Originally Posted by
Dunkin
United is about to order 200 new NB jets, Delta needs to replace their 717s and 75/767 fleet, and SWA will be ordering more Max’s. These companies will be increasing their long term debt with these orders, AA already went through the process of updating their fleet in one large order years ago. AA’s gamble to replace the fleet in one large order vs spreading it out over the years backfired with COVID but all 3 legacies will most likely have similar debt levels in 5 years.
This is what I was going to say next. Delta can only find great deals on orphaned aircraft for so long. Eventually, they will have to take on a lot of debt, unless they go down road the buying a stake in other airlines again. maybe that will work the second time...