Originally Posted by
sailingfun
The RFP asks for proposals to deliver 100 to 200 firm aircraft, with an option for 200 more, starting in early 2013. It asks the manufacturers to consider large, medium and small narrowbody planes to be operated by Delta as mainline aircraft.
Very interesting.
Airbus would offer, I'm assuming, the A321, A320 and A319. The problem is that the neo (new engine option/offer) isn't supposed to be available until 2016, which is a little outside the 2013 date. That's the efficiency they would want to buy. Cheaper to buy used A320s.
Boeing could offer the 737-900 as a 757 replacement (large narrowbody), and I guess the 737-800 as a medium narrowbody, and the 737-700 as the small narrowbody. Again, not very efficient, older technology.
I am discounting Embraer as they only have the EMB-170 to EMB-195 series, which aren't big enough on the top end. They might offer the EMB-195 as a DC9-50 replacement. I think that would get kinda political whether Delta would want to fly that here.
Bombardier only has the C-Series at the top end, which could be on offer, as it enters service in 2013. But, the largest one holds 120-145 seats - likely they would use a two-class configuration which would be closer to the bottom end of seating. Same thing with the politics of flying the plane here vs a regional.
I don't think the Russian (Sukhoi Superjet 100) or Chinese (ARJ-100) airplanes have a chance. Little support and I wouldn't want to buy any manufacturers first airliners.