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Comment by dawnerd | Hacker News Reader

What choice do they have? If they switch to Airbus they’re going to be waiting until at least 2030. They could buy used but that’s goes against why airlines are ordering new planes to begin with. And that’s not factoring in the maintenance cost in switching manufacturers. Thats why you’ll see airlines be a Boeing or Airbus only fleet.

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They could buy the excellent Bombardier C-Series instead. Oh, wait it had to be sold to Airbus after Boeing killed it by lobbying for 300% US import tariffs on it (it's now become the Airbus A220).

_Fuck_ the new Boeing.

I have seen this 2030 number posted a couple of times now. Is this validated information? Is it really such a long wait to get an airplane from Airbus?

Yes, their order book for the A320Neo is that full. As is Boeings for the 737 if I remember correctly. One can always pay more and hope someone else is cancelling so, this approach ain't working at scale so. And in the case of Airbus, that is based on a delivery rate of around 60 aircraft, single aisle only, per month already.

Do you think it is better to buy a plane that potentially going to be grounded than wait?

I'm not saying I support how the 737 MAX program was executed but at least you have a plane that is potentially flying versus not having one at all.

Yes, because you get revenue from a plane that is "potentially" going to be grounded, and you don't get anything from sitting around.

and the manufacturer can be held liable for lost revenue so even if the AC is grounded, you can get some $$$

Makes sense!

The counter point to operating one type is on display here: if the regulator grounds the type, your whole airline is stuck.

The only thing that eliminates/highlights issues is time. The 320 and 220 are faced with major engine issues and groundings due to looks at notes not QAing the metal powder used in the sintering process for over 8 years.

Except Alaska is an all Boeing 737 airline and they are still operating. Only some of the planes are grounded.

There have been basically no engine development program ever that had no reliability issues. The big problem is the maintenance backlog. The A320 NEO btw has more then 1 engine option.

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