…or that says Miata on it! Because nobody wants an old, new plane and nobody wants girls to tell them their car is so cute.

 

Cue Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles:

”You watch your ass!”

 

lol….all roads/threads lead to a Miata….😂

 

^^^^^What Whack said. I guess I have a thing for girl cars. As for the MAX7’s that are already built. I would guess that the company wants them because we need airframes and it allows for them to retire more -700’s while replacing them with similar sized aircraft. I’m sure Boeing has already or is going to be compensating the company for taking 7 year old frames for the shorter service life.

 

Just as SWA did with the RTS of the Max 8, all those Max 7's( I think 26) that are built, SWA won't be touching those for quite a while. Tech has already stated that those will be the last to get on line. All those 8's that are on order will just be converted to 7's since it's on the same assembly line. If the 7 gets its airworthy in late 2026, I can see in 2027-2028, SWA pretty much getting 90% Max 7's in the deliveries. I don't know what the cost is but I bet you it's in the Billions keeping those 700's around vs the Max 7, which should have been on the property almost 10 years ago. I just hope the economics of the airplane are as advertised. If it is, it will be a big benefit to SWA no doubt. SWA average stage length is still less than 800 miles. Many city pairs that need that airplane to balance capacity at the operating cost of that airplane.

 

150 seats is still a pretty big aircraft. The word from the airline CEO gripe podcasts is that GTF engines so far have been about a break even when it comes to economy vs maint cost/time off wing. Take it with a grain of salt since they negotiate engine leases and have to deal with the finicky Pratt engines too, but I am sure where there is smoke there's fire.
This company needs a smaller gauge aircraft in a big way. The E2 is the belle of the ball all the sudden since Alaska will have to replace their 717s. Be interesting to see if SWA takes the plunge or lets another one get away.

 

They’ll pressure Boeing to design the Max6.😂😂😂

 

Can you imagine the fuselage and wing of the 737-100 with a big ass LEAP engine?

it would be glorious

 

I agree that it is still a pretty large airplane but most of the city pairs that SWA flys currently fit that gauge. A lot of those markets are mature. In some cases it would be bring supply/demand back in balance because of the 175 seats. More importantly, the operating costs are lower. As for a smaller airplane, that’s a separate question because that would open up opportunities in smaller markets that 7/8 probably can’t do profitably in p2p operation. They already said they are taking less of the 7’s than originally ordered. High frequency city pairs have not come back post COVID. Hence why less 7’s. 7’s are a replacement aircraft not an addition. Their maybe some new opportunities with the 7 but since the company already has stated that single fleet type days are numbered it’s mute now. My bet is another narrow body that has some range the Max can’t do. Although the side letter is dead at the moment, it seems the tea leaves are blowing in that direction. BJ/AW have mentioned this a few times now. I’m just glad the 700’s are going away. A lot of them are just tired.

 

We just need the new MAX1-COMBI. 50 passengers and one pallet.