New A/C

[autofixer]

Go with the Dreamliner. Boeing is making it with Southwest in mind! JMHO

 

[JFK777]

I think 737 are great airpalnes but how much longer can Boeing make it better. They made the 737-800 &-900 so big and killed the 757 because of it. Now that SW flies from BWI to LAX and OAK, 737-700's need IFE and more then "bare bones" service, at least sell some food.

In the late 1980's a great airline, SWISSAIR, ordered MD-11's they knew that when it came to replacing them they would have to go to entirely new airplane, they ordered A340-600's. SWISSAIR went broke but the moral here is to recognize when it time to go for something fresh.

SW now serves very short and up to 6 hour flights, the day is coming when more then one type will be needed. I don't know at what number of 737 is the "sweet spot" in the enconomies of scale but given the 400 or so SW has, they must be a several multiples of the magic number. Introducing a second type 9, smaller or larger, in sufficient number would provide economies of scale.

Where would SW go INTERNATIONAL?

 

[autofixer]

Hawaii, Europe, Carribbean to begin with and Asia later. Maybe South America? Why not? Point to point to larger markets internationally? BWI, PHL(soon), LAX, SEA, STL, MCO are all major focus cities for SWA. The connection possibilities are there as well as O & D. SWA reminds me of my almamater Piedmont; we used to fly lots of people to JFK and they would board TWA or PanAm to overseas destinations. We were often called "velcro airlines", because we would stop and pick up anyone. I miss those days.

 

[Just Plane Crazy]

I think 737 are great airpalnes but how much longer can Boeing make it better. They made the 737-800 &-900 so big and killed the 757 because of it. Now that SW flies from BWI to LAX and OAK, 737-700's need IFE and more then "bare bones" service, at least sell some food.

In the late 1980's a great airline, SWISSAIR, ordered MD-11's they knew that when it came to replacing them they would have to go to entirely new airplane, they ordered A340-600's. SWISSAIR went broke but the moral here is to recognize when it time to go for something fresh.

SW now serves very short and up to 6 hour flights, the day is coming when more then one type will be needed. I don't know at what number of 737 is the "sweet spot" in the enconomies of scale but given the 400 or so SW has, they must be a several multiples of the magic number. Introducing a second type 9, smaller or larger, in sufficient number would provide economies of scale.

Where would SW go INTERNATIONAL?

I agree with you that the B737 is at it’s maximum and therefore also at its end. Boeing has killed a good aircraft (B757) by stretching the B737 to what it is today. So for WN the B7E7 is the only other alternative aircraft they can get from Boeing. The other alternative is either to wait that Boeing will develop an aircraft to replace the B737 or to go and start visiting Airbus.

 

[mweiss]

It's worth recalling that 737s can be ETOPS, as proven by AQ's use of them for flights between Hawaii and the West Coast. WN and AQ are going to be butting heads soon if WN wants to head to the islands.

However, if WN were to get ETOPS 737s, they could fly instead to Europe. After all, six hours from BWI can take you to OAK, or it can take you from PVD to DUB. Personally, I'd hope for more service than WN provides for such a flight, but who knows?

 

[john398]

Saw this article today

Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV ), JetBlue's much bigger rival, says it
is considering a purchase of the jets, though a deal is far from certain.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/conte...79088_mz058.htm

 

[Just Plane Crazy]

It's worth recalling that 737s can be ETOPS, as proven by AQ's use of them for flights between Hawaii and the West Coast. WN and AQ are going to be butting heads soon if WN wants to head to the islands.

However, if WN were to get ETOPS 737s, they could fly instead to Europe. After all, six hours from BWI can take you to OAK, or it can take you from PVD to DUB. Personally, I'd hope for more service than WN provides for such a flight, but who knows?

According to my undersatnding AQ is just making it LAX - HNL. They can't go LAS - HNL nonstop. So this would take the B737 out of the game to go to Europe with a full load of PAX and cargo.

 

[Ch. 12]

According to my undersatnding AQ is just making it LAX - HNL. They can't go LAS - HNL nonstop. So this would take the B737 out of the game to go to Europe with a full load of PAX and cargo.

Pre-winglets AQ is limited to literally to the WC However, those little winglets actually add significantly. I think you're looking at nearly the Rockies. Might be hope for WN to Europe yet.

BUT...I don't think International...at least to Europe...will be on their radar.

 

[Just Plane Crazy]

Pre-winglets AQ is limited to literally to the WC However, those little winglets actually add significantly. I think you're looking at nearly the Rockies. Might be hope for WN to Europe yet.

BUT...I don't think International...at least to Europe...will be on their radar.

So if they can't go LAS - HNL non-stop, how can they go Rockie's - HNL non-stop?

 

[Ch. 12]

So if they can't go LAS - HNL non-stop, how can they go Rockie's - HNL non-stop?

I'm not the one that said they can't go HNL-LAS. I was refuting your statement...not supporting it. Read "...winglets actually add significantly (to range)" in my post. I am stating that they WILL be able to go much further than LAX. And HNL-LAX is not their longest route...HNL-YVR is 2700 miles vs. 2550 for HNL-LAX. HNL-LAS is only 60 miles further than the YVR route and I'm pretty sure that their new winglets could easily add at least 60 miles to range.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Stick with what is making money.

 

[Ch. 12]

Stick with what is making money.

I agree. For WN, they should not look to add RJs to serve smaller routes. If there is no room for expansion into markets that can accomodate 73's (or similar AC if the 73 is ever replaced at WN) then stop the growth at that point. There is no need to get a smaller fleet type to go into historically unprofitable market segments.

My posts were not stating that WN should go to Europe but rather were in response to Just Plane Crazy's assertions about AQ.

 

[Just Plane Crazy]

I'm not the one that said they can't go HNL-LAS. I was refuting your statement...not supporting it. Read "...winglets actually add significantly (to range)" in my post. I am stating that they WILL be able to go much further than LAX. And HNL-LAX is not their longest route...HNL-YVR is 2700 miles vs. 2550 for HNL-LAX. HNL-LAS is only 60 miles further than the YVR route and I'm pretty sure that their new winglets could easily add at least 60 miles to range.

AQ is flying into LAS with winglets on its B737 and can't make it non-stop from LAS to HNL. THey have the winglets and can't make it.

 

[Ch. 12]

AQ is flying into LAS with winglets on its B737 and can't make it non-stop from LAS to HNL. THey have the winglets and can't make it.

They have winglets on a handful of a/c, so to change the schedule to nonstop HNL-LAS with limited potential for spare equipment with winglets would be a pretty bold move. They have only begun converting a/c. And you are also assuming that AQ wants to get rid of BUR and OAK as a midpoint. Perhaps that is beneficial. And like I said...if they can handle 2704 to YVR before winglets, then 2760 to LAS is doable. I think it's a choice issue rather than a restriction at this point in time.

 

[Fubijaakr]

If it ain't broke...

DON'T FIX IT!!!

:rant: