Originally Posted by gloopy

While I share your concerns, one could say the same thing about our entire fleet. Its all the rage these days to drop epic, stunning orders in a single press release. Airlines all over the world are doing it, even when they split manufacturers. But DL appears content to divide and spread out its orders. While not getting the volume discount, DL remains a very large carrier with significant long term fleet plans (growth or even just replacement) and as such I would expect has plenty of leverage in the marketplace.

Rather than ordering a million copies of "one plane to rule them all" in one day, DL can snipe smaller orders at what I suspect are still extremely competitive prices because Boeing and Airbus know that we could and likely will order more at any time. That keeps DL nimble and flexibile, which is the key to alcohol. Or something like that.

I do agree we need more widebodies. It appears we will get some for growth in a year or two (maybe sooner?) and will likely see significant order(s) for replacement narrow and wide body aircraft in what could drag out as a long term process. But so what. Don't give us a good deal on these 10-100 planes? Fine, but be advised we have way more than that on the dockett, and can just go to the other company, perhaps for a mega order. Wait, whats that? You want to deal now? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Also we are supposedly getting finances in order that will pave the way for long term favorable rates and cash flow, so I see no pressing need whatsoever to drop a single mega order for a million planes all at once. Ever. I'm shocked at how many others in the industry follow that sheep mentality too.