Delta's A factor 

"El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!" (lightningzone) 04/13/2018 at 15:50 • Filed to: None

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After flying back to Spain from a two week vacation at home(it was good to be back in good ole’ New York after more than a year away), and sleeping like two days after that, I realized something: Airbus planes are misjudged by many Americans.

The Delta A330-200 that took me from JFK to the AS Madrid Barajas airport, wasn’t as sharp and new as the A350-900 pictured above, but nevertheless I had a very pleasant, comfortable and quiet trip. Their food is getting better too, but that’s not about the plane, I guess.

While living in Spain, I got to fly around the country and to a few other EU destinations on Airbus planes, much more than I would’ve done in the US, where many people and airlines are leaning towards Boeing and trend to dismiss Airbus as inferior.

Now, Delta is known for doing things a little differently than American and United, and it could use Airbus as a way to differentiate itself even further. I mean it’s already happening, A330Neos set to replace old 767s, A350 replacing old 747s and 777-200ERs, A321 replacing 757s, Bombardier C Series(a plane jointly owned by Bombardier and Airbus)replacing old MDs and 717s.

I think that a fleet harmonization towards Airbus is inevitable for Delta, with only exceptions being the future 797, as its bigger than a A321 but smaller and more efficient than a A330-800 Neo positioning, is still making it attractive for the airline and the 787, as Delta still holds an order for a few of those, order most likely to be cancelled.

So, Airbus will grow in preponderance within Delta, and that’s not a bad thing, as they make awesome planes.

Chariotoflove > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 16:21

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I was not aware there was a particular bias against Airbus in the US. I too have had good flights on their planes.

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > Chariotoflove 04/13/2018 at 16:39

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Well, airlines are mostly after good deals and Boeing will chip away its margins to keep market share. It’s people who bitch about how “if it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going”.  

ttyymmnn > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 16:45

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I don’t think I’ve ever heard that sentiment in such a way that somebody would refuse to fly on a B737. As an avowed airplane guy, I have a preference for Boeing aircraft, but I’m not going to plan my trip around what equipment the airline chooses to use on the route. On a purely gut, aesthetic level, I think Boeing makes prettier airplanes. But, in the end, they all get you where you are going with a remarkable level of safety—if not comfort.

For Sweden > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 16:46

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Unless you have a single type fleet (Southwest, Easyjet, Ryanair), I don’t see the advantage to having an Airbus or Boeing-exclusive fleet.

For Sweden > ttyymmnn 04/13/2018 at 16:46

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I think Boeing makes prettier airplanes

This isn’t a think, this is pure true facts

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 04/13/2018 at 16:52

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I think they look a bit better too, FWIW.

ttyymmnn > For Sweden 04/13/2018 at 16:53

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Airbuses look like they were designed by a committee because, well, they were.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 17:25

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It’s a good thing airbus is around or Boeing would have no competition as McDonald Douglas was bought by by Boeing.

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > For Sweden 04/13/2018 at 17:28

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It cuts costs on parts, pilot training, crew training, technical support training, that’s what I’ve heard mostly.

Spanfeller is a twat > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 17:43

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Airbus jets are great, but I care to thibk boeing makes better long range jets. If I had an airline I’d probably have a fleet of a320 and a321s for domestic/NA operations and 787s and 777 for long distance.

I think airbus jets have wider cabins and that helps a lot in small jets, but the 787 is just such a dream as a passenger... I think the 787 is best jet

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/13/2018 at 17:50

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Heh, Lockheed can always try again, but if they do make a new commercial plane, there wouldn’t be any on the market. Why? The US Government would buy them all. Because Lockheed DC lobby. Lol.

For Sweden > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 18:02

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Yes, but if you already have a multi-type fleet, it’s not that big of a cost to bring in a different manufacturer.

f86sabre > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 04/13/2018 at 19:23

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;)

The costs of going to an all Airbus fleet might have some incremental savings, but there aren’t that many common components between the 320family and the 330s. The 350 is an entirely different ball of wax. The C looks like it may be a game changer. For a small jet it feels roomy. The more vertical cabin walls help. The Pratt GTF is pretty amazing when you can get parts. They have pretty much gotten that sorted. We are really looking forward to playing with the C.

As far as long haul goes, my preferences now run 777, 330 and then 767. Upstairs on the 747 was a dream though. So, so nice. I haven’t had a chance to ride on the 350 yet, but I know folks close to it and they love it. you mentioned that the 350 was replacing the 777 and that isn’t the case.