Originally Posted by
Itsajob
Who knows? I don’t know how the math would work out buying a new jet with only 50 seats paying the bills. There may always be some 50 seat jets, but I’d bet that the number of 50 seat jets in 5-10 years will be significantly reduced. We really don’t see that many turboprops these days, and my guess is that the market and consumer preference will do the same to the 50 seat jets. They are miserable to ride in for anything longer than 30 minutes and if United doesn’t want to give consumers what they want, Delta will. They already are.
When the 50 seat jets came onto the scene, they were viewed as a godsend to the traveling public because it wasn't a turboprop. Without knowing the grand scheme of things, these airplanes were used in ways they never should have. But, they opened the doors to things never before possible. Using new technology, airline need, and passenger comfort this would not be reinventing the wheel.