Hoof Hearted

I see a few airlines which operate both aircraft while the best business models suggest that a single type aircraft airline has the most success. My question is which aircraft is more productive? To be more specific, If you run both aircraft on similar routes which one is more profitable? I understand you have different variants of each so I assume the most similar aircraft models. For instance on a flight from Phoenix to Columbus with 120 pax which aircraft arrives first, burns the least fuel, has the least maintenance issues etc.
I am just curious and not trying to start a Boeing/Airbus row.

dba74

I don't have any personal experience, but UAL decided to go w/ the Airbus and retire the entire 737 fleet, though those are the classics. It will be interesting to see what prevails in the DAL/ NWA merge with the NG -700's and -800's. I have a feeling DL will stick w/ Boeing on this if they had to pick. Also, Frontier used to be all 737's and are now all Airbus, but again those 73's were classics. So it looks like Airbus is winning vs. the old 73's but vs. the new 73's might be harder to tell yet. Can't think of any airline that operates both the A-320 family AND the 737 NG. Anyone?

OKLATEX

I haven't flown either airplanes, however, I read a book comparing Boeing and Airbus. It compared the two airplanes, and the bus had the advantage over the classic 73, however, talking New Generation 73 to the Bus, it was about even. Airbus got a lot of deals because Boeing went through a management style that was arrogant and insulting to customers. A lot of current Airbus customers approached Boeing first, but due to poor customer relations, and delays in production, many went to Airbus. Ironically, Airbus is slipping into similar problems that Boeing had, and Boeing has changed there ways to be more like Airbus.

The book also mentioned that Pratt and Whitney decided that further versions of the 737 would not be as sucessful, so they decided not to offer an engine, and put their focus on the 757. Apparantly they have experienced some mismanagement /arrogance too.

skid

All in all the Airbus is more comfortable both up front and in the back. The cabin seems to be a shade wider in the back. This is just my observation.

Having been in the Airbus I would say it has its ups and downs. My only experience in the 73's is riding up front. The 73 is still much more a pilots stick and rudder airplane and always will be.

As for economics i am guessing it is a draw. The 737's might be a shade more efficient especially with the winglets on them.

I am not sure but didnt Airbus offer the 320s at a lower cost for a while with sooner deliveries. This may be a draw that makes an airline choose one or the other. (Companies like SWA have soaked up a lot of the deliveries the last 5 years)

Really I think it comes down to are you a Boeing person or a Bus guy/gal.

shiftwork

I think the NG's do a little better on fuel up there at 410 compared to 390 for the bus. Also the 73's seem like they are a little faster when they have to be. I like the buses front office better

Hoof Hearted

For the case of argument, lets not consider the manufacturers deals made to airlines, although I know that Jet Blue got a sweet deal from Airbus.
I too have never flown either aircraft but prefer the airbus as a passenger, it is a bit wider.

Ottopilot

I've flown the 737-300/500/700/800/900/900ER, but I've never flown an Airbus so I can't say which is better. I'm not a fan of the 737 cockpit, but it works (like it did in the '60's).

shiftwork

You don't fly the 320 like you do the 73's... you "manage" it.

Short Bus Drive

Breck, click everything off and the Bus "flys", sort of.
It is unbelieveable how many pilots (because of the thinking ingrained here) "fly" the bus. Mostly everything is "selected" They don't trust it to manage. Could have something to do with the old "box" compared to the "newer" box.
Never flew the 737. But, I too have sat in the front on it, and I can tell you, I would prefer the Bus on the East to West coast flights.
P.S. I've been getting the emails from the prior regime at Sprint. Ahhhhh, things just never change.

acl65pilot

The bus is a lighter aircraft compared to the 737, but from a pilots perspective the Boeing product has been and always will be a pilots airplane. I love em!