What VX pilots tend to forget is that AS has more 737s on order than VX has Airbii.

Just an outside observer here, but anyone familiar with the SWA and AirTran merger knows exactly how this scenario will play out.
Alaska management is being purposefully vague for a reason.

The bus may go away at some point, but not anytime soon. They just got board approval to begin installing the new AS interior on the entire airbus fleet.

So Delta will lease or buy 70+ airbuses from Alaska?

I wouldn't be surprised!!

No. VX only owns about 6 of their 64 planes. As they come off lease, they'll just go back to whoever the lessor is.

Right. So Alaska spends 6 years swapping out aircraft. Sounds like an awesome plan full of growth and adventure!

In reality, it'll be stagnant swamp of zero growth, integration woes, and training events. What's sad to think about is what ASA could be if they decided to keep those planes in addition to the incoming orders.

Best Merger in Aviation History™

4 years
 

If Alaska decided to go All 737, today, it would take them 4 years to transition the VA bus guys and gals to the 73. So, nothing is going to happen quickly

No one said it would be quick, just inevitable. The Bus fleet will dwindle as the leases run out.

In the end, there will nothing to show for 4-5 billion dollar$ paid/spent/assumed.

The Virgin product will become only a memory, it's good will long flushed away

Seems like a lot to pay to keep Jet Blue out of your back yard.
:confused:

Only time will tell.