Northwest to make DC-9 decision next year

[nwa400]

I dont know what airplane NWA will get but I do know that MARY IS HOT!!!!!
YIKES!

From http://runwaygirl.blogspot.com/

Monday, 22 October 2007
40 Years Old But No Virgin
Northwest Airlines has begun touting its international fleet as "the youngest" of any North American airline, after taking delivery of its 32nd Airbus A330 aircraft. The self-promotion certainly makes sense. Travelers like flying in brand spanking new aircraft because they're seen as safer, more comfortable and friendlier to the environment. Is there anything less reassuring than stepping onto an old, paint-peeled aircraft that looks like it is being held together with masking tape?

Why then does Northwest continue to push back a decision on replacing the over 100, aged McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft in its domestic fleet? Some of these jets are 40 years old, boasting build dates from 1967 - the same year that Lyndon B Johnson was President; Elvis and Priscilla were married; the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; and Pamela Anderson was born. Unlike Anderson, however, Northwest's DC-9s haven't received much plastic surgery of late. Some of them look downright decrepit.

Northwest says it expects to make a decision about DC-9 replacement next year. The company claims it is holding off to see if a manufacturer makes a new 100-seater that has the same carbon composites as the 787, of which Northwest is the North American launch customer with an order for 18.

The airline remains one of the leading candidates to launch Bombardier’s proposed 110-to 130-seat CSeries (it is also evaluating the Embraer E-Jet, and the Sukhoi Superjet 100). But Bombardier isn't expected to make a CSeries launch decision until calendar 2008 with a targeted entry into service in 2013. If Northwest opts to replace it's DC-9s with CSeries aircraft, will travellers be flying on near 45-year old DC-9s by the time CSeries deliveries take place?

That’s a question only Northwest can answer. For now, however, the carrier’s decision to advertise the newness of its international fleet only serves to highlight the fact that it’s domestic DC-9s are anything but.

 

[cynic]

Wouldn't the 190/195 make more sense as a DC9 replacement? Especially considering that 170/175s are usually not flown by mainline pilots.

 

[QA4Jet-A]

We may get those by default through Midwest Airlines. It would make more since to purchase a product like the A320, and stick with it. The Airbus family covers 100 to over 160 chairs. You would cut your maint. cost, cut training time. It has worked well for others but I must not be seeing the big picture.

... and keep in mind that Midwest only has 25 717s....

 

[flybynite]

Has anyone considered the babybus A318?

 

[FWAAA]

Has anyone considered the babybus A318?

Far too much aluminum for the airplane's capacity. Large cross section, heavy weight, burns a lot of fuel and has a lot less capacity. The worst possible combination when fuel is nearly $3/gal.

Even when fuel prices were one-fifth of today's prices, airlines weren't buying the A318 and they certainly won't now.

 

[flybynite]

What are the differences in weight and capacity? They have about the same range in miles.