Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Maybe they have a niche subset of routes where the economics really smoke, enough to more-than-cover the fleet overhead?
Maybe they want to keep a foot in the bus door just to keep Boeing from getting complacent?
Maybe just keep their future options open?
I'd guess some of all of the above.
If you want to fantasize, maybe airbus has a widebody they like and most of the buses have very common training.
They are gone, they want them all gone. The leases on the 321 are high, they are just simply cheaper to fly right now, then the significant cost to return. Over the next 24 months as the NB market thaws, they too will make their exit. They already have a AIP with AAL, but they will go at the first reasonable opportunity. Those planes have a lot of value, Alaska is cheap, they want a return on those jets.