797 From Venezuela, joined Aug 2005, 1821 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (7 years 8 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 2050 times:
Oh No!
That can't be!
I thought they were bringing this a/c back for at least a couple of years now.
Hope they don't take them out like this!
I'll search for info.
Greetz!
Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous!
Alitalia744 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 4657 posts, RR: 45 Reply 6, posted (7 years 8 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1961 times:
AZ has 5 MD11s in the fleet, all combi's.
2 a/c have been converted to freighters.
1 a/c is undergoing conversion.
2 a/c are currently serving pax destinations - IAD and BOM/DEL. If IAD is going back to 763, it means they're allocating the M11s to India. BOM/DEL do go to 763 next year as the remaining M11s are converted.
AZ desperately needs additional long-haul capactiy. Their long-haul future fleet is based on 14 777s and 15 or so 763s.
Baw716 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1995 posts, RR: 31 Reply 11, posted (7 years 8 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1612 times:
It was my understanding of late that AZ was attempting to lease more 777s and 763s. The MD11 (M1M) combi has awful economics in a combi configuration unless you are hauling a lot of cargo. My sense is that the markets they are flying with the M1M are not profitable because they don't generate that much cargo. The 763 has roughly the same number of seats and is more efficient than the M1M, so it would make sense to pull it from the winter schedule and put it in the hanger.
If they do acquire another four to five aircraft, any combination of 777s or 763s (probably more 763s, since it is a low density aircraft with long legs (up to 5800 miles..west coast USA to Milan for example), then they can dump the MD11s and convert them to cargo as they had originally planned. The advantage is that the combis converted to cargo would only have to have one cargo door installed instead of the normal two, since one is already there. I believe all the M11 (all pax) have already been converted to freighters. If any of my friends in Italy can confirm that, I'd appreciate that.
On a personal note, the AZ 763 is a fabulous airplane. Config: 30/175. The contoured seats in Economy are slimlined and a little firm, but what recline and leg space! Magnifica on the 763 is not Magnifica on the 777 for sure, but it is more intimate and on the really long flights, the crew does little extra stuff that makes each flight unique and special. I would fly them again anytime to Italy, no matter what class I fly.
A mio amici en Alitalia, buona fortuna!
Ciao a presto
David Lamb
ex capo commerciale (Area Manager)
Alitalia Northern California
1998-2002
(baw716)
David L. Lamb, fmr Area Mgr Alitalia SFO 1998-2002, fmr Regional Analyst SFO-UAL 1992-1998
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