Originally Posted by
EjetTaxi
Don't get me wrong the 73 flying is better, but the 321 fleet is about to stretch its legs. We are receiving the XLR this year plus another NEO variant with CFM (and additional center fuel tank). Nobody knows the missions of those planes, but could be pretty cool.
Stock prices are based on forward earnings, and smart pilots bid depending on near-future missions of aircraft WITHIN the base that they want...
The missions and trip build of UA's narrowbody fleet currently varies depending on base AND is rapidly evolving:
Airbus:
319s and 320s on lower density, shorter, and regional replacement routes (fleet most rapidly being parked)
321 NEOs (PW) currently on high density domestic routes from mid-continent (ORD, DEN, and growing in IAH) hubs
321 NEOs (LEAP) replacing possibly west coast Hawaii and transcon 757s when they arrive (with its slightly increased fuel)
321 XLR becomes the 757 replacement eventually when a critical mass arrives
B737:
737s backbone of domestic fleet with domestic strongholds EWR, ORD, IAH, DEN serving destinations all throughout US, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean
737-800s taking up more and more of the formerly regional or 319/320 flying mid-continent as some 321s take over -900ER routes
EWR 737 has some of the best narrowbody trip builds, with ORD, IAH, DEN more legs/day on average
SFO and DC currently lean toward the 737 (3 to 1 ratio to Airbus staffing) with 737 having longer stage length, with Airbus on smaller and shorter routes