Will Delta fly Airbus?

Question

Do you think Delta will ever buy Airbus aircraft? As of now, they an all Boeing fleet. Apparently the reason for that is because the made a "gentlemans agreement" with Boeing about some deal they made like 10 years ago. So far they continue to follow through with this agreement.

Also, do you like Boeing or Airbus better?

What do you think Southwest would do if Boeing discontinued 737 production and Southwest's planes got too old eventually? And, what airlines do you think will survive the next 20-30 years? I think Southwest will.

Answer 1

Delta Air Lines was one of three carriers (American Airlines and Continental Airlines being the other two) to sign an exclusivity agreement with Boeing in the late 1990s. When Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas, the European Union forced Boeing to void the contracts. However, both parties have been adhering to and intend to adhere to the terms under a gentlemen's agreement; thus Delta operates no Airbus equipment.

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Southwest will buy the planes that make money for it.  They have an avantage with a fleet which is one model.  Planes have a service life and updates and refurbishment of cabins happen periodically.  New seats are other parts like galleys or restroom modules can be ordered by the hundreds at reduced cost for large orders.  Engine maintenance also has the advantage of interchangability and pilots can be certified for any aircraft in the fleet.  I think most of the well known airlines that are business right now will be around for the next 20 or 30 years because the market seems to be there.  I forsee smaller planes going more places like the 787.  

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Large hub airports is what the modern air traveler wants to avoid.  New Orleans to El Paso is about a 3 and a half hour flight but if you have to go through DFW it takes half the day, miles of walking, a layover wait, and change of plane.

Delta has been considered by many to be a likely customer for the Boeing 787, considering its large 767 fleet and gentleman's agreement with Boeing. Delta has made bids to become Boeing's provider for 787 maintenance through Boeing's GoldCare support program.

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Answer 2

Delta have operated Airbus A310'S before

Southwest will more likely to operate the composite/carbon fibre replacement of the 737

next 20-30 years i think United , us airways and american to stay

maybe Delta, Northwest and Continental might merge

Internationals will survive maybe Qantas might have some problems

I like Boeing they are longer ranged than the airbus fleet except a340 a340 has a stupid logo 4 engines 4 long haul which not many  airlines will buy the plane because its to costly to operate and many are replacing the a340 with extremly fuel efficent boeing 787 Dreamliner's

Answer 3

delta does have a couple small airbus birds. i have flown on some small flights through delta and ended up on an airbus bird

Answer 4

Exx177, the 737 and 747 were revolutionary, but their advantages have been surpassed or at least met, by Airbus.  Having flown in 777 and A330/340 a lot, I slightly prefer the Boeing product.  The A380 is similarly revolutionary but s yet to be long-term proven, though the 747 had the same problem in the first few years too.

Generally there is much parity between the competing aircraft producers.  In recent years, Airbus has delivered mor aircraft (since around 2003) that Boeing, though out of the 787  and A350 competitors, both of which are yet to enter commercial service, the Boeing product currently predominates.  Same goes for the 777/A340 competition, though the gap is narrower.  

The A320 family of aircraft are more technologically advanced, longer range, cheaper per passenger/km and more flexible than the 737 family, but have been in service around 15 years less.  The 737 is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon: it is the Boeing cash-cow.

Trouble is, orders and deliveries are two different measures, and it is easy for a maker to win one and lose one.  It might be okay to argue about this, except that\ Airbus has gone from a minor maker to roughly equal in less than 20 years.

As for the pro-American "i will never ever fly Airbus" camp, much of Asia and Europe is becoming Airbus dominant due to a measurable decrease in running costs compared to Boeing products, especially for short to medium haul flights.  I do not think it right for American based airlines to have to use Boeing products, any more than I think Europe should be all Airbus.  It should be a business decision.

Honestly, the constant legal fighting between the two is wearisome and boring.

Answer 5

Slight clarification... Delta did fly the Airbus briefly,

having acquired them from the Pan Am fleet after the two carriers merged.

However, Delta sold the Airbus planes to FEDEX.

Do I prefer Boeing or Airbus?  Boeing, no doubt about it!

Answer 6

I hope not as Scare Bus is c**p and I will never fly on one.

Answer 7

I can't stand the Airbus, and have little confidence in their quality or safety.

Answer 8

Over the years Delta has flown McDonnell Douglas DC-8, DC-9, and MD80s, Lockheed L-1011s along with various Boeing aircraft. They definitely are not "Boeing only."

Boeing has many proven successful designs with remarkable safety records.

I think Boeing designs and engineers better aircraft. I suppose if the B737, the worlds most successful aircraft where no longer available Southwest then might buy Airbus.

Answer 9

Yes, Airbus will most likely give them some incentive to pull the market away from Boeing.

Boeing builds better Aircraft and American made. 747/777/737 and F-22 all huge innovations in aviation.

Boeing is probably still a ways from production stopping, especially with the new models. Boeing has more 737's in service then Airbus has in all aircraft. When this does happen Boeing will probably have a new replacement ready to entice.

Airlines that will survive definately legacy, especially with the current situations with possible mergers Delta & Northwest, United & Continental/Delta. American is the largest, Southwest will still be a player, as well as most large foreign airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, Air France etc.

Answer 10

No, after that FAA problem with the unsafe 737 southwest has been operating, this may cost them. I'm not a huge fan of airbus, however i think the "fly by wire" they have is a great idea for this day in age.

I think American will survive

United and maybe Us airways and delta

And no jame's Delta doesn't operate any airbuses.