2026 class drops
 

Figure we are done with 2025 now so starting a new thread.

first things first, what kinda hiring are we gunna do next year and which bid statuses are you guys expecting to grow?

If you guys are interested, I’m ready to immediately change the topic of this entire thread and drift into a tangent about something barely related to class drops.

Seriously though I think the biggest holes in the system are going to be created by the people going to the XLR bid status(es) as it grows. Went way more senior than I think anyone expected. Besides the obvious of LGA, I think the vacuum will mostly pull from MIA and DCA as it’s a stomachable commute. MIA 320 sat stagnant for a while (ask CRJJ) but now is showing up on drops in big numbers, so hopefully finally seeing some action there.

All signs point to a good year for PHX and ORD with the announcement of new gates in ORD and new routes in both.

LAX… I would really like to see something positive here this year. Anything! Even a single new WB route out of LAX even would be huge. I am not optimistic but I really hope to be surprised.

When do the new modular DFW gates open? That will be great for everyone.

LoL




Filler

Lot to speculate on in there but I wouldn’t expect anything from LA for awhile. Terminal construction has really limited operations and unfortunately it’s a long way from being complete. Since we’ve shrunk the domestic operation accordingly I don’t really see much happening.

Good news with LA is that because of the heavy jet flying already in place it’s hard to see them ever closing it. But… you never know.

The sleeper one that seems ripe for more long haul is PHX. Massive domestic growth following the population growth of the city and the growing tech sector connection with Asia. At least year round flights to HND, ICN, PVG and LHR should be a no brainer as discussed in the other thread. Assuming we can get the get space on both on ends.

Yeah the 320/LGA/I went senior on the first one, but I won't be surprised if people start jumping ship once they get the Atlantic Division qual and leverage that to pick up stuff on the XLR over makeup.

Is the Europe schedule locked down for the summer? So just JFK to EDI on the XLR until August then?

Was hoping we would announce more Europe on it soon.

Who knows? Seems like they want to use these deliveries mostly to replace the 321Ts so they can have a consistent product on those routes and start refurb the 321Ts back to 20/170 more than Europe expansion.

My guess would be replacing 787/777 routes in the winter with XLRs for the end of 2026 and more seasonal Europe destinations on XLR for summer 2027.

It seems like they launched the one Europe route on it to get pilots AE qualified before a larger push into Europe.

The high seniority of the CA’s for LGA/320/I is an anachronism that will likely change. It’s only 25 guys, many of whom are looking to game the system, and others that are looking for the exits already. Until the bid packet finally gets published and more cities announced, the real long term seniority picture will come into view.

75/76 jr CA was #6000 IIRC so I'd think it might end up around there, but maybe not.