Delta/Boeing 737-MAX Plane Transaction Thread (Consolidated)
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
There’s a meaningful difference for me in the shoulder room of a window seat of a DL Airbus and 737, so this is certainly a minor negative. Of course, this can vary by row too depending on window/sidewalk placement so there’s no real guarantee. But I think even “good” window placement on the 738/9 is tight for me. I can always choose an aisle but all else equal prefer window.
#122
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,227
I want to be excited about this, but I'm not a fan of the MAX and DL tried to "F9" the interior of the -900s so my expectations are low.
Boeing has needed a new narrow body design for over a decade. The 737 is tired and been stretched well beyond its design (with some disastrous consequences that have since been mitigated).
IMO the A320 family has a much better narrow body platform. It's wider (great for pax), higher off the ground (great for new larger engines). I would have much rather Boeing mafe a new iteration of the 757s than the large 737 MAXs. Looking back, they might agree with that now (hindsight being 20/20).
Boeing has needed a new narrow body design for over a decade. The 737 is tired and been stretched well beyond its design (with some disastrous consequences that have since been mitigated).
IMO the A320 family has a much better narrow body platform. It's wider (great for pax), higher off the ground (great for new larger engines). I would have much rather Boeing mafe a new iteration of the 757s than the large 737 MAXs. Looking back, they might agree with that now (hindsight being 20/20).
#123
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 96
Some operators might but as far as Delta goes A32X seats are 1" wider than 737 seats, and this is per the Fleet Details on Delta's website. The 737 900 ER is also significantly louder than A321's, I've measured it myself, 75DB's for level flight in a 321 versus 86DB's for a 737-900, both taken at exit rows over the wings.
So the 737 is an objectively (True, definite and based on facts) worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321. Same goes for the 757 except it's even louder!
So the 737 is an objectively (True, definite and based on facts) worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321. Same goes for the 757 except it's even louder!
#124
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Death March, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott/Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,547
Some operators might but as far as Delta goes A32X seats are 1" wider than 737 seats, and this is per the Fleet Details on Delta's website. The 737 900 ER is also significantly louder than A321's, I've measured it myself, 75DB's for level flight in a 321 versus 86DB's for a 737-900, both taken at exit rows over the wings.
So the 737 is an objectively worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321.
So the 737 is an objectively worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321.
A321 is much newer (at least Delta's are).
Agree with width and objectivity.
#125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,360
I guess I just don't get the drama. I'm not miserable even on a CRJ. I've slept just fine on plenty of 738 redeyes. No one is forced to fly on the 737. And on that note, do you think most passengers are willing to pay more for a negligible amount of shoulder room? Do you think passenger comfort was on the minds of Spirit and Frontier when they ordered the A320?
For DL's 737 MAXs, they won't have the same issue as other MAXs (no MCAS) but given that I find the 737 series to be uncomfortable compared to the A32X series, if other important factors to me are equal, I'll be opting for the routing with the A321X (or A220 or other aircraft far more comfortable) over the 737 MAX, at least if in Y. Admittedly, these are less of an issue if in F where one has enough space for the difference in cabin width to be a non-issue when sitting in the seat (the lavs on the 737-900 are still pretty awful though - I won't hold me breath for them being improved on the 737 MAX 10).
#126
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC: Bronze
Posts: 136
Some operators might but as far as Delta goes A32X seats are 1" wider than 737 seats, and this is per the Fleet Details on Delta's website. The 737 900 ER is also significantly louder than A321's, I've measured it myself, 75DB's for level flight in a 321 versus 86DB's for a 737-900, both taken at exit rows over the wings.
So the 737 is an objectively (True, definite and based on facts) worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321. Same goes for the 757 except it's even louder!
So the 737 is an objectively (True, definite and based on facts) worse aircraft from a passenger comfort perspective than the A321. Same goes for the 757 except it's even louder!
As agreed by most, for the passenger, the Airbus rules, but Delta would likely have got a great discount (and likely delivery far sooner) for the Boeing
#127
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
The Max flies just fine... the basic reason for the MCAS software was to make the handling characteristics of the MAX similar to the NGs so that no significant extra training would be required. A couple of hours of simulator time to emphasiz the relatively minor changes in handling with power changes would have been money well spent by Boeing, but somehow the Rube Goldberg like MCAS was the plan instead. All MCAS was supposed to do is force the plane to handle like an NG.
#128
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 102
Keep in mind that this deal also allows TechOps to become an MRO partner for the LEAP-1B engine: https://news.delta.com/delta-techops...n-leap-engines
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
In this duopoly Delta has an interest in keeping the competition going between Airbus and Boeing. They may be better off in the long term buying from the less desirable supplier just to keep the market in balance. Over the last couple of years it was way out of balance in favor of Airbus.
#131
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: DL; AA; UA; CO; LHLX; NZ; QR; EK; BA
Posts: 7,409
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Delta will be configuring the MAX10 with only 182 seats total…that is only two seats more than the current 739s…and I believe the MAX10 is longer than the 739s by more than a row or two…
The MaX will have more Comfort Plus seats (33 ve 21) but most of that looks like it will be compensated for by a reduced Y (MAX will have 10 seats fewer (129 vs 139)). Would be interesting to see the seat map etc…
The MaX will have more Comfort Plus seats (33 ve 21) but most of that looks like it will be compensated for by a reduced Y (MAX will have 10 seats fewer (129 vs 139)). Would be interesting to see the seat map etc…