Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 1462255)

Panic button being mashed pretty hard over on the LCC/AMR merger threads. Interesting reading.

Originally Posted by aviation week

August 12, 2013
Air Lease’s big bet on the Boeing 787-10 is rooted in the type’s versatility, which should allow it to serve almost every intercontinental route flown by widebodies tagged for replacement as the new aircraft enters service, says Air Lease Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy.

“We looked at the route networks of the major intercontinental carriers and came to the conclusion that the 787-10 can operate effectively in about 95% of the routes that are currently served by aircraft such as [Airbus] A340s, [Boeing] 777-200s, 777-300s, 747-400s and so on,” Udvar-Hazy explained on a recent earnings call. “So it can serve a very, very significant portion of all widebody operations, all the way out to 7,000 nm.”

Air Lease helped Boeing launch the 787-10 with a 30-aircraft memorandum of understanding (MOU) at June’s Paris air show. The MOU also adds three 787-9s to existing firm orders for 12. One 787-9 is scheduled to arrive in 2017, while the first 787-10s will come a year later.

Udvar-Hazy points to the competitive range and added capacity as the newest 787’s key differentiators. The 787-10’s 18-ft. fuselage stretch means six more rows of seats—54 passengers in a nine-abreast coach cabin—compared with the 787-9, which will boast a range of 8,500 nm. The longer tube also means two large pallet positions below deck, or one pallet plus four LD-3 containers.

“So both the passenger revenue capability of the airplane and the underfloor cargo capacity of the airplane increase significantly over the 787-9, with minimal changes to the aircraft,” Udvar-Hazy says. “The result is that the unit economics of the airplane, in terms of seat-kilometer cost and the additional cargo capability . . . put it in a very unique and advantageous position.”

Air Lease continues to work with Boeing on the 787-10’s “development and final product definition,” said Udvar-Hazy. But two key details—maximizing commonality with the 787-9 and pushing the range to 7,000 nm.—have apparently already been decided.

“We essentially have an airplane now that has almost the capacity of a 777-300ER, but with substantially lower trip costs and [direct operating costs] on a seat-mile basis,” Udvar-Hazy says. “So it’s really a quite easy equation, which results in a superior airplane in terms of economics for the airlines.”

A sizable 787 commitment helps keep Air Lease’s portfolio right where management likes it—balanced. The lessor has signed up for 30 Airbus A350s for delivery starting in 2018. It also has 21 Boeing 777-300ERs, as well as 21 Airbus A330-200s and A330-300s either in its portfolio or on order.

“This balancing concept prevents us from becoming overly exposed to any single aircraft type that might be impacted by market conditions,” says President and COO John Plueger.

Air Lease also believes a large, diverse fleet of new-generation widebodies sets it up to capitalize on the phasing out of twin-aisles delivered 10-15 years ago.

“We looked at what is the requirement to replace those aircraft as we look at between, say, 2015 to 2022,” Udvar-Hazy says. “And that’s where we see the A350-900, the A350-1000, the larger members of the 787 family, and then ultimately the 777X.”

The strategy is already paying off. Air Lease says it has placed eight of its 787-9s and is fielding inquiries for A350s.

Originally Posted by buzzpat (Post 1461558)

Break break....I love my job. Just met Nicole Kidman.

Carry on....

Originally Posted by Timbo (Post 1462205)

Delta was by far my first choice airline to work for, and at the time of my interview they had a lot more bases that are now closed, and there were very few commuters, only the most senior Capts. who were commuting to ATL to the L10-11/Int. to bump up their final average earnings commuted.

BUT...if, in the interview they had told me, "Well, you MUST live in ATL, no commuting, and we are going to close BOS and MIA." I would have gotten up and left and gone to my 3rd round of interviews at American, who by the way, still has both a MIA and BOS base (and DFW and ORD, like Delta had back then) and who still have their retirements! :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Elvis90 (Post 1462096)

Dude, who peed in your Wheaties?

Originally Posted by brakechatter (Post 1462046)

In disagree that this a no/low cost item for starters.

I would also submit that you checked the box that asked if you were willing to relocate when you applied.

The problem with you is that you don't care if someone had to walk to school both ways in 8 foot snowdrifts. MY point was that I have been in your shoes, I made it work without a commuting policy, and we have made enough dispensation for commuters in our contract, IMO.

Seeing the world through "their" eyes only has burned the Delta pilots more than once. Some people never learn I guess.

As for say in the matter, I have as much as you. You instruct your reps and I will instruct mine. Expressing my sorrow was indicative that I understood your plight and felt your pain, yet arrive at a different conclusion.

I no longer carry that sympathy for you. Perhaps we may get something for getting RID of the commuter clause. Maybe that needs some costing/negotiating/changing. You would do better to keep silent on the issue, for you do not help your cause with the sleeper cells on here. Somehow I think you won't heed that advice.

So did you check the willing to relocate box?

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1462102)

No, please put me on your ignore list.

Originally Posted by georgetg (Post 1462308)

http://i.imgur.com/LjW51mj.jpg

Cheers
George