EMBRAERS, yes...KLM,LUFTY,BA,FLYBE,VIRGIN BLUE,FINNAIR,AITALIA THE LIST GOES ON...ALL MAKING A SUCCESS? SO MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE AIRCRAFT BUT CLOSER TO HOME HMMMMM?
Indeed and there are many in the US with Jet Blue etc. However, the point that is missed by some is the fact that the demographic profile of a 'Gulf Traveller' is completely different to the commuting, business type passenger in the 'developed world' where E-Jets are operated successfully by all the above mentioned and many more.
What's the difference? In a word, baggage. Indeed this is reflected in baggage allowances of 30-40 kgs etc. So on a full flight you simply cannot carry all the bags...not briefcases and overnight bags mind you, but big heavy bags. This of course does not even address cargo, which there is a lot of on most of GF's regional routes.
So, good airplane for what it is designed for but hardly for the Gulf Traveller, only time will tell of course but at what cost?
Interesting bit of trivia for you here is that Jet Blue reckon that their operating cost on their Embraer fleet costs one cent per seat mile more than their A-320s...apples to oranges perhaps, but interesting nevertheless.
"Sorry Sir but we could not carry your bags because the aircraft was full, you will have to come back to the airport to collect them this evening or perhaps tomorrow."
The 319 now is a completely different story, let's hope the rumour is true...no left bags, long thin routes, flexibility, commonality etc. etc. Oh, nearly forgot, also operated by BA, Lufty and company.
But what the hell, at the end of the day we are only drivers (some of us here anyway) so you pay, we fly!
Safe Flying All
PS
And as for Gulf Air closing, this is not entirely possible. As Bahrain Prince Salman will try his best to prevent this from happening
Let's hope you are right....