Originally Posted by
NuGuy
Heyas,
Airtran is quite aware of our "blind spot" in the 100 seat category and what we'd most likely do with any 717s.
My guess is that they'd learn from DALs previous mistake and move to aquire any 717s before DAL got hold of them. Airtran is a good Boeing customer also.
Any plan to make a viable 717 fleet has pretty slim odds.
Nu
Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
AAI has been looking at dumping theirs.
Yep. AirTran's complaints are lack of range and lack of economical maintenance support for orphans.
The L1011 was a GREAT airplane. It just wasn't maintainable. Solution, obvious.
If the Chinese actually produce a viable fleet of these re-worked MD90's (they actually have more in common with a MD90 than a 717) it might breathe new life into the program, but expect Boeing to fight it every step of the way and in the US, Boeing has the ear of the DOT.