BOEING787 From India, joined May 2004, 158 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 3109 times:
Effective October 1st NWA is finally replacing the aircraft type from DC10-30 to Airbus A330-200 on its lucrative route to Mumbai. As load factor is usually high on this route they could have used a 744 instead! Any insights into this move?
M404 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2213 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 3036 times:
I wondered why the DC-10 that returned to AMS because of the "disturbance" only had 125 pax on board if this flight was usually higher. Perhaps India is being overserved by the glut of new carriers.
Less sarcasm and more thought equal better understanding
Nimish From India, joined Feb 2005, 3076 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 2987 times:
Quoting M404 (Reply 1): I wondered why the DC-10 that returned to AMS because of the "disturbance" only had 125 pax on board if this flight was usually higher
As discussed on that thread, it was a mid-week flight, in a usually slow part of the year.
PSU.DTW.SCE From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 6867 posts, RR: 29 Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 2609 times:
The A330-200 offers the closest replacement to the DC-10. The 744 would have been way too big for the route, along with the fact that NW does not operate the 744 through AMS.
Thus, the A330-200 offers more WBC seats than the DC-10, which along with the lower operating costs will offset the reduction in coach seats. NW will likely reduce the number of cheap seats in order to increase yields.
BlrBird From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 577 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2426 times:
It will be interesting to see whether loads on this route will change once non-stop US service by Delta and Air India start from BOM.
Jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7343 posts, RR: 7 Reply 7, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2243 times:
Why would an airline want the distinction of "last DC-10 flight"? NW should have dumped these birds long ago, why they never got 767 is beyond me.
Ejmmsu From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1692 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2060 times:
With the Avod and powerports, this is certainly good news for passengers.
"If the facts do not conform to the theory, they will have to be disposed of"
DesertFlyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 474 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 1977 times:
I flew on both the A330-300 and the DC-10-30 this summer on NW MSP-AMS-MSP. Overall, the DC-10 was much nicer and more comfortable. The wider cabin really gives you a lot of head space. The A330 seats in coach were horrible. AVOD is nice, but the seats really hurt my neck. My uncle on the flight also complained a bit that it was vibrating a lot, but it didn't bother me. Many of NW DC-10s are not even as old as WN's older 737.
Just in case someone wants to say I am bias to one manufacturer over another, I am not in the slightest. I would have really liked the A330 if it wasn't for the seats. The downstairs crew rest was very cool. Also our go-around at MSP was quite powerful and fun.
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 10, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1924 times:
Quoting Jfk777 (Reply 7): NW should have dumped these birds long ago, why they never got 767 is beyond me.
What's wrong with flying DC-10s? They presumably have low leasing/financing costs, if they aren't already all paid for, and I'm sure Northwest has decided that for the time being, the higher fuel, payroll and maintenance costs are justified.
They didn't order the 767 because it's got significantly poorer cargo capabilities and that is/was important to them.
TZTriStar500 From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1419 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1816 times:
Quoting AirxLiban (Reply 10): What's wrong with flying DC-10s? They presumably have low leasing/financing costs, if they aren't already all paid for, and I'm sure Northwest has decided that for the time being, the higher fuel, payroll and maintenance costs are justified.
This is precisely the reason TZ is looking at them. If L-1011s are profitable in the military charter operation, then DC-10s will certainly be as well with the advantages of abundant spares and manufacturer support.
TZ is about to sign an LOI to purchase 7 of NW's remaining operational DC-10 fleet. The L-1011s MUST be replaced and this is the most logical choice since the business case for 767-300ERs now does not make sense with scarce availability and inflated lease rates. The DC-10s are viewed as a 5 year interim measure until there is a glut of 767-300ERs in the market that are to be replaced by 787s.
35 years of American Trans Air/ATA Airlines, 1973-2008. A great little airline that will not be soon forgotten.
Sponsor Message: 
From India, joined May 2004, 158 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2213 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Germany, joined May 2006, 494 posts, 
From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
