Aircraft changes to premium transcon flights; widebody to narrow or nonlayflat
Apr 22, 2020, 6:42 am
#31
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Apr 22, 2020, 6:50 am
#32
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It's not that the flatbeds have been removed, it is simply that the aircraft have been grounded and smaller aircraft have been subbed in. The -800 doesn't have flatbeds but has the reduced capacity to support the route.
Based on the investor advice given by all three legacy carriers yesterday about a "tough fall," it would not surprise me to see the smaller aircraft stay in place. It's unfortunate, but many are predicting 18-24 months before consumer demand returns.
Based on the investor advice given by all three legacy carriers yesterday about a "tough fall," it would not surprise me to see the smaller aircraft stay in place. It's unfortunate, but many are predicting 18-24 months before consumer demand returns.
Apr 22, 2020, 6:58 am
#33
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Many businesses have been hard hit financially and simply will not be able to afford significant travel, there will likely be a drop in the use of travelling contractors, and those who adapt to remote comms, e.g. video, may move many of their meetings and other interactions to video.
Even if video is sub-optimal, the relative ROI for a one-hour meeting taking one hour vs. 2 days of productive time, can be a tough call.
Apr 22, 2020, 7:12 am
#35
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Things will continue to evolve, but I am not expecting to see great changes.
Apr 22, 2020, 8:28 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2014
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There is some variance between internal aircraft assignments and what's been filed with the public for sale. I would expect things to change over the weekend with the schedule update. Internally, UA is showing 738 for the EWR-CLE service.
Things will continue to evolve, but I am not expecting to see great changes.
Things will continue to evolve, but I am not expecting to see great changes.
Apr 22, 2020, 10:17 am
#37
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A return to the Smisek days of "No Plane is Too Small"!
Next month: prepare to meet your new transcon overload, the CRJ550. Fuel stops in Bangor, ME will be added for SFO/LAX - EWR/BOS flights, purely for nostalgia sake.
Next month: prepare to meet your new transcon overload, the CRJ550. Fuel stops in Bangor, ME will be added for SFO/LAX - EWR/BOS flights, purely for nostalgia sake.
Apr 22, 2020, 10:40 am
#38
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Kidding aside, I would do a transcon on a CRJ550 in 4A over a 73x. Plenty of elbow room and even a snack pantry (which will probably have its own version of "curbside pickup"). By then, I imagine meals on the 73x would be pre-packaged anyway.
Last edited by tarheelnj; Apr 22, 2020 at 10:47 am
Apr 22, 2020, 11:43 am
#39
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I am seeing a 737-800 on UA674, for now. The 5/27 schedule is mostly theoretical, but as we get closer (within a week or two) things like aircraft assignment will firm up.
UA is also planning to rotate aircraft in and out of short-term storage, so we might see some reactivation of previously-stored airframes, to be replaced by others, as the stand-down continues.
UA is also planning to rotate aircraft in and out of short-term storage, so we might see some reactivation of previously-stored airframes, to be replaced by others, as the stand-down continues.
Apr 22, 2020, 2:55 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,125
I am seeing a 737-800 on UA674, for now. The 5/27 schedule is mostly theoretical, but as we get closer (within a week or two) things like aircraft assignment will firm up.
UA is also planning to rotate aircraft in and out of short-term storage, so we might see some reactivation of previously-stored airframes, to be replaced by others, as the stand-down continues.
UA is also planning to rotate aircraft in and out of short-term storage, so we might see some reactivation of previously-stored airframes, to be replaced by others, as the stand-down continues.
Apr 22, 2020, 3:01 pm
#42
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I'm not quite sure why one would criticize UA -- or any carrier -- for downsizing aircraft and cutting frequencies. The demand isn't there.
If you want a 787 on the route, just guarantee the revenue to UA and I am sure that it will accommodate.
If you want a 787 on the route, just guarantee the revenue to UA and I am sure that it will accommodate.
Apr 22, 2020, 3:41 pm
#43
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Apr 22, 2020, 4:30 pm
#44
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Fixed costs of a 757 versus a 737 on the same mission can be as much as 30% higher, and UA is parking the fleet for now. Premium demand (business) is flat-out nonexistent. No need to offer a high-end product right now.
