Originally Posted by
climb150
Delta hung on to the MD 88's for 10 years longer than planned. The last 88 rolled off the production line before the first E145 was even made.
UA can have unlimited 50 seaters. Many routes can't support a 175 unless they reduced frequency which won't happen because people will vote with their feet. Fifty seaters have at least 5 more years unless they time out first.
It’s true that the 50 seaters are not hull restricted like the 70/76 seaters are, but they are still block hour restricted. United can have as many as they want, only providing that UAX block doesn’t exceed United NB block.
The same argument was made when the 1900’s made way for the Saab, and then the CRJ. As far as people wanting frequency and voting with their feet goes, our competition is getting rid of their 50 seaters too. I don’t see them leaving the United fleet in the next couple of years during the recovery, but I’d be really surprised if they were around once the business returns.