AA needs a new flight plan

[eolesen]

While I agree with eolesen that organic growth is AA's preferable option right now, I disagree that bringing back any retired/grounded planes is better than new Boeings. The only ex-AA widebodies available right now are the AB6s, and AA spent many millions of dollars grounding those dogs prior to the expirations of their leases.

No argument, and let's not forget that buying AS wouldn't contribute a single widebody.

Also agree on more orders being announced on the 21st.

 

[damajagua]

While I agree with eolesen that organic growth is AA's preferable option right now, I disagree that bringing back any retired/grounded planes is better than new Boeings. The only ex-AA widebodies available right now are the AB6s, and AA spent many millions of dollars grounding those dogs prior to the expirations of their leases. They're maintenance hogs, not all that fuel efficient, have insufficient range for most long-haul flights and too many people remember flight 587 and the Air France A330 that mysteriously disappeared off the coast of S America on its way to Paris. Bringing them back for the short-term would be throwing good money after bad. New 777s wouldn't cost significantly more and would be useful for many years.

AA can get new 777s with 12-18 months notice and with the delays to the 787-9 program, AA could probably get Boeing to help out with financing on favorable terms.

I expect that AA will announce some acceleration of its remaining 777s next week with the quarterly earnings (or loss) release. I also expect AA to announce additional 738 orders within the next six months or so.

I hope you are right about acceleration of 777 and additionals 738

 

[frontline]

The reason I am upset is that we are sure to lose market share as these other airlines take away our business with a larger route network and better cabin amenities. The time of shrinking and installing less than state of the art interiors is gone. Now that ATI is ramping up it is my hope that you will be hearing about a lot of changes at AA as far as our route structure and cabin amenities. That does not mean we are growing though. That can only happen when and if we get additional aircraft.

I'm not worried about it, especially when I see things like ATI approved with both Atlantic and Pacific partners, new routes like LAX-PVG and now today an agreement with Jetstar in New Zealand. We are on the march regardless of #1 or #3 in size. We have enough scale and frequent fliers to make lots of profits if the economy keeps recovering.

 

[JFK Fleet Service]

The 763 line is still active at Boeing is it not? Still churning out freighters for UPS I believe.Why not an additional 15-20 frames? Lord knows we need the widebody lift.

 

[787nightmare]

The 763 line is still active at Boeing is it not? Still churning out freighters for UPS I believe.Why not an additional 15-20 frames? Lord knows we need the widebody lift.

Yeah, it's still going...but it's slowed way down. It's not a very popular choice today. The A330 is much more capable(but mx/parts/tooling & constr nightmare). But...Boe is taking out the back wall of the 767 line to move them out that way after completion, and 787s(which are getting finalized before hitting the flightline)-the aircraft they are ALL waiting on--head out the front way. This is, IMO to help the 767 tanker delivery process too. Which, by all acounts I'm hearing, Boe will get...but will take time to get all pushed through congress(you know...act of congress??)

 

[eolesen]

Don't forget that #3 (or even #4) in the US is still larger than any of the Euro or Asia-Pac carriers... AA has more flights every day just at DFW than LH or BA mainline have systemwide.