F+ Rouge From France, joined May 2000, 210 posts, RR: 1 Posted (12 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 956 times:
Hi folks,
What do you think about the future of the B 737 in (Western) Europe. At the moment there are still some important fleets of -300, -400 and -500 aircraft in service with European flag carriers, but there aren't any orders that have been placed recently in order to replace them with the new generation series.
On the contrary! Most European carriers have purchased Airbus A 32S aircraft for their narrow body fleet. As a result, with each retirement of a B 737 in Europe, the Airbus fleets become bigger and bigger and Boeing is going further towards extinction.
Among the rare exceptions are KLM, the Dutch flag carrier and - until recently SAS - as well as some charter airlines.
All the rest, including the most important flag carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Iberia, Sabena, Swissair, Austrian Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and last bot not least British Airways have become dedicated Airbus customers now.
Do you think that Boeing will manage the change for the better or is it more likely that, for a long time, they will not sell any narrow bodies to major European operators any more?
Tupolev154B2 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1332 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (12 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 916 times:
Swissair, Sabena and Austrian will probably never order 737NG's since they have committed themselves to an all-Airbus fleet.
777x From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (12 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 911 times:
Well, it seems that most of the major European carriers have made their decision (for A32X), and it's extremely unlikely that any of those will purchase 737NG's.
However, the 737 is still going strong in Europe, with many other carriers ordering the 737NG
to list a few
Braathens
Easyjet
Hapag-Lloyd
KLM (as you noted)
SAS (except for the A321 they went for 737NG)
Lauda
Olympic
Ryanair
Bavaria
as well as others, so you'll see the 737 around Europe for some time to come
I think one of the major reasons for this is that the aircraft commonality plays much better with the European carriers as the pilot unions do not object (in most cases) to cross qualification, whereas in the US it's a non starter
American 767 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 3320 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (12 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 895 times:
You didn't mention Virgin Express.
They have ordered, not long ago, B737-700's. They are based in Brussels and they currently fly the 300 and 400. The first 700 is expected next year, if not next year, 2002.
CityBird also has ordered NG737's, I beleive 800's.
Isn't Britannia operating the 800? I think they do. Britannia has always had an all Boeing fleet.
Hapag-Lloyd was the launch customer for the 800 and SAS was the launch customer for the 600. Two of the four NG models were launched by European airlines.
Ben Soriano
Brussels Belgium
"Aimer jusqu'a l'impossible, c'est possible". Tina Arena.
Flumuc From Germany, joined Oct 1999, 392 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (12 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 892 times:
Hapag Lloyd will probably buy the B767-400, too. They decide between A330-200 and B767-400.
Bavaria is not an airline, its an aircraft leasing company.
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