Originally Posted by
Razorback flyer
Schoolhouse rumor is md88's start retiring after the summer, gone by year's end 2020. 90's start retiring 2021, and gone by year's end 2023. Rfp for replacement "upcoming" as they don't currently have a 150 - 160 seat aircraft on order to replace. Neo 320's or 737 max 8 were mentioned. Will probably come down which is cheaper.
Again, schoolhouse rumor, so g take it fwiw. 5 year plan changes weekly.
I wouldn't count out the traditional -800 or 320's either (and yes, they will both EASILY keep the line open longer to accommodate the order). Why pay many many many billions more for a nice but moderate fuel efficiency when you only see the bulk of that one advantage on longer flights when the planes in question will be used predominately on shorter flights, but you have to pay the higher coats of the new ones on every seat on every flight?
It could also cause Canadair to front burner the -500 and basically give it away as well. What a coup that would be. Expect an even heaver handed response from the crony caps at BA if that happens though.
DL truly is in the driver's seat with this situation. They control the drawdown of the 90 with cost effective paid for assets with plenty of time left on them. That's usually not the case.