Originally Posted by
ZeroTT
Regardless of the answer there are a lot more to consider than variable operating expenses. Question now isn’t what makes most sense longterm but what is feasible right now given the hand you’re dealt. Maybe they cost more than an XXX, but that fleet is running up on C checks so it makes more sense to use the RJ’s. Maybe they cost more but someone is willing to pay nicely to acquire the cheaper fleet.
The great benefit of RJ's (especially 50's) is frequency. If you have 200 pax daily you can put them on 4x RJ flights and offer convenient frequency. One stretch narrowbody could carry all those people with a far lower CASM, but no schedule choice.
In normal times, frequency/convenience trumps the higher incremental cost of RJ's.
During the COVID recovery, not sure how that will play out. When they get to the point where they can mostly fill up a couple daily NB's, they might prefer to do that over more frequent RJ's... if the pax put up with it. They might put up with it for a while anyway.