Delta still wants Boeing to build a new mid-sized widebody
Delta Air Lines wants Boeing to build a new widebody jet for the so-called middle of the market, even as the planemaker faces questions over its aircraft development process following the 737 MAX.
"We’re interested in Boeing coming to market with a new airplane," said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, at the carrier's investor day Thursday. He was specifically referring to a jet that could replace Boeing 757- and 767-sized aircraft on flights to Europe.
Bastian's comment came after he said he was "not convinced" that Airbus' 757 replacement, the A321XLR, is the right plane for the transatlantic market.
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Delta's support for a new mid-market Boeing jet is not new. Bastian called on the Chicago-based planemaker to launch and begin selling the proposed New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) in March. The NMA would seat up to 270 passengers with a range of about 4,600-5,750 miles.
However, Bastian's comments came just days before the crash of a 737 MAX in Ethiopia and a subsequent global grounding of the Boeing workhorse. The planemaker has since focused its energy on returning the MAX to service, which is not expected before early 2020.
"Our priority is safe return to service for the MAX," said Dennis Muilenburg, CEO of Boeing, in October. "With that in mind, we are continuing to drive forward with our efforts evaluating NMA. We still are not at a decision point nor are we ready to be at a decision point yet."
Related: FAA Administrator says Boeing 737 MAX won't fly again until 2020
Some have raised the question of whether it might be better for Boeing to develop a 737 replacement rather than the NMA when the MAX gets back in the air. In October, The Air Current reported that the planemaker had spoken to a handful of potential airline and leasing customers on the prospect of what it dubbed the "Future Small Airplane," or a jet that would seat roughly 180-210 passengers.
Whether the Boeing would go forward with a 737 replacement, or the NMA, first once the MAX is flying again was undecided at the time, according to The Air Current.
The prospects for the NMA took a further blow when United Airlines ordered the A321XLR earlier this month. Long a booster of Boeing's proposed widebody, the Chicago-based carrier's commercial chief Andrew Nocella said United continues to consider the possible NMA as a 767 replacement but needed to move forward on the 757 front. United will use the XLR to retire its 757-200 fleet from 2024.
Boeing, Nocella said, did not have an aircraft to sell that has both the capacity of a 757 and the range to cross the Atlantic.
Related: United orders Airbus A321XLR to replace Boeing 757s to Europe
Delta can afford to wait for Boeing to make a decision. GIl West, chief operating officer at the airline, said Thursday that its 757 and 767 retirements have a "more distant horizon," giving it the flexibility to wait for an option from the U.S. planemaker.
The carrier is considering the NMA and aircraft from Airbus, which is understood to include the A321XLR and A330neo, for its mid-sized fleet needs, he said.
Delta operated 116 757-200s and -300s, and 77 767-300ERs and -400ERs at the end of September, its latest fleet plan shows. In addition, it had orders for 100 A321neos -- the platform that the A321XLR is based on -- and 31 A330-900s, among other larger and smaller new aircraft.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.