Originally Posted by
9easy
It doesn't seem possible to make lease payments on brand new A321's with just day turns and no redeyes. The frame needs to be flying all day long, especially with ULCC covid fares. Allegiant can make day turns work because the planes are old and the cost is a fraction of a new plane. The Allegiant fleet does 6-7 hours per day (as mentioned on the earnings call last week), and no flying on Tuesday.
You are very correct and it seems some people are over reacting. Are we doing what it takes to survive now? Yes. Will there be a few more 1 and 2 day trips moving forward? Yes. But will it take over as the norm and our model? Heck no. All about utilization/casm. As we grow there will be an increase in bases though. Never going to have huge bases with a lot of gates etc.