The pie chart for airline costs changes dramatically with labor costs and fuel costs. But if you get airplanes cheap enough, you can afford the extra fuel flow. 15 years ago AMR said their break even point for flying old, paid for MD-80s was 70 dollars a barrel. Above that, it made sense to buy a better airplane. Oil went to 120, stayed there for several years, and AMR ordere d500 737's and A320/1's.

The part of me that hates Guppies was glad we cancelled the 737-700 order. The little bit of beancounter in me thinks we were getting them at 75% off list price, and that made them so cheap, we wouldn't notice the extra 13% fuel burn that they would use over a MAX.

Same with the new 767. I don't know what deal Boeing is going to strike with us, but if the price is really good, it might make a lot of sense financially.

The risk is that oil goes back up over 100 a barrel, and that "cheap" 767 is now not so cheap.

I love flying the 756, but I hope if they make a deal for them, it is a smokin' deal.