I have no idea. Dancaster was saying it to interviewees that they are looking at them. That is all I have heard.

I am sure they have growth plans past 2015. Not that long ago in recurrent we were told Indigo was looking at a larger order to get a better price. No numbers or other specifics were mentioned. Obviously they are always exploring all kind of ideas and scenarios but most don't materialize. My guess is those 321s would be part of a future order but you never now.

 

Actually, ILFC placed an order of 100 Airbus NEO of which 75 A320NEO and 25 A321NEO. ILFC was the first company to order the new A321NEO. I can definitely see us getting some.

 

But A321 NEOs are the "replacement" of the 757. (According to some)

A-320 is ETOPs ready. Just have to be REALLY good at planning. (And of course spend the money to get the numbers the FAA needs to "approve" it).
Can be (and almost was) done...

 

For delivery when?

 

Expect sometime in early 2015. Not before that.

 

I have yet to see the A321 NEO's projected range (the 320 NEO claims 3,800 NM's of range, 500 extra over the 'standard' model). It could replace the 75, but, if it did, it'd have to be seriously over-powered for the majority of the routes. Unfortunately, that was the downfall of the 757 - it is too good, and burns too much fuel doing it.

According to Airbus, EIKY-KMYR may be within the range of the A319 (the current model) or the 320 NEO, though it's tight (does their range include reserves and alternate fuel?). That's assuming 124 or 150 seats, respectively, and, of course, you'd need 120 min ETOPS. Spirit's got an interesting business model, but I think we all agree this route isn't likely part of it (to charge the fares that Spirit does, you'd need to get more folks onboard to cover the fuel of transoceanic routes and still eek out a profit, so a 330-300 or future 350-1000 would likely be the best option).

The pending battle b/t American, JetBlue, and Spirit from FLL/MIA to Bogota (and points beyond, in Spirit's case) is shaping up to be really interesting, though. Legacy with all the perks, lower cost with TV's and some leg room, or 'meat in the seat' - who will attract the most customers, and who can make a profit at their price point? When Southwest starts going to San Juan is when the sparks will really start to fly!

I thought Spirit didn't have any international layovers, except Lima. If Spirit's doing service through Bogota, then it sounds like more South American layovers are in the works, or some fancy 3 pilot crew ops, which could be interesting, given the 'rest seat' possibilities on Spirit aircraft.

 

What "rest seat" possibilities are you referring to? CAL does it ALL the time. Don't need a "bunk" ...

 

That's my point. 'The Big Front Seat' is bad enough (no room for a Delta-style fancy leg pillow), but there is ZERO leg room in coach on Spirit. Then the new 320's don't even have seats that recline!

It's hard to watch those poor CAL guys pretzel themselves, and just shameful that it has to happen. Hopefully United ALPA can kill this one.

The 'proposed' rest rules would outlaw this stuff . . . if they ever are actually adopted.

In the mean time, what does Spirit's contract say, if anything, about this issue?

 

That's funny. I didn't know we went to Canada and Central America out of MYR like the article says.

Woo Hoo. Another overnight with an armed guard to and from the hotel. I love those. I would not want to sit in any seat we have for heavy crew ops.


The new rest rules would actually help this. As long as you started in the morning you could fly up to 10 hours/duty period. Of course, we would have to run a schedule like normal people during the daytime, no midnight jungle turns anymore. I believe our contract says we get paid international for BOG (one of the few that we do), Other than that, I don't think it runs afoul of our contract, but I would have to dig it out to be sure.

 

Actually most of the international flying is now int'l pay. The "Great ARM international give-away of 2003" only applies to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.