Originally Posted by
Bzzt
I truly hope the 175 becomes a mainline aircraft and perhaps it will a few years from now. Unfortunately a lot of regionals are sacrificing their 50 seat aircraft for 175 or equivalent aircraft and the ones with predominately 175 fleets are attracting new hires. SJS seems tobe alive and well even with staffing shortages looming.
There is no realistic path forward for jets at 50 seats and less. They simply cost to much in fuel, not to mention the labor costs that will have no choice but to rise. 70 seats is the new bare minimum in jet profitability.
All its going to take is for one major airline to say they are going to fly the 70 or 90 seat jet and then the other ones will fall inline very shortly thereafter and do the same.