A321

[giza]

Heard a rumour that BA was buying 4 A321 `s from Aer Lingus, any comments

[A300Man]

I suppose not totally impossible. But sort of flies in the face of the previously announced strategy document where the words of the day was downsizing, downsizing and downsizing.

The A321 capacity is close to that of the B757, which BA are disposing of (albeit I know there are operational savings, etc, etc, ), but the plan was to concentrate the short haul fleet on A319 and A320 (max) size aircraft.

Could this be a sign that BA are at last seeing vast improvements on load factors on certain routes????

The A321's already in the fleet are operated by GB Airways and BMed. Do they have CFM engines, same as the EI machines?

On another note - I miss the 757. Lovely aircraft to fly in. Short take off and launching like a rocket..............whereas the A321 sounds like a hairdryer about to explode

[akerosid]

Fairly unlikely since (apart from the initial ex-BCAL 320s) BA's A32Xs are IAE powered; Aer Lingus's are CFM56 powered. Also, one would think EI's aircraft are pretty well suited to the DUB/LHR route?

[Electric Sky]

BA has recently took over an order placed by Aer Lingus with Airbus ... I think for A320's. The aircraft have been parked up at Toulouse without engines and will be retrofitted with IAE engines for BA.

ES ;)

[Tom the Tenor]

The EI A321s are also pretty suited to the ORK-LHR route, thank you very much. If anything, in time EI will get some A319s as a BAe 146 & Boeing 737-500 replacement? Hope so, anyway!

[A321]

Air Canada just picked up 3 used A321's form Air France this past month to add to its fleet of 9 factory fresh A321's. :rolleyes:

[Rwy in Sight]

Akerosid made me thinking.

Why BA botherd with IAE for their own A32X when they already operated CFM because of the BCAL order as well as on their own B737 Classic.


Maybe CFM failed to live to the expectation?

Rwy

[cirrus01]

BA has a history of dubious decisions with regard to Engine choice.............bean counters having their way.


757 s with the discontinued 535 C

767 s which they insisted had to have the 524

Half a fleet of 777s with the rotating disaster..........


:D :eek: :eek:

[Dan-Air London]

The rotating disaster - I like it Cirrus. Nice description.

My sources suggest that they will NOT go for the A321. However, my sources are regulars in The Three Magpies, so take what you will from their credibility.............

[cirrus01]

You would get a better class of rumour down at the "King Billy" !!!

:D :D :D

[Hot Wings]

Interesting rumour - so much for Future Size and Shape. Also rumoured is that 6 767s and 2 757s will be returning to the line - hence the need for 126 new F/Os and 80 additional 757/767 commands.

I guess the beancounters have finally realised that you can't run Waterworld on A319s full of passengers travelling on discounted tickets. One of these days they'll also figure out that it makes no sense flying 747-400s around with 270 pax - 1/3 invol. upgrades!

Future Size and Shape MkII has arrived.:D

Rotating disaster - sums up BA's management style.;)

[NigelOnDraft]

Speaking with someone somewhat "in the know" at BA mgmt yesterday, they would love A321s, but only "at the right price".

Bear in mind there's a fleet of A32xs sitting at ZRH waiting for new owners...

<<Also rumoured is that 6 767s and 2 757s will be returning to the line - hence the need for 126 new F/Os and 80 additional 757/767 commands.>>
Now that rumour I do like!

<<but the plan was to concentrate the short haul fleet on A319 and A320 (max) size aircraft. >>
That was last weeks plan. We are now back using 767s on SH routes due PAX / Slots (lack of) / stupid Ayling plan to downsize aircraft (having just told the T5 enquiry we would all upsize?!)

NoD

[The maddest cat]

It was reported months ago that BA had cancelled 4 out of 8 orders as A318 the launch customer, due to late certification of P&W engines, so swapped for 4 A321s instead! Probably won't fly the other 4 either but are contract bound to do so. Will be leased out.

Hardly anyone left now for P&W A318s and with the collaspe of Dornier a big mistake cancelling the BAE RJs methinks.

[norodnik]

According to AL Magazine, Sept issue, page 72, BA is purchasing an unfinished A320-200 that was due to go to Aer Lingus.

The picture shows the aircraft in outside storage minus tail/engines etc and has been outside since July, due for delivery later this year

Does not mention 321's or anything else

[Smokie]

Heard that FlyBE. have put in a bid, they're looking to base one in GLA and BHD, the other two in BHX. ;) ;)

[LAF]

The problem with the A321 has been, and always will be, range.It is hopless when compared to the 757 and would reduce seriously BAs future route flexibility.

[Hand Solo]

Hang on, you can stick 18 tonnes of fuel on a 319 and take it across the Atlantic. I can't imagine the 321 being particularly limiting on a short haul European network.

[Tom the Tenor]

Earlier in the spring there was comment about one of the Canadian airlines whose name escapes me just now operating summer charters with A319s from Halifax and St Johns to Gatwick. Just curious to know if this ever came to pass? Thank you!:)

[Norman Stanley Fletcher]

A300 Man: GB currently have 2 A321s in service with another one to follow towards the end of the year. All of their A320s/321s have IAE engines.

[giza]

Have also heard rumour that 4 B767 returning to shorthaul ops, NWB already in major maint for prep, 3 more returning from desert. Reasoning, to use on major trunk routes to free up slots for flights tx from GTW. Do not think B757 will return, BA still have 15 E4 engined A/C in operation for foreseeable future.

[A300Man]

I love the 757. Best aircraft I have ever flown in.

[PaperTiger]

There are different tankage options.
A321s operate PHL-LAX and YYZ-YYJ (Victoria BC) over here. For which BA short-hauls would they be range-limited ?