AA and the 777-200LR

[mstrmoe]

According to this article on exMiami, some exec allegedly told union reps that'd "he would like for the airline to obtain 777-200LR aircraft so that the airline can begin [Miami-Johannesburg flights]" 
 
I assume MIA-JNB has already been in the works, but this is the first time I've heard of the 777LRs coming into play. Anyone heard something different? Doesn't quite make sense to order new planes after the big fleet renewal, IMO. Then again, I'm no fleet planner.
 
 
Article: http://www.exmiami.org/index.php/american-airlines-execs-eager-start-miami-johannesburg-flights/ 

 

[etops1]

Yes . It was mentioned at the recent state of the airline presentation in DFW by Andrew Nocella . VP of Planning . The question came up of wether or not AA would begin ops from MIA -JNB . He said he would love to get his hands on some 777-200LR's in order for AA to fly the route . It's the only aircraft that can perform the mission profitably .

 

[700UW]

And Kirby stated they wont get a few planes just for one route.

 

[etops1]

Kirby never stated anything that I am aware of . He was not at the state of the airline meeting .

 

[700UW]

It was on the earnings conference call.

 

[etops1]

Ok . But the quote about the 777-200LR was mentioned after ward. Look . All we know is that it was mentioned . Will it come to fruition ? Who knows .. Anything can happen in the airline industry . Nothing is absolute . Let's just wait and see what transpires .

 

[WorldTraveler]

and you still have to wonder what the wisdom is of getting an aircraft that really is only needed to fly one route... sure it could fly others but it realistically would only be needed to fly to JNB.

AA is buying all kinds of new widebody aircraft models and yet none of them apparently will work for one route.

Do the economics really justify yet one more aircraft?

And the LR really doesn't compare terribly favorably to some of the new generation aircraft that AA is buying. the LR is high performance, niche aircraft that works in a handful of high revenue routes but its usage is limited and its economics will look less and less favorable in markets that other newer aircraft can do.

 

[robbedagain]

I don't really think its just limited to 1 route   even though one was mentioned  I think may be the 772LR would be used as well to Asia

 

[AdAstraPerAspera]

robbedagain is right, AA may find that the 772 might be a better fit for DFW-HKG

 

[AdAstraPerAspera]

Do the economics really justify yet one more aircraft?

 
Lol. Hysterical to hear these words coming out of the mouth of a Delta person

 

[1AA]

According to Boeing the 777-200LR is equipped with three auxiliary fuel tanks. This means more weight and either less PAX or freight to make the long haul. The 777-300ER can make the trip but you have to facture in strong winds which can kill the trip or have to make a fuel stop on the way.

 

[Kev3188]

Lol. Hysterical to hear these words coming out of the mouth of a Delta person

Lol. Right?

 

[WorldTraveler]

robbedagain is right, AA may find that the 772 might be a better fit for DFW-HKG

it makes ZERO sense to use an aircraft that can do a job but cost more to do so than another aircraft than can also do it but do so much more economically.

There are and will be multiple aircraft that AA will have that could operate DFW-HKG more efficiently than the 777LR.

Unlike the comparison between the 764 and 333 to the 777 on many AA routes such as to S. America and LHR, AA has or will have aircraft that will perform all of the routes that AA already operates or could operate and do it more efficiently than the 777.

TO buy LRs to fly to JNB and throw them on other routes just because AA has them is a recipe for quickly losing money that AA worked hard to save - much of it off the back of its employees in BK.

Lol. Hysterical to hear these words coming out of the mouth of a Delta person

The greatest complexity in DL's fleet came from the NW merger. the only aircraft DL and NW flew in common was the 757.

Every other aircraft that has been added has been related to the aircraft that have already been added.

 

[etops1]

So Delta can operate the 777LR to Africa and it's ok but AA cannot because it doesn't make sense ? Hmmm... Ok . You are one funny mofo.

 

[WorldTraveler]

DL bought the 777LR years ago and isn't considering buying other comparable aircraft that would compete with it until the 777LR is a much older aircraft.

If AA had ordered the 777LR years ago, it would be a very different discussion.

Are AA's RR engines on the 772ERs still 892s? DL upgraded its RR engines a number of years ago specifically to give the ERs the maximum performance they could deliver - and DL's average stage length on its 777 fleet (combined ER and LR) is about 1000 miles longer than the average for US carriers, or rather AA, DL, and UA. DL's 777 fleet is its longest range aircraft and they use it for very little that isn't less than 6000 miles other than some "free" time to Europe that is between schedules to Africa and Asia and Australia.

again, AA has aircraft on order that will be able to duplicate within a couple years the routes that an LR could fly EXCEPT for to JNB.