While I understand that EI have to publicly keep their options open I just cant see the B737MAX being in a strong position for them. They have just spent the last decade converting from mostly B737 to all A320 family, and now dangle the idea that they may switch back 5-7 years from now? And this just after they would be taking delivery of their A359's? And after the A320NEO has been in service.
In relation to the story about the US based EI cabin crew- didn't they know what they were signing up for? Can anyone remember the uproar from the UA staff as 'their' jobs were being stolen from them? I wonder what the margins are on the route, could something like this make it non-viable in its current J/V form?