Originally Posted by
WarmSandDreams
The only thing I'll disagree on a bit is the dedicated interisland fleet. It's going to be 737s, I'd guess ng's, and they're going to be painted in Hawaiian colors. Find your highest time low cycle 800s, send them to the islands and let them live the rest of their lives out there. No max engine issues. Then a few max 9s to replace the 321NEO with some being painted Hawaiian colors but most in Alaska paint. Most HNL-West Coast done by HNL based pilots, West Coast pilots take care of the outer Island overnights. That's what my money would be on(I wouldn't put a lot of money on it though, until airplanes actually start leaving it's all just a fun guessing game)
I like a curveball. I can see that happening too.
Where I would push back is that I actually think it is an advantage to fold the fleet into the larger network. Dedicated fleets offer vulnerabilities that can be eliminated if it is just any ETOPS 737 doing it. An AD affecting only NG, or a lack of spares, could be problematic.
I just hope AS does it right and keeps the spirit of inter-island flying, as close to what it is, as possible. I get having to streamline fleets, increase utilization, and cut the fat, but I want to see the HNL base stay and grow for pilots, and I want to see that unique flying stay unique. I still think a 737 is going to be doing it 100%.