Originally Posted by
nene
Pobably a valid point. If economy (at least for airlines/travel demand) stays extremely hot for the next 5 years, AA's strategy to borrow when rates were low and pay back during high demand will work great.
At this point, I think DAL/UAL may be waiting for demand to soften, some other worldly airlines to falter and then to capitalize on available slightly used airframes. If demand stays extremely hot though, this may not materialize.
Let’s see how the world works out in 5 years. Even if the demand softens a bit, in my mind that will mean fewer expanded routes. Replacement aircraft will still be needed.
Right now, orders are stacked up with Boeing and Airbus. If you ordered more, now, all it would do is add to their backlog..