Originally Posted by
Vsop
I understand it’s a niche market especially right now, but it is definitely more of a threat than supersonic aircraft. Yet we negotiated for supersonic growth, but not NB growth. Why?
We have in the past (maybe currently) had several 757 trans Atlantic routes (ex. PIT-CVG). I believe there is a strong possibility that a partner airline duplicates those routes with an XLR or similar aircraft. I don’t want to miss out on those opportunities.
I also think the floor is way too low. I believe in 2019 Delta was on the edge of breaking our scope agreement by not flying enough, and now we say 80% is fine? That doesn’t add up to me.
I guess agree to disagree then. I don’t see it as a threat. You can fly an inefficient old widebody JFK-LHR that isn’t at capacity but can carry a bunch of cargo and it will make money… Vs 2x XLRs or MAX that are full but can’t carry cargo and you can’t.
That being said, the high efficiency narrowbodies do have a special (and potentially lucrative) niche. Trans-Atlantic flight to LHR and CDG ain’t it.