Originally Posted by
4V14T0R
Two things, I wouldn't have any expectation for the -7s until they are actually flying the line. The delay on this plane is insane. Secondly, it will likely be to replace the tired 700s with very minimal growth in fleet count. They've stated in the past they want to be an all Max fleet by 2031, that's 5 years to get rid of hundreds of airplanes.
I agree with this with the caveat that this unique fleet replacement strategy allows them some flexibility to grow airframes if it makes sense with out a lot of big capital expenditures. The Max 7 aircraft are being obtained at an extremely low cost (source - previous earnings calls) and the 700 aircraft that are going into 2027 have largely all been through costly heavy checks and many of them are getting interior refurbs. If it makes sense to keep capacity flat, they can retire old airframes. If it makes sense to keep operating 700 aircraft, they will have the flexibility to do that.
So who knows. It's a pretty interesting time right now. The economy keeps chugging along despite multiple things that would seem to be quite destabilizing in previous days. That's a good thing. I wouldn't believe anything you hear or see, though, until it actually happens since it can come to a screeching halt.