Originally Posted by
MatchPoint
Correction, the max capacity for the 757-200 (the model the 321 was designed to compete against) is 238 passengers, max capacity for the A321 is 236. That's 2 pax which is nowhere near 5%. I do agree the 757 is a much much better performer but the A321 wasn't designed for the exact same role as the 757. It was designed to be an efficient high capacity short to mid haul aircraft which much lower cost than the 757. For that reason the CPASM is significantly less on the 321, significantly. We do need to retain a fleet of 757s for long routes into high terrain/short runway airports but for domestic (48, Canada, Island, most of Central) there's no need to fly an aircraft that torches more $$.
With the exact same interior seating the 757 seats a few more. At the high end that you are posting the limit is often exits or evac time. Delta as a example with brand new interiors and seats on the 757-200 is seating 199. Their new A321's are seating 189. Same basic seats and galley configurations. A lot of legacy 757's still have old seats and extensive galleys from the days when some fool thought passengers wanted to eat. Configured alike the 757 is usually about 10 seats more.