Originally Posted by
KC10 FATboy
I've noticed lately that the 744 has become Delta's flagship aircraft in it's marketing products (the new commercials, print ads, etc.). I find this ironic because pre-merger, all we (PMDAL) heard was that the 744s were gone very shortly. Perhaps that was true when oil was artificially high.
Now we're hearing rumors that DAL is putting more 744s on the line. So it seems DAL has warmed up to the value of the 744.
Question:
Do you see a future 747 aircraft coming to DAL in the future? How long do you see the 744s lasting at DAL?
I'd love to hear some opinions from those who are good at "connecting the dots."
V/r;
Fatty
Rumor was that RA did not like the 744. However, they have discovered the revenue capability of the aircraft in its ability to carry large amounts of cargo that no other aircraft on the property can. Also, the military loves it because it carries a full load of troops and all their equipment which does not happen with other airframes. Supposedly, it is now flying the 2 most profitable routes in the system and possibly more of the top 10 due to cargo and slot restricted airports. I can not tell you how many 403s(full pax) I have seen with 30-50 thousand of cargo to boot on a certain route this summer not to mention the VP of cargo wants to send it to alot of other cargo backed up city pairs. The rumor tends to come and go about us getting more of them. The latest last month at NATCO was they were looking for more airframes if the deal was right. I'll believe it when I see the metal on the ramp. As far as a preferred aircraft in ASIA that is on the money. It has been viewed as the standard amoung the Aisian countries. My guess is that it will be around another 5-10 years with the mods they are planning.
