he talked about was that by 2024, Delta will have 30 gates at LAX. He said before the move to T2/3, they had just 15. Currently, there are 21 gates at T2/3, so will be interesting to see how the balance materialize.
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/co...ig-on-airports
In response to a question about the Boeing MAX debacle, Bastian voiced strong support for Boeing and its planes. He pointed out that Boeing flies more Boeing planes than any other manufacturer and “look forward to flying more in the future.” Given all the teeth gnashing about whether Delta will buy another Boeing, I thought it was interesting.
The other interesting ting thing he talked about was that by 2024, Delta will have 30 gates at LAX. He said before the move to T2/3, they had just 15. Currently, there are 21 gates at T2/3, so will be interesting to see how the balance materialize.
It really only makes sense to say that, as there are only 2 practical companies to buy larger planes from. No point to needlessly antagonize one of them. Boeing picked the fight over the C-Series not Delta. Even if EB has no plans to buy from Boeing, keeping them as an option is still the best way to get better discounts from Airbus.
May 16, 2019, 7:54 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Detroit, MI
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I think you need to look at when the Airbus purchases were made. I believe all of the Airbus orders were finalized under Richard Anderson. Ed may not be as much of an Airbus fan as Rich.
May 16, 2019, 8:18 am
#5
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I hope (and believe) that a company as large and successful as Delta isn't making any decisions of this scale based on what company the CEO is a fan of.
May 16, 2019, 8:19 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2012
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May 16, 2019, 8:24 am
#7
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Yes, but it is not unlikely that different CEOs have different perspectives on priorities. That could include cost focus, customer comfort focus (which, let's be clear, in the narrowbody market is a clear nod to Airbus), ease of doing business focus, and so on. Cost ultimately is the single most important driver of course, but secondary factors may have different degrees of consideration depending on the CEO or the strategy direction of the airline.
May 16, 2019, 8:30 am
#8
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The fact of the matter is, and as much as I'm a fan of Boeing airplanes and especially the 787, the planes Delta is buying from Airbus are better planes from a passenger perspective, at least sitting in coach. I currently will book on an Airbus over a similar Boeing now if times/schedules/connection cities allow. The Airbus narrow bodies have 18"+ seats (18.7" on the A220!) while it's only 17" on the 739. The wide bodies are also minimum 18" where the 787 operators are going 17" and squeezing in 3-3-3. The A350, A330-900 and A333/332 are fantastic planes from a customer's perspective. I'm just glad Delta didn't go the route of AA/UA with 3-4-3 in the 777 remake.
May 16, 2019, 8:41 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Yes, but it is not unlikely that different CEOs have different perspectives on priorities. That could include cost focus, customer comfort focus (which, let's be clear, in the narrowbody market is a clear nod to Airbus), ease of doing business focus, and so on. Cost ultimately is the single most important driver of course, but secondary factors may have different degrees of consideration depending on the CEO or the strategy direction of the airline.
May 16, 2019, 8:49 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Detroit, MI
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I did intend "fan" to mean preference. Certainly not a "boeing-ain't going" person.
May 16, 2019, 8:52 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2017
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Sorry to nitpick.
Anyway I agree with other posters about why say anything negative about Boeing, both for negotiations with Airbus plus they don't want to stir up public mistrust of the Boeing aircraft Delta does fly.
May 16, 2019, 10:58 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: RDU
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Posts: 44
I was hoping that Kai was going to ask Ed about Delta's current stance on the Export-Import Bank and perhaps the C1000/A220 shenanigans as a follow-on to the Boeing fleet question.
Also, an update on the refinery in PA would have been interesting.
I was surprised that Ed was so forthcoming about Delta's APAC strategy, sounds like the region accounts for less than 20% of annual revenue and it's not an area for which they're looking to expand necessarily.
Also, an update on the refinery in PA would have been interesting.
I was surprised that Ed was so forthcoming about Delta's APAC strategy, sounds like the region accounts for less than 20% of annual revenue and it's not an area for which they're looking to expand necessarily.
May 16, 2019, 3:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
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Would be nice if it actually happens early (one article a while back said 2021 was possible).
