Originally Posted by
DaveReidUK
Notwithstanding the thread title, it's not about SWA's replacement for the 737-700, but about adding a second, smaller-gauge type to the fleet to serve thin routes. The consensus appears to be that that's not about to happen.
Point being, reliance on one manufacturer is hurting a couple of airlines. Though replacement for the 700 may not be the immediate need, pickle fork impact on maintenance and ops bottom line notwithstanding, beginning the process of adding a second type may be a prudent move in any case. If you look at their route map, their coverage in north central/western US is non-existent - mostly service by Alaska, United, etc. with regionals that charge just as high a price as their namesake partners. A220 may not be the right answer, but nothing coming out of Boeing in the near future.